Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Silver
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1970s Japanese Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Onyx, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
1980s European Romantic Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Japanese Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl
1970s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Japanese Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Gold
1990s Asian Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century Japanese Edwardian Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Mid-20th Century Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1970s German Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Japanese Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl
1990s French Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Chalcedony, Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl
Late 20th Century Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Silver
1970s Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
1950s American Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Japanese Edwardian Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Cultured Pearl, Silver
Late 20th Century American Artisan Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Thai Art Deco Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, Topaz, White Gold
1960s Dutch Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Artisan Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1990s Unknown Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Romantic Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, Quartz, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Akoya Pearl Necklace?
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 Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To determine whether a pearl necklace is modern or vintage, first look for signs of wear, such as blunted edges on the prongs. The pearls will likely have dull spots where they came into contact with skin. The clasp can clue you in, too. Lobster clasps appeared in the 1970s, while early 20th century clasps were generally safety-pin style or C-clasps. Modern necklaces typically have a spring-loaded clasp. Shop a selection of vintage pearl jewelry on 1stDibs.
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