January 4th, 2009 by Reck

The exquisite and intricate workmanship of vintage pearl jewelry are what sets this bodily ornament several bars above everything else. Pearl jewelry used to stand out in ancient times particularly because this gemstone was not that easy to harvest, and most certainly not that easy to match. In order for one jeweler to create a bracelet of same colored, same hued, same shaped, and same sized pearls, months and years of searching may be due. Back then, all pearls were naturally occurring, and the techniques and methods for culturing pearls were still in its infancy. This made pearl jewelry very, very expensive during that age, not cheap vintage clothes.

Also, perfectly round pearls were quite rare in natural settings. These are the ones most highly valued for its perfect symmetry and luminescence. Akoya pearls (teardrop shaped) and baroque pearls (spherical shaped) were more common – but not so common that the man on the street could afford to buy one on a whim. Matching pearl jewelry pieces were so rare that during its heyday, only royalty could afford to wear them. However, some jewelers developed techniques to accentuate one or more pearls into silver and gold settings. Here, the intricate workmanship that many jewelers had developed helped turn singular or non-matching pearl pieces into exquisite pieces of art.

In the modern era, vintage pearl jewelry is even pricier than ever before. The pearls usually darken in color a bit but retain its luminescent glow. Although there are now new “vintage” pearl jewelries (at more affordable prices), these newer creations still cannot compare to the vintage pieces when it comes to the value of the natural pearls, or the exquisite design, or the intricate workmanship of the jewels.

Vintage Pavé Rhinestone and Faux Pearl Brooch-Goldette US $5.50 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 21:54:38 PST Add to watch list

Vintage faux Pearl 4 Strand Graduated bead Necklace US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 21:55:13 PST Add to watch list

LOVELY VINTAGE GUMPS GUMP'S JADE CORAL PEARL BROOCH PIN US $74.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:05:27 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE PEARL NECKLACE 14 K YELLOW GOLD US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:17:07 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE PEARL NECKLACE 14 K WHITE GOLD US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:17:25 PST Add to watch list

Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Pearl Brooch Pin Fine Jewelry US $499.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:17:27 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE PEARL NECKLACE WITH PIN ATTATCHMENT US $99.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:18:15 PST Add to watch list

Vintage SWEATER CLIP Gold Tone Faux Pearl Flowers CUTE US $3.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:21:25 PST Add to watch list

Vintage LIDZ BRO GOLD STAFF BROOCH STICK PIN Faux Pearl US $6.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:22:32 PST Add to watch list

vintage 3row white faux pearls & crystal beads bracelet US $14.90 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:24:15 PST Add to watch list

Bakelite vintage Mandolin pin. Inlaid mother of pearl. US $35.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:25:15 PST Add to watch list

AZAARA Pearl Bead Hoop Earrings Vintage Style $80 US $56.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:25:42 PST Add to watch list

VTG ABALONE SEA SHELL PEARL GOLD BEADED NECKLACE US $49.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:28:37 PST Add to watch list

Vintage Glentex Pearl Necklace - Gorgeous!! US $14.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:33:55 PST Add to watch list

Vintage BOUCHER Signed Twisted Link Faux Pearl Bracelet US $26.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:40:16 PST Add to watch list

7 inch long pearl Vintage Bracelet Great Clasp No Res! US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:40:22 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE GOLDTONE LAMP POST BROOCH w/PEARL LIGHT US $3.11 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:45:18 PST Add to watch list

FAUX PEARL & RHINESTONE NECKLACE VINTAGE JEWELRY #697 US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:48:22 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE SWOBODA SIGNED~OPEN HEART PEARL PIN BROOCH US $27.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:50:03 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE EARRINGS ROUND DOME LUMINOUS FAUX BIG PEARLS US $5.97 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:57:12 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE NECKLACE HONG KONG 2 ROWS BLUE TEAL FAUX PEARLS US $14.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:57:51 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE 25" NECKLACE 6 STRANDS NICE WHITE FAUX PEARLS US $14.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:58:07 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE PENDANT FLOWER CROSS RHINESTONE FAUX PEARL DISC US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 22:59:52 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE NECKLACE 39" LONG MOTHER OF PEARL & GOLD BEADS US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:00:01 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE NECKLACE 3 STRAND BIG FAUX PEARLS WHITE & GRAY US $12.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:02:03 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE NECKLACE CLEOPATRA COLLAR SHAWL OF FAUX PEARLS US $39.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:03:01 PST Add to watch list

Vintage Estate Pearl Tassel Dangle Earrings 14K Gold US $999.00 End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:08:18 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE GOLD EARRINGS ELEGANT LARGE FAUX PEARL OVALS US $6.97 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:16:42 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE EARRINGS HUGE EMBOSSED GOLD OVALS FAUX PEARLS US $9.97 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:16:53 PST Add to watch list

VINTAGE EARRINGS LARGE FAUX PEARL OVALS & RHINESTONES US $7.97 (0 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Mar-09-2010 23:19:54 PST Add to watch list