Sterling Pearl Brooch
Mid-20th Century American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Oriental Pearl, Sterling Silver, Silver
1990s Japanese Cufflinks
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Marcasite, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Multi-Strand Necklaces
Garnet, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Pearl, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Sterling Silver, Silver
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Georgian Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Late 20th Century Art Deco Stud Earrings
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s American Native American Necklace Enhancers
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century Unknown Georgian Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Collectible Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling ...
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold,...
20th Century Art Deco Brooches
Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Sterling Silver, Vermeil
Early 20th Century Unknown Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Brooches
Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Natural Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1960s Danish Modernist Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s American Artisan Brooches
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Brown Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby
Antique 1850s French Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Brooches
Marcasite, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mexican Brooches
Turquoise, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold, 9k Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Brooches
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold...
2010s Italian Artisan Brooches
Onyx, Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
Pearl, Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yell...
Italian Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Cultured Pearl
Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Brooches
Garnet, Oriental Pearl, Pearl, Gilt Metal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Black Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Moonstone, Natural Pearl, Opal, Pearl, ...
Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Artisan Brooches
Onyx, Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Antique 1850s British Victorian Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Sapph...
Early 20th Century Austrian Jugendstil Sterling Silver
Silver
Mid-20th Century Regency More Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Silver
2010s American Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Freshwater Pearl, Brass, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s Japanese Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Plat...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Plat...
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
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Sterling Pearl Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Sterling Pearl Brooch?
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 Brooches for You
Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like Gucci, Versace, Dior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step.
Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.
At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.
Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.
Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
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This David Webb Coral Flower Brooch Is Better Than a Bouquet
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This Gem-Encrusted Boucheron Brooch Is a Symbol of Mid-Century Glamour and Clever Design
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The Editor of ‘Town & Country’ Loves Jewelry and History in Equal Measure
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