Vintage 14K Gold Diamond Equestrian Horse Head Horseshoe Pendant
Located in Miami, FL
A finely crafted equestrian pendant rendered in 14 karat yellow gold, featuring a sculpted horse head emerging through a diamond-set horseshoe.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Horse Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This 1890s horse brooch is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Cartier 18k Gold Diamond and Emerald Horse Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A sought-after vintage Cartier 18k gold Horse brooch set with round brilliant-cut diamonds and an emerald eye.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Horse Shoe Bracelet with Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold Diamonds 1.30 carats approx. 8 inch length with lobster clasp Bracelet can be clasped at any length Also available in various lengths Crafted in shim...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Horse Shoe Earring Hoop Black Diamond White Diamond Blue Sapphire J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
J Dauphin Horseshoe Earring — Black Diamond Hoop — White Diamond & Blue Sapphire Horseshoe — Gold Plated Silver — Single Designer: J Dauphin Material: Gold Plated Silver Gemstones: N...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterl...
Vintage Horse Head Diamond Horseshoe Gold Equestrian Unisex Ring
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Vintage Horse Head Diamond Horseshoe Gold Ring. Hand set with 1.00tcw Diamonds.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Horse Shoe Diamond Burma Ruby Platinum Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Material: Platinum Year of Manufacture: Circa 1900s Condition: Excellent Gemstone: Diamond, Ruby Ruby Weight: 3CT Diamond Weight: 1.5CT Total Weight: 27.3 grams Length: 1.6 inches Pl...
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
$2,544Sale Price|25% Off
18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Horse Head Design Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 9.3 grams. Totally is diamond 1.10 ct. The diamond is has F-G color and vvs1-vs1 clarity. Ring size is US 8.2 We can make any size. The box is...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Zorab Creation Stallion Horse Spinel Cocktail Ring with Diamonds
By Zorab Creation
Located in San Diego, CA
Channel the victorious spirit of the stallion with Zorab's majestic design hand-crafted with Black Spinel (5.60 Ct), Black Diamonds (3.36 Ct) and Brown Diamonds (2.88 Ct). The splen...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Spinel, 18k...
Diamond Ruby Horse Ring 14K Gold Horseshoe Band Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Horse Ring 14K Gold Horseshoe Band Vintage This gorgeous horseshoe ring is finely crafted in solid 14K gold in the shape of Horse and Horseshoe.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Studded Horse Rider Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your accessory collection with this exquisite Vintage Horse Rider Brooch and Pendant Convertible, crafted from luxurious 14k yellow gold.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century Wild Horses Diamond 14k Yellow Gold & Palladium Pendant
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Cue the Rolling Stones song "Wild Horses" when donning this heirloom. Provenance of a Santa Ynez, California horse farm owner.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Palladium
Exclusive Horse Diamond Emerald Yellow 18K Gold Exclusive Ring
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Unleash your inner elegance with our "Golden Gallop" 🐎💎 Horse Diamond Emerald Ring in 18K Yellow Gold. ✨ This exclusive piece features a captivating design adorned with brown diamo...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Australian Opal Horse 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds Pendant
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Fantastic Australian opal horse 18 karat white gold pendant necklace made in italy mounted with diamonds Pendant total weight 6.10 grams Opal weight 16 Karat Diamonds weight 0.08 Ka...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ancient Greek 3rd Century Horse Coin Diamond 18K Gold Pendant
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
The horse was a symbol of power and strength in the ancient world.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Jockey Horse Racer Diamonds Platinum Enamel Unisex Brooch Boxed, 1975
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Horse Racer Diamonds Platinum Enamel Unisex Brooch.
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
New Made 18k Gold Horse Shoe Design Natural Diamond Decorated Ring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
💎 New Made 18k Gold Horse Shoe Design Natural Diamond Decorated Ring In very good condition.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Horse Coin Diamonds 18K Gold Pendant
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
The coin was holed in antiquity, and we set a small 1.7 mm diamond in the hole. This coin was minted in the city of Pharsalos, famous during those times for the strength of its hors...
Diamond, 18k Gold
1969 Ben Rosenfeld Horse Brooch – 18ct Yellow Gold, Diamond & Ruby
Located in London, GB
Total Gold Weight: 14.20g Total Diamond Weight: 0.15ct Diamond Colour: H Diamond Clarity: SI Dimension: 46.70mm x 30.70mm Pin & Roll Catch TSMS10035
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian 0.14ct Diamond Horn and Horse Shoe Brooch, c.1880s
Located in London, GB
This charming Victorian brooch is designed in the shape of a horn with an intertwining horse shoe. Crafted in 15 carat yellow gold, a collection of ten rose cut diamonds totalling 0....
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Diamond Pave and Enamel Jockey and Horse Pendant/Brooch
Located in Aspen, CO
This 18K white gold pendant pave set with white diamonds accented with enamel depicts a cute jockey and even cuter stallion trying ever so hard to win! This pendant, which can also ...
Diamond, Enamel, Platinum, 18k Gold
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K Rose White Gold Black Diamond Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.00x2.80x3.10cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "84 Brown Diamonds 0.86 CT 36 Black Diamonds 0.35 CT 2 Ruby 0.10 CT 18KR 9.00 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & G...
Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
$964Sale Price / item|44% Off
W 0.54 in L 1.23 in
14k Gold Sea Horse Pendant with Opal, Emerald and Diamonds
By Daizy Jewellery
Located in Istanbul, TR
14 kt solid gold sea horse pendant with natural opal, emerald and diamonds.
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold
Malachite, Diamond, and Amethyst Retro Horse Brooch set in Gold
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic mixture of dark green malachite and 18 deep purple amethysts weighing approximately 2 carats come together to create this magnificent horse figure adorned with 33 diamond...
Amethyst, Diamond, Malachite, Gold
Vintage 14K Textured Gold Prancing Horse Brooch with Diamonds & Emerald Eye
Located in Miami, FL
A charming vintage 14k gold prancing horse brooch, beautifully sculpted with a rich hand-textured finish that gives the piece lifelike movement and character.
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
$1,987Sale Price|25% Off
New Made 18k Gold Horse Shoe Design Natural Diamond Decorated Pendant Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
💎 New Made 18k Gold Horse Shoe Design Natural Diamond Decorated Pendant Necklace In very good condition.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.30x3.10x3.45cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "151 Brown Diamonds 1.30 CT 3 White Diamonds 0.02 CT 88 Fancy Diamonds 0.71 CT 2 Ruby 0.11 CT 18KR 18.58 GM (WBTT)" 18K ...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$14,800
W 1.5 in D 0.5 in L 1.75 in
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Horse Pendant with 6.15ct Diamonds, Circa 1980
Located in Houston, TX
A vintage pave horse pendant featuring 6.15 carats of round brilliant-cut white diamonds and a 0.04 carat fancy brown colored diamond eye, set in 18K yellow gold.
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Color: 18K White Gold Materials: "125 White Diamonds 0.86 CT 1 Fancy Diamonds 0.09 CT 2 Ruby 0.05 CT 18KW 7.87 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Animal & Fantasy Jew...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$8,950
H 2.44 in W 1.88 in D 0.38 in
Vintage 18K Gold, Black Opal, Sapphire, & Diamond Carved Horse Pendant
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage gold, opal, sapphire, and diamond pendant. In 18 karat yellow gold. With a large ca. 44.00± ct carved cushion shape black opal carved with a horse's head in profile.
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold
Opal Horses 14 Karat Yellow Gold Onyx Diamonds Cuff Bracelet
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Handmade by our craftsmen assembled with black onyx, australian opal horse and diamonds. Bracelet total weight 31.60 grams Diamonds weight 0.44 Karat Opal horses weight 11.50 grams ...
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Opal Horse 14 Karat Yellow Gold Onyx Diamonds Pendant Necklace
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Handmade by our craftsmen assembled with black onyx, australian opal horse and diamonds. Pendant total weight 8.10 grams Diamonds weight 0.08 Karat Opal horses weight 1.80 grams Cha...
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Color: 18K White Gold Materials: "122 White Diamonds 0.73 CT 2 Ruby 0.05 CT 18KW 7.66 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Animal & Fantasy Jewelry Our Animal and Fant...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "90 Fancy Diamonds 1.19 CT 2 Ruby 0.05 CT 18KR 9.33 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Animal & Fantasy Jewelry Our Animal and Fantas...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K White Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Color: 18K White Gold Materials: "126 White Diamonds 0.98 CT 2 Ruby 0.04 CT 18KW 8.03 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Animal & Fantasy Jewelry Our Animal and Fant...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Horse Shoe Cuff Bracelet Chain White Diamond Blue Sapphire J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A hanging horse shoe charm set with Blue sapphires and white diamonds completes the design.
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
Horse Stallion Pony Diamond Pave & Ruby 18K Rose Gold Ring
By Unbranded
Located in Tysons, VA
Dimensions: 2.03x2.05x2.71cm Color: 18K Rose Gold Materials: "99 Fancy Diamonds 0.81 CT 2 Ruby 0.04 CT 18KR 6.98 GM (WBTT)" 18K Gold & Precious Diamond & Gemstone Animal & Fantasy J...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
18k White Gold Horse Head Pendant with Diamond Eyes, 27.7 g
Located in Berlin, BE
Bold and finely crafted horse head pendant in 18k white gold, weighing 27.7 grams.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Carrara Y Carrara Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Horse Pendant Rope Necklace
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The Carrera y Carrera Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Horse Pendant Rope Necklace is a luxurious piece of fine jewelry crafted in Spain.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 KT Yellow Gold Horse Pendant w/ Mechanical Limbs and Diamond Eyes
By Bielka
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat yellow gold horse pendant. This unique horse is designed with movable legs and a movable tail.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,950
H 0.69 in W 0.94 in L 3 in
Antique Gold & Platinum Old Cut Diamond Red Stone Galloping Horse Stick Pin
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (20) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut - Pave Set - Nice Brilliant White Diamonds - 0.40ctw (approx.) (1) Red Stone - Round Cabochon Cut - Pave Set - Red Color - ...
Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$3,301
H 0.31 in W 0.67 in L 1.5 in
Antique Diamond Garnet and Enamel Yellow Gold Horse and Jockey Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The horse is ornamented with a total of thirty-one pavé set diamonds, in a combination of Dutch cut and mine cuts.
Diamond, Garnet, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
18K Diamond Pave and Enamel Jockey and Horse Pendant/Brooch
Located in Aspen, CO
This 18K white gold pendant pave set with white diamonds accented with enamel depicts a cute jockey and even cuter stallion trying ever so hard to win! This pendant, which can also ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
18K Diamond Pave and Enamel Jockey and Horse Pendant/Brooch
Located in Aspen, CO
This 18K white gold pendant pave set with white diamonds accented with enamel depicts a cute jockey and even cuter stallion trying ever so hard to win! This pendant, which can also ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
$5,985
H 1.5 in W 0.75 in L 16 in
Carrera y Carrera Horse Diamond Necklace 18k Gold Leather Chain Jewelry 2000s
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish pre-owned Carrera y Carrera Horse necklace crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 2000s).
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold Horse Pin Brooch with 1.95ct Diamonds 0.66ct Ruby 0.3ct Emerald
Located in New York, NY
Video: Video Link Detailed Description: This antique horse brooch, crafted from 18K two-tone gold, showcases exquisite artisan craftsmanship.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
IGI Certified 2.04 Carat Natural Diamond Floral and Horse Motif Statement Ring
Located in Boca Raton, FL
IGI Certified 2.04 Carat Natural Diamond Floral and Horse Motif Statement Ring This exclusive bespoke creation was specially handcrafted as a one-of-a-kind piece, and no identical d...
Diamond, Gold
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Horse Brooch, Contemporary Design, USA
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Horse Brooch/Pin. The brooch features twelve 2mm round diamonds for a total carat weight of 0.24ctw.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
$2,688
H 0.15 in W 0.44 in L 2.32 in
Antique 0.25ct Diamond and Ruby, 15k Yellow Gold Horse Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique diamond brooch has been crafted in 15k yellow gold with a 12k yellow gold and silver setting, modelled in the form of a jockey riding a horse.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
$71,996Sale Price|25% Off
L 18.25 in
GIA Natural Horse Head Diamond Halo Pendant 14-Karat Necklace In Stock
By Raymond Lee Jewelers
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This Horse-shaped diamond is a must-have for any horse lovers out there!
Brown Diamond, Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
C1980 18K Blue Enamel Band Ring w Raised Gold Galloping Horses & Diamonds
Located in Baltimore, MD
Striking gold equestrian band ring of raised gold galloping horses interspersed between small round diamonds on a blue enamel band with an 18K gold interior.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Emerald and Diamond Galloping Horse Pin/Brooch 18K Yellow/White Gold
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Natural White Diamonds: .08cts Color: H Clarity: VS2-SI1 Total # Of Stones: 16 Cut: Round Natural Green Emerald: .01cts Emerald Color: Green ,Clarity: C...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
Ancient Greek 5th Century BC Silver Horse Coin Diamonds 18K Gold Pendant
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
An authentic ancient Greek silver hemidrachm coin from the Greek region of Thessaly showing the forepart of a horse is set in an ancient-inspired line textured Steven Battelle design...
Diamond, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Enamel Horse Head Cufflinks with Diamond Eyes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This very well crafted, intricately detailed and life like pair of 18k yellow gold horse head motif cuff links is replete with black and white enamel.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
$2,056Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.71 in L 2.49 in
Art Nouveau White Diamond Emerald Turquoise Yellow Gold Drop "Horses" Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Nouveau Horse Cuff-Links Diamond 18 K Yellow Gold, 1910
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Cufflinks depicting a horse head in fine details. 18K Gold with small Diamonds.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$2,991Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.87 in L 3.39 in
Art Nouveau Style White Diamond Emerald Turquoise Yellow Gold "Horses" Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping, please contact the seller with a private message to solve the problem. We can ship every...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow 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.