Natural Saltwater Pearls
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Brooches
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Mid-20th Century French Cluster Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond, Garnet, Natural Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silve...
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Fashion Rings
Natural Pearl, Onyx, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1910s Belgian Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s North American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl
20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s French Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century American Beaded Necklaces
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau More Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Choker Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Diamond
20th Century American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold
20th Century British Multi-Strand Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Multi-Strand Necklaces
Natural Pearl
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1870s Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Engagement Rings
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1740s Georgian Dome Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold...
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Clip-on Earrings
Early 20th Century Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1860s Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18...
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Edwardian More Rings
Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Natural Pearl, Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Link Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold
Antique 1880s Belle Époque Bangles
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Austrian Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
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Natural Saltwater Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Natural Saltwater Pearls?
The Legacy of Pearl in Jewelry Design
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, there are natural pearls left. However, most have been harvested so they are extremely rare. Cultured pearls are still authentic pearls but more readily available. You’ll find a variety of pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the size and quality, a natural pearl can be worth up to $1,500. In most cases, natural pearls are worth more than cultured pearls.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Paspaley pearls are cultured — that is, the pearl-growing process is initiated by pearl farmers. Paspaley is known today as one of the finest suppliers of cultured pearls in the world. Shop a collection of genuine Paspaley pearl jewelry from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.