Tahitian Black Pearls
2010s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Emerald, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cuff Bracelets
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Link Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Charm Bracelets
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Japanese Modern Choker Necklaces
Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Emerald, Sapphire, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Black Pearl, Pearl, Vermeil, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary More Objets d Art an...
Black Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Black Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Stud Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Engagement Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Stud Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Modern Drop Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Fashion Rings
Pearl, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Whi...
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Drop Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Aquamarine, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Necklace Enhancers
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Modern Stud Earrings
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, W...
2010s British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Cluster Rings
Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cuff Bracelets
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Oriental Pearl, Natural Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Black ...
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Byzantine Chain Necklaces
Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Tahitian Black Pearls For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Tahitian Black Pearls?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.
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 ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because the dark color of tahitian black pearls makes them so exotic, they can be more valuable. Depending on quality and size a strand can cost between $500 and $25000.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A gray, rainbow or gold hue is popular with respect to Tahitian pearls. These pearls would make a unique pendant or a charm for a bracelet. Shop a collection of vintage and modern Tahitian pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- Are black pearls real pearls?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, some black pearls are real pearls. Genuine black pearls typically come from Tahiti, sourced from black-lip pearl oysters. Some jewelry features synthetic black pearls created in laboratories. Explore a selection of black pearl jewelry from some of the world's top dealers on 1stDibs.
- What do black pearls symbolize?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What black pearls symbolize is largely a matter of personal opinion. Some people associate them with mystery due to their color. Others believe they represent mental strength, wealth or freedom. You'll find a variety of black pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
- Is a black pearl rare?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Because black pearls only form when sand is trapped in a specific type of oyster, the Tahitian black-lipped Pinctada, they are very rare. Black pearls occur once in every 10,000 pearls.