Natural Saltwater Pearls
Early 20th Century Art Deco Chain Bracelets
Natural Pearl, Imperial Topaz, Platinum
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian More Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian More Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau More Jewelry
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century European Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Renaissance Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, Gold, Enamel
Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Dangle Earrings
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl
20th Century French Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern More Rings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1930s Unknown Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Peridot, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Edwardian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Vanity Items
Pearl, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Russian Belle Époque Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Bangles
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century English Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1880s European Victorian Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold
Vintage 1910s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Unknown Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Belle Époque Link Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 1850s English High Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, White Diamond, Pearl, Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver, Yellow G...
Vintage 1920s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique 1890s Unknown Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1920s Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Belle Époque Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Stud Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian More Jewelry
White Diamond, Natural Pearl
20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique 18th Century Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Retro Dangle Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Platinum, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Charm Bracelets
Coral, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, Pl...
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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 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.
- 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.