Untreated And Unheated Diamonds

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of untreated and unheated diamonds. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 18k gold and platinum. Find a collection of 205 vintage versions or 293 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 18th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. The designs in our inventory of untreated and unheated diamonds bearing contemporary or modern hallmarks are very popular. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by Gems and Jewels UK, Antinori Fine Jewels and Emilio! are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Many pieces in our collection are stylish for most occasions, but diamond versions, from our inventory of 391, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, day or night. A selection of oval cut, cushion cut and round cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of untreated and unheated diamonds, as most of the options available are for women.

Prices for untreated and unheated diamonds can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $90 and can go as high as $6,500,000, while untreated and unheated diamonds, on average, fetch $10,874.

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.