Suzy Lev 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cushion-Cut Yellow Sapphire and Diamond Ring
By Suzy Levian
Located in Great Neck, NY
Jewelry Type: Fine Stone Shape: Cushion Band Width: 1-2 mm, 2-3 mm Clarity: SI1-SI2 Number of Gemstones: 1 Diamond Color: White, H-I Side Stone: Diamond Gold Karat: 14k Gemstone Cut:...
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bewildering Sapphire Tourmaline Tsavorite Yellow 18K Gold Ring For Her
By Natkina
Located in Genève, GE
Ring Yellow 18K Gold Pink Sapphire 2.90 ct Diamonds 0.40 ct Green tourmaline 14.83 ct Orange Sapphire 2.71 ct Tsavorites 0.96 ct Weight 16 grams It is our honour to create fine ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, ...
Rare Gem 22k Gold Armlet 'Bazuband' Mughal India 18th-19th Century
Located in Scotts Valley, CA
Details: A stunning unique antique pendant in 22K yellow gold with 11 gemstones, and studded with diamonds, engraved and adorned with enamel work. Originally an armband, and later co...
Coral, Diamond, Garnet, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tiger's Eye, Turqu...
Louis Newman & Company GIA certified 5 Carat Elongated Cushion Solitaire Ring
By Louis Newman & Company
Located in New York, NY
Because cushions are typically deep cut stones its not so easy to make them elongated with such a big spread and not shaving off too much diamond from the rough. This one is a 1.42 r...
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Ox Blood Red Coral Bead Necklace 4.8mm Beads with 14K Clasp 19"
Located in Big Bend, WI
Freshly knotted. There is a tiny rough cut diamond accent in the clasp. The necklace measures 18 7/8" long and weighs 8.85dwt.
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
De Beers White Gold Talisman Hoop Earrings E103359
By De Beers
Located in Mayfair, London, London
The earrings feature rough and polished diamonds with a textured surface, each set with 11 rough and 12 polished diamonds with an approximate total weight of ~2.20 carats.
18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Open Back Crystal Double Row Choker Necklace, Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
These open-back pieces were the most-demanded items at Barneys New York, where I sold them. These resemble diamonds on the skin and are truly magnificent. The largest dealers from In...
Mixed Metal
Antique 15K Gold Amethyst Scarab and Serpent Scepter Ruby Pin
Located in New York, NY
The scarab is accented with rough-cut diamond eyes set in platinum, adding a touch of old-world intrigue.
Amethyst, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Base Metal
Vintage Open Back Crystal Long Sautoir Necklace, Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
These open-back pieces were the most-demanded items at Barneys New York, where I sold them. These resemble diamonds on the skin and are truly magnificent. The largest dealers in Indi...
Mixed Metal
Stone Feelings, Mixed Media on Paper
By Cheryl Johnson
Located in Yardley, PA
Stone Feelings My heart is filled with words. Rough like an an unpolished diamond ready to morph into facets of beauty.
Mixed Media
Vintage Open-Back Crystal Necklace, Silver-Tone, Circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
The crystals are set in a silver-tone base with double links holding them in place. These resemble diamonds on the skin and are truly magnificent. The largest dealers from India sel...
Mixed Metal
Early to Mid-20th Century Molded Glass Table Lamps for Restoration, circa 1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of early to mid-20th century molded glass table lamps for restoration, circa 1940 Early 20th century elegance in need of restoration Truly a pair of magnificent "diamond i...
Glass
Black Diamond Disc Flutter Necklace by Allison Bryan
By Allison Bryan
Located in London, GB
This delicate necklace features a solid 9-carat gold disc accentuated with a rustic rosecut pear-shaped black diamond. The diamond and the disc hang independently from a fine 18-inch...
Black Diamond, 9k Gold
Wedding Bells Diamond 14 Karat Gold Ring, Band, Elevated Setting, .05 Carat
Located in Milford, DE
An exquisite diamond band! This ring features three diamonds on a 14K yellow gold band and white gold setting. The largest, round-cut diamond (2.1 x 2.1 mm) is prong set in an elevat...
Diamond, 14k Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond and Emerald Earrings 18 Karat
By Emeralds Maravellous
Located in Brunswick, ME
Designer 14mm White South Sea Cultured Pearl Diamond and Colombian Emerald Huggie Clip-on Earrings 18K Primary Stone: Natural South-Sea White Cultured Pearl Pearl Measurements: 14.00...
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, Emerald, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k...
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.