Monica Rich Kosann Infinity Diamond Oval Locket 18k Yellow gold 30" 13g 8875
By Monica Rich Kosann
Located in Northbrook, IL
This exquisite Infinity oval diamond locket necklace is a distinctive creation from the 21st Century by Monica Rich Kosann.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Faberge Heritage Rose Gold Diamond & Pink Guilloche Enamel Heart Surprise Locket
By Fabergé
Located in New York, NY
The heritage rose gold diamond and pink guilloche enamel heart surprise locket features pink guilloche enamel and round white diamonds, set in 18 karat rose gold. In keeping with it...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Oval Locket Pendant 18k YG Green Vitreous Guilloche Enamel Sapphire 27 x 17 mm
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer customizable oval locket pendant necklace, 18k Yellow gold, translucent royal blue vitreous enamel, gold paillons, 9 diamonds total 0.04 ct, G VS brilliant cut, 1 pear s...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Oval Locket Pendant Necklace 18k YG Green Guilloche Enamel Sapphire 27 x 17 mm
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer customizable oval locket pendant necklace, 18k Yellow gold, translucent royal blue vitreous enamel, gold paillons, 9 diamonds total 0.04 ct, G VS brilliant cut, 1 pear s...
Sapphire, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Heavy Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Diamond, Pearl & Blue Enamel Star Locket
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond, pearl, enamel, and yellow gold locket, comprising one old mine cut diamond, six half seed pearls, twelve rose cut diamonds, and blue enamel, in 14 karat yellow g...
Diamond, Pearl, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Diamond Fleur de Lis Locket of 10k Gold, Circa 1890-1900
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Antique Fleur de Lis Locket: This 10k gold locket (circa 1890-1900) features three diamond accented fleur de lis. The reverse bears the initials KMP. The locket measures 1.6 inches ...
Diamond, 10k Gold
Openable Locket Necklace 14k Solid Gold Diamond Necklace Anniversary Unique Gift
Located in Chicago, IL
Openable Locket Necklace 14k Solid Gold Diamond Necklace Anniversary Unique Gift Total Carat: 0.19 ct Total Numbers Of Diamond: 10 Necklace Width: 1.44 cm ( 0.56 inches) Necklace Le...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 10K Yellow Gold Acid Etched Old European Diamond Locket Necklace
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Victorian Pendant Composition: 10K Yellow Gold Primary Stone: Antique Old European Cut Diamond Carat Weight: 0.05 Carats Color/Clarity: H / I1 Pendant Dimensions: 1.5'' Length x...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Small Oval Locket .35 tcw
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Small Oval Locket combines substance with style, and offers just the right amount of sparkle. Finely handcrafted and matte-finished, this locket ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1880s Antique Horse Watch Fob Locket Tri-Color Gold Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique horse and horseshoe locket fob pendant, circa 1880, with race whip motif at top.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Small Oval Locket .21 tcw
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18 Karat Gold and Diamond Small Oval Locket combines substance with style and offers just the right amount of sparkle. Finely handcrafted and matte-finished, this locket c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Victor Mayer Calima Locket Necklace in Yellow Gold with 155 Fancy Yellow Diamond
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer customizable oval locket pendant in yellow gold from the Calima Collection, set with 155 fancy yellow diamonds with a total weight of 1.76 ct, G VS.
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Roman Warrior Diamond Locket Necklace Old Mine 14 Karat Gold Classical
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous Victorian - Belle Epoque Picture locket pendant with a stunning Roman Neoclassical Warrior set with a .15 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Portrait Locket Necklace 14 Karat Gold Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a Museum Quality Antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Locket Pendant with exquisite Enamel Portrait decoration, set with a Rose Cut Diamond and the word "Memoria."
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Serpent Snake Locket Necklace Diamond 14 Karat Gold Enamel Garnet Antique 1840
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a fabulous rare antique Victorian Snake Serpent Necklace with a Heart Locket Pendant hanging from its mouth. The snake necklace dating to circa 1840.
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Heart Locket Necklace 18k Yellow Gold Emerald Green Enamel 3 Diamonds 0.03ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer heart locket pendant necklace, Hallmark Collection, 18k yellow gold, emerald green vitreous enamel, 3 diamonds, total 0.03 ct, G VS brilliant cut About the creator Vict...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
$26,754Sale Price|20% Off
Faberge Circular Enamel Diamond Set Locket 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Circa 1900.
By Karl Fabergé
Located in London, GB
A rare, hand crafted yellow gold and platinum locket pendant by Karl Fabergé. Of circular shape, comprised of a soft blue guilloché enamel, centrally milgrain set with a rose cut di...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Devon Woodhill Large North Star Modern Locket
Located in Weston, MA
Keep your loved ones close with this sleek take on a traditional locket. The slim profile case opens to display 2 photographs. The North Star design is highlighted by one brilliant d...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
Luisa Rosas 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Circle Locket on 18K Chain Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This circular pendant from Luísa Rosas features a brushed yellow gold finish, dotted with a grid of round-cut diamonds and suspended from a delicate chain. There are 24 round diamon...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold Harp with Rose-Cut Diamond Locket
Located in New York, NY
Antique Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold Harp with Rose-cut Diamond and Pearl Locket c.1900 23.66 grams W: 37.25 H: 67.59 Depth: 13.35
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Eugène Fontenay Etruscan Revival Gold Enamel Locket
By Eugene Fontenay
Located in New Orleans, LA
Among the finest expressions of the Etruscan Revival, this locket by renowned Parisian jeweler Eugène Fontenay centers a matte enamel miniature by Salon painter Eugène Richet. This c...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Marvel Locket in 18k Gold with Pink Sapphire & Diamond by Future Fortune Jewelry
Located in Geneve, CH
Marvel Locket in 18k Gold with Pink Sapphire & Diamond by Future Fortune Jewelry. Dimensions: 45 cm Rolo chain with 40 cm adjustable loop. Materials: 18k Yellow Gold with Sparkli...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Wendy Brandes Engravable Twisting Locket With 1 oz 18K Yellow Gold and Diamonds
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
As a tribute to her, Wendy created what initially appears to be a statement pendant with a relatively simply design. You have to be in on the secret of the pendant's complex engineer...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Filigree Diamond Locket 1", Vintage Inspired 14K Yellow Gold, MADE TO ORDER 6wks
By Gabriel & Co.
Located in Austin, TX
The details for this beautiful necklace are listed below: Metal Quality: 14K Yellow Gold Pendant Style: Locket Diamond Shape: Round Diamond Total Weight: .48 Carats Diamond Clarity: ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Oval Locket 18k Yellow Gold Emerald Green Enamel Guilloche 25 Diamonds 0.29 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer oval pendant locket 18k yellow gold, Hallmark collection, emerald green vitreous enamel, guilloche, 25 diamonds, total 0.29 ct, H VS, brilliant cut, measurements app. 25...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Oval Locket Necklace 18k Yellow Gold Green Enamel Guilloche 25 Diamonds 0.29 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer oval pendant locket necklace 18k yellow gold, Hallmark collection, emerald green vitreous enamel, guilloche, 25 diamonds, total 0.29 ct, H VS, brilliant cut, measurement...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Pave Diamond Star Charm Pendant 925 Silver Diamond Starburst Vintage Pendant.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pendant/Locket Type Charm Setting Style Pavé Shape Star Pendant Shape Star 925 Silver Weight 4.88 Grams Approx Main Stone Creation Natural Gross Weight 5.10 Grams Approx Size 23x23mm...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
ETRUSCAN REVIVAL 1870 Italian Enameled Locket of a Queen In Gilt With Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
The medallion locket is decorated with the inlaid portrait of an ancient Etruscan queen, which is dressed with colorful robes, crowned with a diadem and wearing earrings accented wit...
Diamond, Brass, Enamel, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
Wendy Brandes 18K Gold Whistle Locket With Surprise Inside and 1.13 TCW Diamonds
By Wendy Brandes
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by a tiny vintage gold charm, Wendy's double-punning Virginia Woolf Whistle pendant pops open to reveal a little wolf with glittering diamond eyes. And if you want to be a w...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fabergé 18k Yellow Gold Blue Guilloché Enamel Oval Locket with 9 Diamonds #2/150
By Fabergé
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Fabergé 18k Yellow Gold Blue Guilloché Enamel Oval Locket with 9 Diamonds (0.1 ct), Limited Edition #2/150, Certificate of Authenticity Reference: F1373/BW/00/02/102 Brand: Fabergé ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1880's Victorian Mourning Onyx Ruby Rosecut Diamond Pearl Gold Inlay Locket
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
1880's Victorian Mourning Onyx Ruby Rosecut Diamond Pearl Gold Inlay Locket METAL 14K gold GEMSTONE rosecut diamonds, ruby, pearls, onyx WEIGHT 18 grams SIZE 45mm CONDITION Go...
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
1880's Victorian Mourning Onyx Ruby Rosecut Diamond Pearl Gold Inlay Locket
Located in EINDHOVEN, NB
1880's Victorian Mourning Onyx Ruby Rosecut Diamond Pearl Gold Inlay Locket METAL 14K gold GEMSTONE rosecut diamonds, ruby, pearls, onyx WEIGHT 18 grams SIZE 45mm CONDITION Go...
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
14K Solid Star Charm Pendant Natural Diamond Handmade Star Shape Pendants.
Located in Chicago, IL
Number of Diamonds 2 Main Stone Color White Metal Yellow Gold Main Stone Diamond Pendant/Locket Type Charm Style Charm, Pendant Base Metal Yellow Gold Number of Gemstones 2 Material ...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Pave Diamond Flower Pendant 925 Sterling Silver Spinel Gem Pendant Birthday Gift
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Flower Pendant 925 Sterling Silver Spinel Gem Pendant Birthday Gift Pendant Shape Flower Total Carat Weight 2.00 ctw - 4.99 ctw Style Charm, Locket, Pendant Base Metal ...
Diamond, Spinel, Silver, Sterling Silver
Pave Diamond 925 Sterling Silver Flower Pendant Old Victorian Style Pendant Gift
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond 925 Sterling Silver Flower Pendant Old Victorian Style Pendant Gift Total Carat Weight 0.75 ctw - 0.99 ctw Style Locket, Pendant Base Metal Sterling Silver Material 925...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
Victorian French Butterfly Rock Crystal Gem-set Rare Locket Chain
Located in Napoli, IT
A rare Victorian treasure to delight for life Gross weight is 34.5 grams Further Details Below Metal: 18 Kt yellow gold (locket) -. 14 Kt yellow gold (chain) Hallmarks: French assa...
Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Ruby Flower Locket of 14k Rose Gold, Circa 1900-1915
Located in Lewisburg, PA
A jewel of romantic sentiment and refined craftsmanship, this antique locket (circa 1900–1915) is handcrafted in warm 14k rose gold and adorned on the front with a delicate ruby flow...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Faberge by Victor Mayer 18k Yellow Gold Fleur Di Lis Guilloche Enamel Locket
Located in New York, NY
The bail is accented with a vertical row of diamonds, adding a discreet touch of brilliance above the pendant while complementing the ornate goldwork and enamel craftsmanship.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Snowflake Cluster Diamond Pendant Necklace in 14k Gold
Located in Chicago, IL
The original tags may not be attached. Pendant Shape: Snowflake Handmade: Yes Country/Region of Manufacture: India Total Carat Weight: 0.50 ctw - 0.74 ctw Style: Statement Base Metal...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Genuine Diamond Sparkling Star Charm 14k Solid Gold Diamond Charms Pendant Gift.
Located in Chicago, IL
Number of Diamonds 13 Gross Weight 0.48 Grams Approx Closure Hook Main Stone Color White Metal Rose Gold Diamond Weight 0.06 Ctw Approx Necklace Length 10mm Approx Main Stone Diamond...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Oval Locket Necklace 18k YG Blue Vitreous Guilloche Enamel Sapphire 27 x 17 mm
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer customizable oval locket pendant necklace, 18k Yellow gold, translucent royal blue vitreous enamel, gold paillons, 9 diamonds total 0.04 ct, G VS brilliant cut, 1 pear s...
Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
$8,400Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Cabochon Garnet Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Rare antique Victorian garnet and diamond pendant and locket, circa 1860. The crystal on the reverse can be removed to encase hair or a photo.
Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold
Pave Diamond Square Designer Pendant 925 Sterling Silver Handmade Jewelry Gift.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pendant Shape Square Total Carat Weight 0.24 & Under Base Metal Sterling Silver Certification 925 Hallmarked Setting Style Pavé Material 925 Sterling Silver, Natural Diamond Pendant/...
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
14k Solid Yellow Gold Dragonfly Diamond Necklace Pendant Gold Dragonfly Necklace
Located in Chicago, IL
14k Solid Yellow Gold Dragonfly Diamond Necklace Pendant Gold Dragonfly Necklace Metal Yellow Gold Diamond Clarity Grade clerity VS-SI Base Metal Yellow Gold Type Necklace Colour...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
White Gold and Diamond Heart Locket Pendant
By Barry Kronen
Located in Coral Gables, FL
18 karat white gold heart locket pendant featuring 28 round cut diamonds with SI clarity and H color totaling 0.33 carats.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Platinum Diamond & Emerald Locket Pendant
Located in Bethesda, MD
This exquisite Art Deco locket pendant is a masterclass in craftsmanship and timeless elegance.
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage Photo Locket Pendant in 18kt Gold with Diamonds - Micheletto
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Material: 18kt gold with white gold details Stones: diamonds Weight: 26,8 g Type: opening photo locket pendant Condition: vintage, slightly dented on the sides
Diamond, 18k Gold
French 19th Century Diamonds Enamel 18 karat Yellow Gold Locket Pendant Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Locket pendant-Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, horse head hallmark and silver, crab hallmark.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel
Oval Locket Pendant Solid 18k White Gold 4 Diamonds 0.04ct H VS
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Oval locket pendant, Hallmark Collection by VICTOR MAYER, 18k white gold, solid version, 4 diamonds, total 0.04 ct, H VS with two picture frames, made in Germany About the creator V...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Polished Heart Locket Pendant Necklace - 18k Yellow Gold - 6 Diamonds 0.09 ct
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Victor Mayer customizable polished heart-shaped locket pendant necklace 18k yellow gold, Hallmark collection, 6 Diamonds, total 0.09 ct, H VS, brilliant cut, diameter app. 22.0 mm A...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Sweetheart locket pendant 18K gold diamonds pearls amethyst glass past
By Cartier, Christian Dior, Chanel
Located in Wommelgem, VAN
Antique 19th century 18K gold sweetheart locket pendant with purple glass paste and natural certified diamonds and pearls In the center of the purple glass paste amethyst the letter ...
Amethyst, Gold
Oval Locket Pendant Necklace Solid 18k White Gold 4 Diamonds 0.04 Carat H VS
By Victor Mayer
Located in Pforzheim, DE
Oval locket pendant necklace, Hallmark Collection by VICTOR MAYER, 18k white gold, solid version, 4 diamonds, total 0.04 ct, H VS with two picture frames, made in Germany About the ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.30ct Diamond chunky cross pendant necklace in 18ct yellow gold
Located in London, GB
Classic round diamond chain pendant necklace with top f colour diamonds and great clarity on a 18ct length chain.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Victorian Diamond and Ruby Heart-Locket Pendant
Located in London, GB
A Victorian diamond and ruby heart-locket pendant from the collection of Bentley & Skinner, Jewellers by Royal Appointment to His Majesty King Charles III, to the centre a cushion-cu...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Victorian Blue Enamel Locket and Earrings
Located in London, GB
A Victorian blue enamel pair of earrings and locket, the oval drop set with pearl and diamond-set stylised Byzantine cross beneath gold scrolling runs, with matching locket, circa 18...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
French Late 19th Century Gem-Set Fly Locket
Located in London, GB
This antique locket is in excellent condition for its age. This charming locket pendant comes from the collection of Bentley & Skinner, Jewellers by Royal Appointment to His Majesty...
Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 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.
Whether you’re layering multiple jewelry pieces or opting for a single strand, vintage pendant necklaces are versatile accessories that can elevate your casual wear as easily as they can add a creative flourish to your formal attire.
The earliest jewelry was less about accessorizing than it was about wearers arming themselves with amulets. In Ancient Egypt, some amulets featured a loop so that they could be strung around one’s neck. While rubies have long been one of the few gemstones that can give diamonds a run for their money, members of some ancient civilizations valued the stones from the get-go, donning ruby pendants as well as other stones with the belief that these adornments would bring protection, healing powers or strength. Today, we still wear our charm bracelets and charm pendants around our necks for good luck.
Later, pendant necklaces, like most fine jewelry, were worn strictly by royalty or the upper class and conferred wealth and prestige. This changed over time, thankfully, as wearing jewelry became more widespread, a democratized means of personal expression.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, pendant necklaces evolved from their status as spiritual amulets, but the jewels still carried deep personal significance. Victorian pendants, in particular, were part of the “mourning jewelry” tradition. Wearers would embed their pendants with locks of hair from a deceased loved one as a way of grieving in the wake of a loss. In the case of cameo jewelry, some pendants were even decorated with miniature hand-carved portraits in a detailed raised relief. Today, portraiture is still a characteristic of many of the hand-carved pendant necklaces offered by Italian jewelry house Scala Gioielli.
Luxury fine jewelry brands such as Cartier, BVLGARI and David Yurman offer their own unique interpretations of the cherished accessory, embellishing platinum or gold pendant necklaces with diamonds, sapphires and other stones.
On 1stDibs, find an extraordinary range of vintage pendant necklaces and other necklaces today.
If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.
Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.
After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.