Pearl Cross Pendant
Antique Late 19th Century Drop Necklaces
Pearl, 15k Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Late Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
Antique 1880s English Victorian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Labradorite, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver Plate
20th Century French Beaded Necklaces
Late 20th Century Italian Byzantine Enamel Frames and Objects
Black Pearl, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century European Edwardian Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Neoclassical Beaded Necklaces
Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Brass, Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century Drop Necklaces
Emerald, Natural Pearl, Chalcedony
Vintage 1980s French Drop Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Moonstone, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver Plate, Brass, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Brass, Enamel, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Pearl
Vintage 1980s French Baroque More Necklaces
Antique 15th Century and Earlier French Choker Necklaces
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 18th Century British Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Pendant Necklaces
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1850s Unknown Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold
20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Pendant Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Austrian Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Amethyst, Silver, Enamel
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Greek Revival Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Austrian Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Silver
Antique 1880s French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s American Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Bronze
Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, Enamel
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Coral, Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Antique 1870s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1820s British George III Pendant Necklaces
Carnelian, Oriental Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s German Modern Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
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Pearl Cross Pendant For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Pearl Cross Pendant?
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.
Finding the Right Pendant-necklaces for You
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The meaning of a cross pendant is generally that it is a symbol of the Christian faith. It represents a person’s belief, provides comfort for the wearer, and promotes awareness of the religion. Cross pendants have been worn for centuries and are popular today. Shop a range of antique and vintage cross pendants on 1stDibs.
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