18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Celebrate mid-century vintage elegance with the 18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch – a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Vintage 1960s Lebanese Brooches
Diamond, Gold
18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Celebrate mid-century vintage elegance with the 18K Solid Gold Diamond Blue Bird Brooch – a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Diamond, Gold
$2,065 / item
18K White Gold Natural Diamond Eternity Ring
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
This exquisite double eternity ring merges contemporary design with classic sophistication. One band features a complete circle of radiant round natural diamonds, their sparkle creat...
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
18K White Gold Fluted Hoop Earrings with Natural Diamonds
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
These 18K white gold fluted earrings with pear-shaped natural diamonds are a must to add to your jewelry collection. The distinctive fluting provides textural depth, while pear-shape...
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold
$4,950 / item
Ralph Masri Heliopolis Diamond Gold Necklace
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold necklace with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Heliopolis collection, inspired by ancient Roman patterns and motifs. Lobster clasp. Comes with several length options. A...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$5,500 / item
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Emerald Necklace
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Striking diamond and emerald 18kt white gold necklace from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Also available in yellow or rose g...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$10,900 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold ring from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Hand Chain Bracelet with Natural Diamonds
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
Ethereal and effortlessly cool, this piece is designed to feel like a second skin—light, fluid, and quietly captivating. Fine white gold chains drape gracefully from wrist to finger,...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$9,950 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Necklace
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold necklace from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (1.85cts).
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Ruby Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Statement 18k white gold diamond (0.60cts) and ruby (1.10cts) ring from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Size 7.5
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Ruby Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Captivating 18k white gold diamond (0.40cts) and ruby (0.75cts) ring from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Size 7.25
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Ruby Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Captivating 18kt white gold diamond (1ct) and ruby (1.5cts) earrings from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Push backs for pier...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$10,750 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Disc Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold earrings from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (2.35cts).
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$11,800 / item
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond Bolt Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Available in white, yellow or rose gold. Push b...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Yellow Gold Crescent Diamond and Coral Pendant Necklace
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
This necklace is a statement of quiet confidence and modern symbolism. Sculpted in warm 18K yellow gold, the crescent-shaped pendant feels both protective and powerful, its fluted-te...
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ralph Masri 1919 Champagne Diamond Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Striking two-tone ring from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with champagne and white diamonds (1.96cts) on 18kt rose gold. Size 7
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$5,000 / item
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Emerald Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Unique diamond and emerald 18kt white gold ring from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Also available in yellow or rose gold, a...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,250 / item
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond Band
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold ring with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Available in white, yellow or rose gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold
18K White Gold, Multi-Shape Natural Diamond Station Bracelet
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
Delicate, effortless, and quietly luminous, this piece is designed to move with you. Slender links of polished white gold trace the skin with an airy lightness, punctuated by multi s...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Modernist Diamond Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds (1.60cts) and blue sapphires (0.70cts) from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasis...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,500 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Triangular Diamond Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Striking ring with overlapping triangles from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (1.02cts).
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$9,250 / item
Ralph Masri Heliopolis Diamond Gold Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Heliopolis collection, inspired by ancient Roman patterns and motifs. Available in yellow, rose or white gold. Push back...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$11,250 / item
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Available in white, yellow or rose gold. Push b...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$8,500 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Pink Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Striking 18kt rose gold earrings from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (1.17cts) and pink sapphires (1.36cts).
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$40,000 / item
Ralph Masri 4ct Emerald Diamond Cocktail Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Statement 18kt white gold ring with 4ct emerald and full diamond pavé set throughout, from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an e...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$584 / item
Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The Crystal Tables are proudly produced in Lebanon by combining top notch Industrial methods with authentic craftsmanship.
Steel
$584 / item
Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The Diamond side table by Rita Kettaneh Dimensions: The base: brushed stainless steel optionally plated with copper or brass The top: acrylic Materials: H 42 x W 45 x D 34.5 ...
Steel
$649 / item
Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The Diamond side table by Rita Kettaneh Dimensions: The base: brushed stainless steel plated with copper optionally plated with copper or brass The top: acrylic Materials: H 4...
Steel
$584 / item
Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The Diamond side table by Rita Kettaneh Dimensions: The base: brushed stainless steel optionally plated with copper or brass The top: acrylic Materials: H 42 x W 45 x D 34.5 ...
Steel
$649 / item
Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The diamond side table by Rita Kettaneh Dimensions: The base: brushed stainless steel plated with brass Optionally plated with copper or brass The top: acrylic Materials: H 42...
Steel
$649 / item
Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The Diamond side table by Rita Kettaneh Dimensions: The base: brushed stainless steel plated with copper optionally plated with copper or brass The top: acrylic Materials: H 4...
Steel
$28,000 / item
Ralph Masri Modernist Domed Emerald Diamond Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Domed 18kt white gold earrings with two 1.05ct emeralds (2.10cts total) and diamond pavé (3.40ct) from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architect...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K White Gold Double Cross Band Ring with Marquise Diamond
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
This piece is an expression of modern restraint with clean, sculptural, and quietly captivating lines. Polished 18K white gold curves intersect in a fluid, architectural form, creati...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Domed Arabesque Deco Diamond Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold domed earrings with diamonds (1.90cts) from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco t...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Modernist Diamond Sapphire Small Hoops
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold hoops with diamonds (1.50cts) and sapphires (0.70cts) from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasis...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Triple Band Ring with Natural Diamonds
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
This piece embodies a refined kind of luxury that is confident, tactile, and effortlessly sophisticated. Interlacing bands of luminous 18K yellow gold wrap the finger in a sculptural...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
'Yessayan' Designer Moving Diamond Bangle in 18ct Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
A stunning Yessayan designer moving diamond bangle crafted in rich 18ct yellow gold. This dynamic piece features three floating diamond centers that glide elegantly within an open fr...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$9,000 / item
Ralph Masri Arabesque Deco Diamond Hoops
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold hoops with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco touch. Available in yellow...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,850 / item
Ralph Masri Arabesque Deco Gold Diamond Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold ring with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco touch. Available in yellow...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$7,950 / item
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Sapphire Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Majestic diamond and emerald ring from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Also available in yellow or rose gold, and with sapphi...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$7,950 / item
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Emerald Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Majestic diamond and emerald ring from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Also available in yellow or rose gold, and with sapphi...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,000 / item
Ralph Masri Andromeda Diamond Ruby Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Unique diamond and ruby ring from Ralph Masri's Andromeda collection, inspired by the stars, galaxies and constellations. Also available in yellow or rose gold, and with sapphires o...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
$3,700 / item
Ralph Masri Modernist Diamond Double Band Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Edgy 18kt yellow gold ring with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasis on minimalist shapes and silhouettes...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$584 / item
The Diamond Side Table by Rita Kettaneh
Located in Geneve, CH
The Diamond side table by Rita Kettaneh Dimensions: The base: brushed stainless steel optionally plated with copper or brass The top: acrylic Materials: H 42 x W 45 x D 34.5 ...
Steel
$4,500 / item
Ralph Masri Arabesque Deco Diamond Star Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold ring with diamonds and green quartz from Ralph Masri's Arabesque Deco collection, inspired by Middle Eastern patterns and motifs infused with an Art Deco touch. Ava...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Ralph Masri Modernist Diamond and Sapphire Ring
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold ring with diamond pavé (0.80cts) and blue sapphires (0.35cts) on the edges from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architec...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Diamond Eternity Band Ring, 1.50ct, Modern Design
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
This piece redefines everyday luxury with a bold yet refined presence. Sculpted in rich 18K yellow gold, its rhythmic, architectural edges create a striking silhouette that feels mod...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond Bolt Yellow Gold Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt yellow gold earrings with diamonds (1.80cts) from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Push backs for pierced ears.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,780Sale Price / item|20% Off
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond and Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold earrings with diamonds and sapphire pears from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Available in white, yellow or...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$8,500 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Yellow Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Striking 18kt yellow gold earrings from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (1.17cts) and pink sapphires (1.36cts) on 18kt yellow gold.
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ralph Masri Modernist Oval Diamond and Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Statement 18kt white gold oval earrings with diamonds (2.85cts) and sapphires (1.10cts) from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with a...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ralph Masri Arched Modernist Diamond and Sapphire Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Edgy two-tone 18kt white gold earrings with diamonds (0.90cts) and sapphires (1.25cts) from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$4,300 / item
Ralph Masri 1919 Diamond Yellow Sapphire Studs
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Edgy 18kt yellow gold studs from Ralph Masri's '1919' Bauhaus-inspired collection, set with diamonds (0.58cts) and yellow sapphires (0.67cts).
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$9,200 / item
Modernist Diamond Sapphire Bangle
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Edgy 18kt white gold bangle with diamonds (1.15ct) and blue sapphires (1.55ct) from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasi...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,150 / item
Ralph Masri Phoenician Script Diamond Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Striking 18kt white gold earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Phoenician Script collection, inspired by the ancient Phoenician alphabet. Available in white, yellow or rose gold...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$9,450 / item
Ralph Masri Modernist Triangular Diamond Earrings
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
18kt white gold triangular earrings with diamonds from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasis on minimalist shapes and si...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,400 / item
Ralph Masri Modernist Diamond Sapphire Necklace
By Ralph Masri
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Elegant 18kt white gold necklace with diamonds and sapphires from Ralph Masri's Modernist collection, inspired by mid-century Modernist architecture with an emphasis on minimalist sh...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
18K Yellow Gold Small Hoop Earrings with Natural Pear-Shaped Diamonds
By Nijma M Fine Jewelry
Located in Toronto, CA
These small diamond hoop earrings showcase exquisite natural pear-shaped diamonds surrounded by sleek white 18K gold bezels. These delicate yet show-stopping hoops are sculpted from ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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.