Natural Saltwater Pearls
Early 20th Century Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Link Necklaces
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Brown Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Early 20th Century Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Natural Pearl, Topaz, Imperial Topaz, 18k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 1880s French Victorian Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Belle Époque Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Cufflinks
Pearl, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Jade, Natural Pearl, Enamel
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches
Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold
2010s Italian Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique 19th Century British Early Victorian Beaded Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Rose Gold, Silver
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Multi-Strand Necklaces
Emerald, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s British Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Drop Earrings
Platinum
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century American Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Solitaire Rings
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum
20th Century More Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
European Link Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl
Vintage 1930s English Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
French Cocktail Rings
Natural Pearl, Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
Unknown Choker Necklaces
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Bracelets
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Brooches
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century German Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century British Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1
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.