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Pearl Necklaces

Since antiquity, pearls have been a coveted commodity both for their beauty and their fantastical beginnings. Early cultures developed fanciful origin stories for the luminous spheres. Ancient Greeks and Romans, for instance, thought pearls formed after oysters swallowed dewdrops.

Later, Renaissance and Baroque cultures assumed the pearl was the oyster’s egg. By the 18th century, the actual origin a pearl’s formation had been deduced, but its celebrity was already established.

One of the early challenges of incorporating pearls into necklace strands was the fact that, since they are a product of nature, they are rarely uniformly round. This uniformity is important, as it will determine the lay of the strand along the neckline. Some elaborate pearl necklaces over history waited months, if not years, for the necessary pearls to be discovered.

In the late 19th century, however, the cultured pearl was developed. These pearls, which involve manual rather than natural seeding, are grown in farm beds and typically result in more uniform shapes and sizes.


Quick Facts

  • During the Byzantine era, many thought that pearls provided resistance against disease. This is why the famous 7th-century mosaic of Empress Theodora at Italy’s Basilica of Ravenna depicts her wearing a headdress bedecked with dangling pearl strands
  • According to jewelry lore, Jacques Cartier, descendent of the family lineage of the Cartier jewelry brand, purchased his store location on New York’s Fifth Avenue in the early 20th century in exchange for two spectacular pearl necklaces
  • The largest cultured pearl recorded is the Paspaley Pearl. Measuring roughly 20.4 millimeters, the pearl is almost 50 percent larger than the average cultured pearl and is one of the most perfectly round cultured pearls ever produced

Recommended Items at Auction

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Five strand freshwater pearl necklace
Feb 21, 3:00 PM AEDT
Five strand freshwater pearl necklace
by Lawsons
Est: AUD400- AUD600
AUD20013 Bids
14K Gold Bead and Pearl Necklace
Feb 20, 6:00 PM EST
14K Gold Bead and Pearl Necklace
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $10- $1,000
$18010 Bids
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Barse Mother Of Pearl Necklace W Sterling Clasp
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Barse Mother Of Pearl Necklace W Sterling Clasp
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$338 Bids
Graduating Akoya pearl necklace with sterling silver clasp (L:52cm)
Feb 20, 1:00 PM AEDT
Graduating Akoya pearl necklace with sterling silver clasp (L:52cm)
by Lawsons
Est: AUD150- AUD250
AUD1708 Bids
Freshwater pearl necklace with 9CT. gold ball clasp
Feb 21, 3:00 PM AEDT
Freshwater pearl necklace with 9CT. gold ball clasp
by Lawsons
Est: AUD120- AUD180
AUD406 Bids
18 Karat Yellow Gold, Pearl, Onyx and Citrine Triple Strand Necklace
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
18 Karat Yellow Gold, Pearl, Onyx and Citrine Triple Strand Necklace
by Abell Auction
Est: $200- $400
$2004 Bids
Sterling Silver 925 Judith Ripka Pearl Jewelry Necklaces
Feb 20, 6:00 PM EST
Sterling Silver 925 Judith Ripka Pearl Jewelry Necklaces
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $10- $10,000
$1004 Bids
GOLDEN CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
GOLDEN CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE
by Freeman’s | Hindman
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,7004 Bids
Two pearl neck-chains
Mar 05, 10:00 AM GMT
Two pearl neck-chains
by Lyon & Turnbull
Est: £300- £500
£1503 Bids
MULTI-STRAND PEARL & 14K GOLD NECKLACE
Feb 24, 6:00 PM PST
MULTI-STRAND PEARL & 14K GOLD NECKLACE
by O'Gallerie
Est: $200- $300
$1102 Bids
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MIKIMOTO 6.5-7.8mm Graduated Pearl Necklace w/Box
Feb 21, 4:00 PM EST
MIKIMOTO 6.5-7.8mm Graduated Pearl Necklace w/Box
by Gallery 63
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$3002 Bids
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Four Pearl Necklaces
Feb 22, 3:00 PM AEST
Four Pearl Necklaces
by Roxbury's Auction House
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD51 Bid
A Freshwater Pearl & Malachite Bead Necklace with Sterling Silver Bolt Clasp
Mar 02, 11:00 AM AEDT
A Freshwater Pearl & Malachite Bead Necklace with Sterling Silver Bolt Clasp
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD501 Bid
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Two 14K Pearl Necklaces
Feb 22, 3:00 PM PST
Two 14K Pearl Necklaces
by Clark's Auction Company
Est: $200- $400
$1001 Bid
Fine Cultured Pearl Necklace with 14K Yellow Gold Clasp
Feb 23, 11:00 AM EST
Fine Cultured Pearl Necklace with 14K Yellow Gold Clasp
by Collective Hudson, LLC
Est: $400- $4,000
$3001 Bid
GOLDEN CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
GOLDEN CULTURED PEARL NECKLACE
by Freeman’s | Hindman
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$7501 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Pearl Necklaces


Lawsons

Lawsons

Kendzia

Kendzia

Henry's Auktionshaus

Henry's Auktionshaus

Clars Auctions

Clars Auctions