Mystery Set Van Cleef
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Cufflinks
Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American More Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1960s French Dome Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French More Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1960s American Dome Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Cufflinks
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Link Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1970s French Retro Cufflinks
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Wrist Watches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century French Fashion Rings
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, ...
2010s American Contemporary Dome Rings
Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 2000s French Pants
1990s French Cardigans
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
Early 2000s Pants
Late 20th Century French Artist Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
Early 2000s French Tank Tops
Vintage 1980s American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s British Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s French Skirt Suits
1990s Italian Tank Tops
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
Recent Sales
American Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold
20th Century Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
French Dome Rings
Ruby
Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
20th Century French Clip-on Earrings
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cufflinks
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Dome Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Fashion Rings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Modern Bracelets
White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Cufflinks
Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Bangles
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century American Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Dome Rings
Diamond, Sapphire
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, 18k Gold
1990s French More Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
American Cocktail Rings
American Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Mystery Set Van Cleef For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Mystery Set Van Cleef?
The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design
Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.
From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!
There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.
Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.
In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).
When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.