Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Late 20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Art Deco Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Jade, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
20th Century English Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century North American Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
20th Century North American Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1970s Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Jade, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1950s British Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Amethyst, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Late 20th Century Modernist Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Cultured Pearl, 10k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White...
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Spinel, Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
1990s French Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Crystal, Base Metal
Late 20th Century French Baroque Revival Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Gilt Metal
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum
1970s Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Jade, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Gold, White Gold
1950s Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Ruby, White Gold
20th Century Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Quartz
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Gold-filled
1970s European Romantic Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Unknown Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
1960s Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Deco Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
1960s Unknown Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Art Deco Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1990s French Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp
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Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Vintage Pearl Necklace Clasp?
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.
- Do real pearls have a clasp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, real pearls can be on a strand with a clasp. The addition of a clasp has nothing to do with determining if the pearls are real or fake. The clasp is simply a design aspect for the piece of jewelry. Always purchase real pearls from a reputable seller to ensure authenticity. Shop a large collection of authentic pearl jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a pearl clasp?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A pearl clasp is an opening and closing device that holds a necklace together - in this case, a pearl necklace. The clasp works by hooking one end of the necklace into the other end and locking in place. Shop a collection of expertly vetted jewelry from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Clasp design on vintage necklaces vary significantly, so there’s no uniform way to open and close a clasp. Research the specific type of necklace to find resources on the style of clasp. On 1stDibs, you'll find a collection of vintage necklaces from some of the world's top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To put a clasp on a pearl necklace, enlist the help of an experienced jeweler or jewelry repair shop. The strings commonly used to produce pearl necklaces are very delicate. Attempting to add a clasp on your own could damage your necklace. Find a variety of pearl necklaces on 1stDibs.
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