Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings, 5.96 Carats
Located in London, GB
A pair of diamond drop earrings, with an openwork scrolled frame, with trefoil flowers, set with round brilliant-cut and rose-cut diamonds, each suspending seven briolette-cut diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Dusty Rose 18K Gold Earrings with 0.96ct Round & 11.65ct Diamonds
By EstatebyJR
Located in New York, NY
These stunning earrings feature a total of 0.96 carats Round diamonds and 11.65 carats Briolette cut Diamonds, all set in 18K Gold weighing 10.92 grams.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
$1,365Sale Price / item|30% Off
PANIM Drop Dangling Necklace in 18 Karat White Gold
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Briolette Diamond Chain Link Necklace in 18 Karat Gold A chic and elegant 16" link necklace with briolette-cut diamonds , set with a diamond studded lobster clasp in 18kt whit...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Style Emerald & Diamond Grape Bunch Drop Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Tysons, VA
Details: Style: Vintage Style Gemstones: Emeralds (Briolette-Cut), Diamonds Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Item Type: Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,299Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM 3.51 Carat Diamond Briolette & Roundell 18K White Gold Earrings
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 3.51 Carat Diamond Briolette & Roundell 18K White Gold Earrings In the shape of Heart , this earrings is special for your loved having the briolette drops and porttrait cut di...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Julius Cohen Vintage Angel Drop Clip-On Earrings Carat Briolette Diamonds
By Julius Cohen
Located in Chicago, IL
The design centers around two briolette-cut diamonds, weighing a combined ~3.67 carats, in H and J color, SI1 clarity, gracefully suspended to catch the light from every angle.
Diamond, Platinum
$1,749Sale Price / item|30% Off
PANIM 5 Dancing Diamond Briolettes 18K Rose Gold Mille Etoiles Necklace
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The briolette cut is a type of diamond cut that features elongated facets that create a teardrop shape.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$1,749Sale Price / item|30% Off
PANIM 5 Dancing Diamond Briolettes 18K Yellow Gold Mille Etoiles Necklace
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The briolette cut is a type of diamond cut that features elongated facets that create a teardrop shape.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,749Sale Price / item|30% Off
PANIM 5 Dancing Diamond Briolettes 18K Yellow Gold Mille Etoiles Necklace
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The briolette cut is a type of diamond cut that features elongated facets that create a teardrop shape.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,099Sale Price / item|30% Off
PANIM 7 Dancing Diamond Briolettes 18K Yellow Gold Mille Etoiles Necklace
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The briolette cut is a type of diamond cut that features elongated facets that create a teardrop shape.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
PANIM Cocktail Diamond Dangling Earrings 18 Karat White Gold, 6.23cts
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Cocktail Diamond Dangling Earrings 18 Karat White Gold, 6.23cts Diamond drop earrings in cut down style settings, with 12 briolette cut diamonds and small round brilliant cut ...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$18,436Sale Price|20% Off
Sybarite Jewellery Rocket Pendant 18K White Gold 3.09 Carats White Diamonds
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
This playful Sybarite Rocket pendant crafted elegantly in white gold and briolette cut diamonds has been designed to add a touch of fun to your collection. 3.09cts white diamonds,(L...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Art Deco-Style Onyx and Diamond Tassel Earrings
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking pair of Art Deco–style earrings crafted in 18K white gold, featuring a mesmerizing combination of onyx and diamonds. Each earring showcases an architectural dome design se...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
$16,890Sale Price|20% Off
Sybarite Pocket Rocket Pendant in Blackened Gold with Black Diamonds
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
This playful Sybarite Rocket pendant, crafted elegantly in blackened gold and briolette cut diamonds, has been designed to add a touch of fun to your collection. 18K Blackened Gold ...
Diamond, Black Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Mixed Metal, Gold
$45,849Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM 48.01 Carat Natural Fancy Color Diamond Floral Choker Link Necklace
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 48.01 Carat Natural Fancy Color Diamond Floral Choker Link Necklace A mixture of natural golden yellow to orangy yellow to canary yellow specially hand cut by our master craf...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA Certified 1.52 Carat Fancy Greenish Yellow Diamond Briolette Snowflake Ring
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
GIA Certified 1.52 Carat Cushion Cut Fancy Greenish Yellow Diamond and Briolette Diamond Side Stone SnowFlake Motif Ring in 18K white Gold.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat Gold 44.62 Carat Fancy Diamond Briolette Drop Earrings
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
The focal point of these earrings is the breathtaking briolette-cut diamonds, weighing a substantial total of 44.62 carats.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Art Deco Style 18KT Gold Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Braintree, GB
The lower portion terminates in a stepped motif suspending multiple diamond briolettes. The earrings are set throughout with a combination of rose-cut, old-cut, and briolette-cut dia...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$10,639Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM 7.59 Carat Floral Rosecut Mix Shape Necklace in White Gold Necklace
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Its Combination of two hole Rose Cut Diamond & One Hole Dangling Pear Briolette cut diamond linked with 18 karat White gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Contemporary Quartz 19.00 Ct & Diamonds 18kt Yellow Gold Ring Chakral Activator
By Nicofilimon the Jewelry Designer
Located in Athens, GR
An exquisite handcrafted 18kt gold with a royal quartz cushion briolette cut & diamonds ring that defines elegance and refined femininity.
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary Quartz 19.00 Ct & Diamonds 18kt Rose Gold Ring Chakral Activator
By Nicofilimon the Jewelry Designer
Located in Athens, GR
An exquisite handcrafted 18kt gold with a royal quartz cushion briolette cut & diamonds ring that defines elegance and refined femininity.
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Contemporary Quartz 19.00 Ct & Diamonds 18kt White Gold Ring Chakral Activator
By Nicofilimon the Jewelry Designer
Located in Athens, GR
An exquisite handcrafted 18kt white gold with a royal quartz cushion briolette cut & diamonds ring that defines elegance and refined femininity.
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Sparkling 1.39 Carat Antique style Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold
Located in רמת גן, IL
This stunning ring features a striking 0.61 carat briolette-cut diamond as its main stone, exuding elegance and sophistication.
Diamond, White Gold
Sunita Nahata Citrine 2.04ct. Fancy Ring in 18KRG with White Diamond.
By Sunita Nahata
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Presents a pear-shaped citrine ring with a briolette cut. Diamond has adorned the left and right sides of the center stone and ring are made of 18karat rose gold, which is very attra...
Citrine, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
"Cartier Paris, 159" pendant necklace.
By Cartier
Located in MADRID, ES
Five of them hang from this pendants, each composed of a Briolette cut diamond. From both sides of the greeks emerge two bodies of union with four diamonds Round in brilliant cut, wh...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Boucheron 8.30 carat diamond 18K white gold drop earring
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The briolette cuts bring a soft, fluid shimmer that beautifully complements the round brilliant cut diamonds, creating a luxurious play of light with every turn.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Chopard 18k White Gold Happy Sport 26mm Ladies Diamond Quartz Bracelet Watch
By Chopard
Located in Miami, FL
Briolette cut diamond crown and lugs, fitted diamond set brick link bracelet of 7 inches and deployment buckle.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Emerald Drop White Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
The intricate design showcases a luminous 2.88-carat cabochon emerald, gracefully set within a delicate framework of shimmering diamonds. Suspended below is a striking 7.00-carat bri...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
$6,968 / item
Towards the Stars Fly Me to the Moon Pendant
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
Following the rocket, a single, beautiful briolette-cut diamond dangles delicately below, adding a radiant charm that perfectly balances the bold design.
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Briolette Diamond Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Briolette Diamond Necklace A necklace featuring 7 briolette and round cut diamonds dangling from a link chain.
Diamond, Platinum
Necklace - Modern Platinum 12.00 Ct Sugarloaf Emerald & Multi-Color Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Adding spectacular movement to the piece, three exquisite briolette-cut diamond drops weighing approximately 2.00 carats are suspended along the baseline, swaying elegantly with the ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Earrings Boucheron Cinna Pampilles
By Boucheron
Located in Berlin, DE
Adding dynamic movement and exceptional craftsmanship, each earring is further graced by 16 elegant briolette-cut diamonds, which dangle and catch the light from every angle.
J. Birnbach Rose Cut & Briolette Diamond Drop Earrings
By J. Birnbach
Located in New York, NY
Featuring assorted pavé = 1.88 carat total weight, six, rose-cut pear shape diamonds and a scintillating, matched pair of briolettes = approximately 5 carat total weight, these edgy ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$6,000Sale Price|20% Off
Platinum, Diamond and Briolette cut Amethyst Earrings, Pierre/Famille.
Located in Aspen, CO
Platinum pendant style earrings possessing both round and pear cut diamonds by Pierre/Famille. These collet set stones weigh 3.83 cts. They are estimated to be near colorless and v...
Amethyst, Diamond, Platinum
2.20 Carat Fancy Orangy Brown Diamond Pendant Bow Necklace In Platinum GIA Cert.
Located in New York, NY
This elegant pendant features a striking 2.21 carat Fancy Dark Orangy Brown briolette-cut diamond, GIA certified (#6234043585) for its exceptional color and natural origin.
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold
Briolette Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Briolette Diamond Dangle Earrings A pair of earrings featuring colored briolette diamonds dangling at the center. Briolette Weight: approximately 1.75 carats Remaining Diamond We...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Briolette Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Set with round cut diamonds. Briolette Diamond Weight: approximately 1.22 carats total Round Cut Diamond Weight: approximately 1.50 carats Measurements: 1.5" long Back Type: push...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Briolette Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Briolette Diamond Dangle Earrings A pair of earrings featuring dangling colored briolette diamonds Briolettes Weight: approximately 1.90 carats Remaining Diamond Weight: approximat...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Muti Colored Briolette Cut Sapphires & Diamond Pendant Drop Necklace
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Here is an 18k white gold pendant made with 8 Briolette cut sapphires and round diamonds. The Briolette cutting is difficult to do and seldom manufactured.
Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Yellow Briolette Diamond Band Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Band Ring in rose gold 18K briolette cut yellow and round cut diamonds 2.01 carat, estimated H color and Si1 clarity.
Diamond
1.42 Carat Diamonds with Dangling Sapphire Briolettes Gold Earrings
By Diamond Stars Jewelry, Inc.
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful Drop Briolette Earrings The earrings are 18K White Gold The earrings are Black Rhodium Plated to give it a Gun Metal Finish There are 1.42 Carats In Diamonds F VS There ar...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium, Gold
18KT Florentine Engraved Briolette Cut Green Onyx & Diamond Earrings
Located in Lynchburg, VA
The green stones are two briolette-cut green onyx accented by two round, full-cut diamonds atop each earring for a carat weight of .06.
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
5.38 Carat Briolette Diamond Gold Earrings
By EstatebyJR
Located in New York, NY
Gemstone Details Type: Diamond Weight: 5.38 Carat Color: Yellow Cut: Briolette Clarity: VS2 Color Grade: Y Gemstone 2 Type: Diamond Weight: 1.06 Carat Color: White Cut: Rose Clarity...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Geometric Briolette and Brilliant Cut Diamond Hoop Earrings 14.12 CTW 18K Gold
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
Geometric Briolette and Brilliant Cut Diamond Hoop Earrings 14.12 CTW 18K Elevate your elegance with our Brilliant Cut Diamond and Fancy Briolette Modified Hoop Earrings—an exquisit...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Briolette Cut Green Tourmaline & Diamond Dangling Stud Earrings in 18K
By Gad & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Briolette Cut Tourmaline & Diamond Dangling Drop Stud Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold.
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$15,749Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM 18K White Gold 8.40cts Briolette & Illusion Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM 18K White Gold 8.40cts Briolette & Illusion Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring Stunning Panim hand-made 18k white gold ring.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
26 Carat Briolette-Cut Pink Sapphires and White Diamond Gold Dangle Earrings
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A beautiful pair of earrings, it features numerous briolette-cut pink sapphires weighing 26 carat surrounded and topped by white diamonds weighing 4.04 carat.
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Platinum Moonstone Briolette Drop Earrings with Diamond Accents
Located in Big Bend, WI
A pair of platinum moonstone briolette earrings with diamonds. There are 2 smooth briolette drops measuring about 11mm long x 7mm with white "pool of light" flash.
Diamond, Moonstone, Platinum
Alex Jona Briolette-Cut Black Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Link Chain Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold necklace with black rhodium, with briolette cut black diamonds weighing 61.3 carats.
Black Diamond, White Gold
Vintage Briolette 4.02ct Rose cut Diamond Dangle Earring in 18K White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Each earring gracefully cascades with three meticulously cut briolette diamonds, artfully suspended to capture and amplify light with every subtle movement.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Rose Cut and Briolette Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18K White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Specifications: Metal: 18 Karat White Gold Central Diamonds: 2 Rose Cut, Totaling 0.2 carats Dangling Diamonds: 6 Briolette-cut, Totaling 2.41 carats Accents: White ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21.17 Carats Total Briolette Cut Sapphire and Round Diamond Chandelier Earrings
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A fashionable pair of chandelier earrings showcasing a briolette cut sapphires, set in 6 rows of diamond encrusted bars made in 18k white gold.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$18,400Sale Price|20% Off
Lugano Fancy Color Diamond Briolette Earrings
By Lugano
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Lugano, 18 karat yellow gold with over 30 carats of fancy color briolette diamonds. The earrings are crafted with 100 multi-color briolette diamonds.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14.90 Carat Briolette Diamond Tassel Platinum Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The band is set with 1.26 carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds, while the briolete weigh a total of 14.90 carats.
Diamond, Platinum
Yellow Briolette Diamond Yellow Gold 18K Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in yellow gold 18K with briolette cut and round cut yellow color diamond 9.05 carat, estimated Si1 clarity.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$59,849Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM Fancy Color Diamond Briolette Grape Earrings
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
PANIM Natural FancyColor Diamond Briolette Grape Earrings in 18K WhiteGold 35cts Unique handcrafted Natural Fancy Color Diamond Briolettes Grape Style earrings. Natural Fancy Color...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
$17,500Sale Price|30% Off
PANIM 18k Rose Gold Diamond Briolette Pendant
By PANIM
Located in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Beautiful diamond pendant featuring diamond briolette of 3.78 cts surrounded by diamond rosecut .This pendant is perfect for the every occasion and for everyday wear .Style up this p...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Michael Kanners Amber Briolette Diamond Drop Earrings
By Michael Kanners
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
These earrings feature stunning briolette-cut green amber drops that dangle elegantly from a delicate diamond set top.
Amber, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
$973Sale Price / item|44% Off
14k Gold Earrings with Topazes Briolettes and Diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
Central stones: Natural topaz - 2 pieces Cut: Briolettes Weight: approx 2.10 ct total. Color: Blue Clarity: Transparent with inclusions Diamonds: weight - approx 0.12 ct (12 pieces x...
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold
Flower Design Briolette Diamond Blue Gold 18K Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in blue (customizable color) gold 18K briolette cut and round cut diamond 4.26 carat, estimated G color and Si1 clarity.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
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.
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 rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.