Stephen Dweck Kyoto

Stephen Dweck is known as the “romancer of the stones” for his bold use of faceted gemstones and semiprecious stones in silver settings. The Brooklyn-born jeweler is inspired by a deep love of nature, handpicking gemstones and minerals, such as moonstones and white quartz, from around the world to create colorful, sculptural necklaces, earrings and other pieces that have been worn by the likes of Drew Barrymore and Barbara Walters.

“I use stones as an artist works with paints,” Dweck once told Robb Report. By selecting stones for their color, shape and other features, rather than just their value, no two pieces are alike, and each reflects a distinctive vision.

Dweck, who studied sculpture at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York, founded his eponymous house with a collection of stone bangles in 1981. He continues to operate his family-run business in the working-class neighborhood of Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. While his rings and other accessories can be found in major department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, he also consults with clients on special commissions from his atelier. Among his most unique details are the small “Adam” silver and bronze beetles that often adorn his pieces.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the scene — a few decades of operation is the blink of an eye in the jewelry world — Dweck’s pieces are already in impressive collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Dallas Museum of Art in Texas. They’ve also been seen on screen in such shows as Fox’s Empire.

Find a collection of vintage Stephen Dweck 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.