Pearl Buttons. Pearls are often used to accentuate other gemstones. The most valuable pearls are those which are formed naturally. These are very rare. The majority of pearls are cultured. They are all real pearls but in cultured pearls, man has helped the oyster on it’s way. It is virtually impossible to tell the difference between a cultured and natural pearl without X-rays. In natural pearls concentric lines may be apparent.
[cfgeo include=”GB”][/cfgeo]
[cfgeo exclude=”GB”][/cfgeo]
Below are some examples and price guides of pearl buttons including a cultured pearl and garnet dress set and a pearl and an onyx and seed pearl button.
Gold, Cultured Pearl, Green Garnet and Diamond Dress Set 14 & 18 kt., pair of cufflinks & 4 studs, 2 pearls ap. 8.2 mm., 4 pearls ap. 7.5 mm., 24 round diamonds ap. 1.25 cts., round green garnets, one missing, ap. 20 dwts
Sold for $1,125 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2020
Button ca. 1780 Hungarian
Pearl and Sapphire
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Royal Jewels Onyx and seed pearl button 1879 with the initial ‘A’ set with seed pearls, upon an onyx cabochon, with portrait miniature of Princess Alice of the United Kingdom verso, the reverse inscribed From Mama VRI 7th April 1879
Sold for 18,900 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2021
Pair of white kidskin boots with pearl buttons and medium heel
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
