You are likely to find exactly the 20 inch south sea pearl you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from
gold,
18k gold and
yellow gold — can elevate any look. Find an antique version now, or shop for 181 vintage or 79 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. If you’re looking for a 20 inch south sea pearl from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic 20 inch south sea pearl over the years, but those made by
Buccellati,
David Webb and
Mikimoto are often thought to be among the most beautiful. While most can agree that any 20 inch south sea pearl from our collection can easily elevate most outfits, but the choice of a
pearl version from the 219 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. See these pages for a
round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also
bead cut and
brilliant cut cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 20 inch south sea pearl, you’ll find that many are available today for
women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and
men.
Prices for a 20 inch south sea pearl can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $208 and can go as high as $350,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,750.
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.