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19th Century Antique Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Vienna, c. 1880s This classic Victorian era crescent moon brooch is crafted in silver-topped 14K
Category

Antique 19th Century Austrian Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Crescent moon bangle, Sapphire and Diamond, 9k gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
A gorgeous antique Victorian era Sapphire and Diamond bangle in 9ct yellow gold. A pretty openwork
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Half Moon Crescent Brooch
Located in Milano, MI
Gorgeous antique half moon crescent brooch. Set in silver and gold with rose cut diamonds and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique Crescent Moon With Rose Diamonds And Gold Repousse'
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful Antique Rose Diamond Crescent Moon Pendant circa 1890. The diamonds are framed in a
Category

Antique 1880s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Edwardian Diamond & Pearl Crescent Moon Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Crescent Moon Pendant 18ct Yellow Gold Tested Circa 1910 This exquisite antique pendant
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Silver 4.93ctw Old Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
crescent moon. The diamonds graduate inside from the centre of the moon and are set in pinched silver
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Silver

Antique Victorian Crescent Moon Pendant Opal Diamond 18k Gold Celestial Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Elaborate antique Victorian diamond & opal crescent moon pendant crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 9ct Gold & Silver, Victorian Sapphire Diamond Crescent Moon Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Crescent Pendant 9ct Yellow Gold & Silver Tested Circa 1880 This Victorian crescent
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 9k Gold, Silver

Antique 18ct White Gold, Edwardian 1.50 Carat Diamond Crescent Moon Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Crescent Moon Pendant 18ct White Gold Circa 1900 *THE CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Old Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch in Silver-Topped Gold
Located in New York, NY
An antique Victorian period diamond crescent brooch comprised of single-cut and old European-cut
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Carved Labradorite 'Man in the Moon' Rose Diamond Pendant, c. 1888
Located in Aspen, CO
Antique pendant of a detailed carving in labradorite of a man in the moon accented with 20 rose cut
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Labradorite, 14k Gold

Antique Old Mine Cut and Rose Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An antique Victorian period diamond crescent brooch comprised of old mine-cut and rose-cut diamonds
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique 18ct Yellow Gold, Victorian 3.75 Carat Diamond Crescent Moon Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Crescent Moon Pendant 18ct Yellow Gold Tested Circa 1870 This exquisite 18ct yellow gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 1.25 Carat Old Mine Diamond Yellow Gold Half Moon Brooch
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Antique Half moon brooch featuring 19 old mine cut diamonds with an estimated total weight of 1.25
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow Moon Pendant Graduated
By Belfiore Jewelry
Located in Great Neck, NY
Graduated diamond moon shaped pendant set in 14K yellow gold. The total diamond weight is 1.37
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Handcrafted Natural Rose Cut Diamond Moon Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.60 ct. The diamond is has
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique 1900s Ottoman 10k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Decorated Moon Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight 1.3 grams. Totally is diamond about 0.20 carat. The diamond is
Category

Antique Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold

Antique Lapis Crescent Moon Pendant of 14k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A lapis lazuli pendant featuring a 10k gold crescent moon with a diamond star atop a lapis backdrop
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Charm Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 10k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s Handcrafted 18k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Moon Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.5 grams. Totally is diamond 4.50 ct. The diamond is has
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Man in the Moon Moonstone Diamond Bracelet 14k Gold Celestial
Located in Torrance, CA
Distinct antique Victorian moonstone & diamond bangle bracelet (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 9k
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 15K Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Moon and Star Stick Pin
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
thing about this Victorian 15K Yellow Gold Moon and Star Stick Pin, is the sparkling old cut diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pampillonia 2.39-Carat No-Heat Sapphire and Half-Moon Diamond Three-Stone Ring
By Pampillonia
Located in Bethesda, MD
perfectly complemented by two exquisite half-moon diamonds weighing a total of 0.40 carats. The diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Antique Victorian Old Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch in Rose Gold 19th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique Victorian old-cut diamond Crescent Moon brooch in rose gold, 19th Century. Modelled as a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 19th Century Old Mine Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Star Brooch Yellow Gold
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique 19th century Old Mine-cut Diamond crescent moon with star brooch / pendant in yellow gold
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Waltham 15j 6s Pocket Watch 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Crescent Moon Hunter
By American Waltham Watch Co.
Located in Montclair, NJ
This antique pocket watch made in America by the American Waltham Watch Co. It features Waltham's
Category

Antique 19th Century American Pocket Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Victorian 14k Gold, Diamond, and Red Spinel Moon & Dragon Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique 14k gold, red spinel, and diamond stickpin. In 14 karat yellow gold. Prong set
Category

20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, 14k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Old Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian crescent moon pin brooch crafted in 18K gold. Circa 1890. The piece features
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

his beautiful antique Crescent Moon is 1870 ca Glorious Victorian workmanship ma
Located in Napoli, IT
This beautiful antique Crescent Moon is 1870 ca Glorious Victorian workmanship made of solid 18 KT
Category

Antique 1870s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Rose Cut Diamond Platinum Crescent Moon Pendant Necklace French Belle Epoque
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous and very rare antique French Belle Epoque Rose Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Pendant
Category

Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Deco Platinum Natural Fei Cui Jade and Diamond Cocktail Ring - GIA
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco Platinum Natural Fei Cui Jade and Diamond Cocktail Ring - GIA. This
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Platinum

Made in France Diamond and Ruby Detachable Brooch – Circa 1860’s
Located in Jacksonville, FL
This item is an antique 19th-century diamond crescent moon brooch with a detachable spray of rubies
Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

19th Century Antique Diamond encrusted Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in Stockholm, SE
gracefully curved crescent moon, exuding timeless elegance and celestial charm. Adorning the crescent are 14
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Old Cut Diamond Gold and Silver Crescent Moon Antique Brooch
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The Crescent Moon Shape Diamond Brooch Which has Around 10 Carats Of Old Cut Diamonds Beautifully
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch 15 Carat Gold
Located in Kendal, GB
A stunning antique Victorian crescent moon brooch from the late 19th Century adorned with
Category

Antique 1880s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Sapphires Diamonds Crescent Rose Gold Silver Moon Brooch
Located in Munich, DE
. When I look at this antique brooch I have to think of the song "Blue Moon" by Billie Holiday. The
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Heavy Diamond Gold Moon Pendant
Located in New York, NY
a bracelet. A dreamy piece. Alice Kwartler has sold the finest antique gold and diamond jewelry
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Crescent Moon Brooch with Diamonds, Gold and Silver, Napoléon III
Located in Paris, FR
18kt rose gold and silver "crescent moon" brooch (quality mark: owl) with floral design, set with
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Victorian French 12.20 Carat Diamond Double Crescent Moon 18 Karat Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
Dropped from Sky The crescent moon was widely popular during the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian 2.20 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch 18 Karat
Located in Napoli, IT
Diamonds rated G/H/I VVS/SI The Moon is hand crafted of solid 18 KT gold topped by silver both acid tested
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Large Crescent Diamond Moon Gold Charm Pendant
Located in New York, NY
10K yellow gold. Silhouette of the moon is detailed with nose, mouth and accentuated with diamond eye
Category

1990s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold

Victorian 3.00 Ct Untreated Ruby .80 Carat Old Mine Diamond Crescent Moon brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
Crescent moon are a guidance in life, love and many others symbolism This Stunning Victorian example is
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Victorian Pearl Diamond Crescent Moon and Star Brooch in 18 Carat Gold
Located in Kendal, GB
A beautiful antique Victorian celestial brooch depicting a crescent moon and star. It’s fashioned
Category

Antique 19th Century European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

Retro Antique Half Moon Cut Diamond Sapphire Platinum Two Stone Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stone Ring. Featuring rare D,E color antique half moon cut diamonds. Designed to be different and unique
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Antique Diamond & Sapphire Crescent Moon Pendant
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Transformed by our skilled jeweler, this exquisite diamond crescent moon pendant was originally an
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 1880s Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning fine and impressive antique Victorian 4.14 carat diamond and 12 karat yellow gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Crescent Moon Diamond Pendant Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Austria, Vienna, circa 1880 This classic Victorian era crescent moon pendant / brooch is finely
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Austrian Victorian Brooches

French Napoleon 3 Antique Crescent Moon Sapphire Diamond Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18K rose gold and silver, eagle's head hallmark. This sublime antique brooch in the form
Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Go...

Antique Old Mine Cut Diamond & Ruby Crescent Moon Necklace
Located in Los Angeles, CA
from an antique brooch. Two-tone styling with the diamonds set in platinum and the rubies set in 18k
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique 18K Gold Crescent Moon ~1.2ct Diamond Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a typical Victorian crescent moon pin brooch crafted in 18K gold. It is silver plated. The
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Russian 19th Century Diamond Ruby Gold Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in St. Petersburg in the 1880s – 1890s. This Victorian era crescent moon brooch is finely
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Antique 18ct Gold, Victorian Natural Ruby & Diamond Crescent Moon Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Crescent Pendant 18ct Gold Tested Circa 1880 * THE CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY Elevate
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 2.50ct Diamond Pendant Crescent Moon Enamel 14k Star Celestial
Located in Torrance, CA
Elaborate antique Victorian diamond crescent moon pendant (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 14
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique Victorian Diamond Pendant Crescent Moon 14k Gold Star Celestial Brooch
Located in Torrance, CA
Elaborate antique Victorian crescent moon pendant/brooch (circa 1880s to 1900s) crafted in 14 karat
Category

Late 20th Century American Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Old Cut Diamond Turquoise Crescent Moon Brooch Pendant Gold
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique Edwardian Old Brilliant-Cut Diamond and Turquoise Crescent Moon Brooch/Pendant in Yellow
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Crescent Moon Diamond Pendant Vintage 14k Rose Gold Celestial
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian era (circa 1880s to 1900s) pendant, crafted in 14 karat rose gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Crescent Moon Pendant Old Mine Diamond Pearl 14 Karat Gold
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed antique Victorian crescent moon pendant (circa 1880s to 1900s), crafted in 14 karat
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Conversion Ring Diamond Pearl Crescent Moon Star 14 Karat Gold
Located in Torrance, CA
Originally an antique Victorian era stick pin (circa 1880s to 1900s), the crescent moon ring is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Gold Rose Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
It is a delicate 19th century Victorian crescent moon pin brooch crafted in 14K yellow gold and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver Plate

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Antique Diamond Moon For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact antique diamond moon you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, Yellow Gold and 18k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 31 antique edition and 1 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect antique diamond moon among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. Finding an appealing antique diamond moon — no matter the origin — is easy, but Goshwara each produced a popular version that is worth a look. An antique diamond moon can make for a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 24 Diamond versions can add an especially stylish touch. An antique cushion cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also old mine cut and rose cut versions for sale. Most of our antique diamond moon for sale are for women, but there are 7 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Antique Diamond Moon?

The price for an antique diamond moon starts at $387 and tops out at $36,000 with these brooches, on average, selling for $3,450.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany & Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef & Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.