Skip to main content

Vhernier Diamond Earrings

Vhernier Eclisse black jet 18k Gold and diamonds clip earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
rhodium plated and diamonds. are a symbol of Vhernier’s unconventionality. Their extreme wearability is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Jade, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Eclisse black jet 18k Gold and diamonds clip earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
These gold Eclisse earrings, covered in stunning pavé diamonds and polished black jet, are a symbol
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Jade, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Eclisse black jet 18k Gold and diamonds clip earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
These gold earrings, covered in stunning pavé diamonds Earclips in 18K yellow and white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Jade, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Freccia Earrings 18 Karat Gold and Jade Rock Crystal with Diamonds
By Vhernier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Vhernier Freccia earrings 18k Yellow Gold and Jade Rock Crystal New Rest of Boutique Stock.- These
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Jade, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Vhernier Vintage Spiral Snail Shell 18k Diamond Chrysophrase Earclips Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Miami, FL
- 18k - Chrysophrase Condition: The earrings are in overall great condition with no major
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Recent Sales

Vhernier Verso Diamond Gold Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of Vhernier Verso earrings, set in 18k gold with approx. 8-9cts in G/VS diamonds. Earrings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

VHERNIER Venezia Earclips
By Vhernier
Located in London, GB
There is no other jewellery quite like Vhernier jewellery. The weight and quality of the gold work
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold

Magnificent Vhernier "Zingara" Pavé Diamond and Jet Ear Clips in Gold
By Vhernier
Located in Miami Beach, FL
A Pair of Vhernier 18 Karat White Gold "Zingara" Diamond and Jet Ear Clips Featuring 418
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vhernier Pavé Diamond Vague Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
"Vague" Collection pavé-set diamond clip earrings in 18k gold by VHERNIER. Curved, rhomboid design
Category

2010s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vhernier Calla Diamond White Gold Dangle Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Slick and elegant earrings created by Italian jewelry house Vhernier for Calla Collection. Feminine
Category

Early 2000s Italian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vhernier Titanium Diamond Large Fibula Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vhernier titanium "Fibula" earrings, bezel-set with forty-four round brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

2010s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Titanium

Vhernier 18k Gold Diamond Abbraccio Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
diamonds at center. Diamonds weighing approximately 1.00 total carats. Clip backs signed 'VHERNIER' with
Category

2010s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

VHERNIER Diamond Quartz Palloncini Balloon White Gold Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond Quartz Palloncini Balloon Earrings by Vhernier. With 26 round brilliant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Vhernier Earrings 18k Gold Diamond Black Onyx Astrological Estate
By Vhernier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of vintage Vhernier earrings made of 18 karat yellow gold with diamond and black onyx. The
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Freccia Earrings 18 Karat Gold and Jade Rock Crystal with Diamonds
By Vhernier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Vhernier Freccia earrings 18k Yellow Gold and Jade Rock Crystal These Vhernier earclips feature a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Jade, Rock Crystal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Eclisse Medio 18 Karat Rose Gold 0.98 Carat Diamond Earclips
By Vhernier
Located in Southampton, PA
The Vhernier “Eclisse Medio” earrings are made of 18K rose gold and embellished with diamonds that
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Vhernier Pink Quartz Diamond Gold Balloon Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
quartz shaped to resemble a balloon tied to a string of gold, the knot set with small round diamonds
Category

20th Century Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

Vhernier Calla Necklace / Earrings Set Diamonds Black Onyx 18 Karat White Gold
By Vhernier
Located in Miami, FL
Guaranteed authentic exquisite Vhernier Calla Diamond and Onyx necklace and earring set. Adjustable
Category

2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vhernier Citrine, Rock Crystal and Diamond Balloon Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Weston, MA
Whimsy and color combine to make these earrings fun to wear! Citrines are mounted over rock crystal
Category

Late 20th Century Romantic Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Limited Edition Blue Chalcedony and Diamond Large Eclisse Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
A limited edition from the iconic Eclisse Collection, by cutting edge Italian jeweler Vhernier
Category

2010s Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

VHERNIER Estate Rock Quartz, Mother of Pearl & Diamond Shell Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Narberth, PA
A fantastic pair of Estate earrings signed by Italian maker Vhernier! These wonderful seashell
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold

Vhernier Rhodochrosite, Rock Crystal and Diamond Balloon Earclips
By Vhernier
Located in Weston, MA
diamonds Stamped 750 for 18k gold Maker’s mark for Vhernier
Category

Late 20th Century Romantic Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Rhodocrosite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

"Balloon" Quartz Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Clip-On Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A fun and fine pair of "balloon" earrings. Wonderfully made in 18k white gold, the balloon portion
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, White Gold, 18k Gold

Vhernier Plateau Diamond Gold Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Pair of impressive Plateau earrings, set in 18k gold with a total of 6.42ctw in G/VS diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vhernier Gold Diamond Frog Stud Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k gold and diamond frog earrings by Vhernier. Earrings are 17mm x 15mm. Marked Vhernier
Category

20th Century Italian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vhernier Black Stone Diamond Gold Frog Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
with approx. 0.44ctw in diamonds. Earrings measure 24mm x 21mm. Marked Vhernier, 750, 22P. Weight - 11
Category

20th Century Italian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

VHERNIER Gold Modern Diamond Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Marked/Tested Vhernier, 15, 750 Gemstones/Diamonds 26 Diamonds, Approx
Category

Italian Clip-on Earrings

VHERNIER Turquoise Diamond Seashell Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Metal: 18K white gold Marked/Tested VHERNIER, 750 Gemstones/Diamonds Diamonds- approx 0.28ctw
Category

Italian Clip-on Earrings

Vhernier Quartz Diamond Gold Balloon Dangle Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Greenwich, CT
, suspending a diamond-set string, the earrings mounted in 18k white gold, with clip backs. Diamonds weighing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

VHERNIER "PLATEAU PICCOLO" Pave Diamond Earclips
By Vhernier
Located in London, GB
A fine example of VHERNIER'S characteristic pave setting of diamonds using only two claws per stone
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

VHERNIER Mother-of-Pearl, Rock Crystal & Diamond Shell Earclips
By Vhernier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Mother-of-pearl backed rock crystal shell motif earclips, accented by pavé diamonds, the diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Adorable Vhernier Black Stone Diamond Gold Turtle Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k gold stud earrings by Vhernier, featuring black stone and diamond adorned turtles. Earrings
Category

20th Century Italian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vhernier Crystal Diamond Mother of Pearl Shell Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Lambertville, NJ
and accented with diamonds. Earrings measure 23mm x 16mm. Marked Vhernier and 750. weight - 26.5 gr
Category

20th Century Italian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold

Vhernier Rock Crystal Diamond Gold Abalone Balloon Earrings
By Vhernier
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Vhernier 18k white gold, diamond, turquoise abalone shell, and rock crystal clip earrings. Measures
Category

20th Century Italian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold

People Also Browsed

Certified Aquamarine Diamond Long Dangle Earrings in 14k White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Certified Aquamarine Diamond Long Dangle Earrings in 14K Gold to make a statement with your look. You shall need dangle earrings to make a statement with your look. These earrings cr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Nouveau Dangle Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Exquisite Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond Panther Earring in 14K Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Presenting Exquisite and Luxurious Ruby, Emerald, Blue Sapphire and Diamond Panther Earring curated in 14K Yellow Gold. Unleash your wild side, with our wildlife collection. Featurin...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Harry Winston, Platinum and Diamond Pendant Earrings
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Platinum And Diamond Pendant Earrings By Harry Winston. Set With Two Pear-Shaped Diamonds 5.56ct, D- VS2 GIA # XXXXXX ) 5.05ct, D-VS2 (GIA # XXXXXX) Suspended By Clusters Of 12 Pe...
Category

Late 20th Century American Artist Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Tiffany & Co., 5.06 Carats Diamond Engagement Ring
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
This beautiful engagement ring crafted by Tiffany & Co. boasts one emerald cut diamond weighing 5.06 carats with F color, VS2 clarity, surrounded by 28 calibre cut baguettes weighing...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Pomellato Rose Gold Diamond Duna Earrings
By Pomellato
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Pomellato Rose Gold Diamond Duna Earrings A pair of unique 18k rose gold Pomellato hoop earrings from the Duna collection. The earrings comprises of a bombe style each with 15 round ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

2.45 Carat Elongated Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This unique ring, boasts a 2.45 carat elongated cushion cut diamond mounted in compass style claw prongs, in a beautiful flush setting. Perfect for the heirloom seeker! Metal: 18 K...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1.41 Carat Unheated Lavender Sapphire Cushion Three Stone Platinum Ring
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills proudly presents a captivating three stone platinum engagement ring centered on a 1.41 carat unheated Lavender Sapphire, precision cut in a romantic cus...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Platinum

Cartier 3 birds pendant brooch in 18k white gold and extra heart shape emerald
By Cartier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Cartier 3 birds pendant brooch in 18k white gold and extra heart shape emerald With 60 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity- E color, 2.50ct Measurements: 72x 34 cm / 2 3/4" x...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vhernier Eclisse 18k gold ring with pavé diamonds
By Vhernier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Ring in 18K gold and diamonds. Diamonds 100, ct. 1,17. Diamond quality DEF, IF to VVS New Rest of Boutique Stock.- Ring weight 25.55gr Ring Size 17 Europe Serial number 259515 In...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef & Arpels Burma Ruby & Burma Sapphire Long Dia Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Van Cleef & Arpels, Ruby , Blue Sapphire & Diamond Sautoir with a Detachable Sapphire Bracelet. Circa 1978. The total length is 117 inches and can be worn with several different len...
Category

Vintage 1970s American Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

19th Century Necklace Imperial Topazes & Diamonds in Rose Gold and Silver setti
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Prominent XIX century pendant necklace of beautiful oval shape Imperial topazes and diamonds, in rose gold setting and central topaces in silver ornaments. MATERIAL ◘ Weight 103.8 ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Arts and Crafts Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Imperial Topaz, Rose Gold, Silver

Mandarin Garnet Ring Oval 18K Yellow Gold Diamonds - Romantic Gift Beverly Hills
By Merkaba
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vibrant 3.85 Carat Mandarin Garnet and Diamond Ring – Merkaba Jewelry Beverly Hills. Introducing the Vibrant Mandarin Garnet and Diamond Ring, a stunning masterpiece that combines t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Mandarin Garnet, 18k Gol...

Spectra Fine Jewelry Round & Pear-Shaped Diamond Earrings
By Spectra Fine Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
These exquisite earrings feature a pair of pear-shaped diamonds, renowned for their graceful and tapered silhouette, making them the perfect choice for stunning drop earrings that ca...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

David Webb Pagoda Tassel Emerald And Turquoise Diamond Drop Dangling Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Estate David Webb tassel earrings from the iconic Pagoda collection. These striking earrings exude a bold, vintage charm with a playful yet sophisticated design. Crafted in 18K gol...
Category

20th Century American Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Vhernier Diamond Earrings", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Vhernier Diamond Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of vhernier diamond earrings. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 18k gold and rose gold. Find a collection of 2 vintage versions or 10 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 20th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of vhernier diamond earrings made by modern jewelers — as well as those associated with contemporary — are very popular. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by Vhernier are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Any of these pieces can lend versatility to your look, but diamond versions, from our inventory of 9, are particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for brilliant cut vhernier diamond earrings and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes cabochon and round cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of vhernier diamond earrings, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Vhernier Diamond Earrings?

On average, vhernier diamond earrings at 1stDibs sell for $5,303, while they’re typically $2,025 on the low end and $48,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Vhernier for sale on 1stDibs

Vhernier has a progressive approach to modern jewelry rooted in patience with meticulous attention to detail. The Italian brand was founded in 1984 in Valenza, a historic jewelry city, as a goldsmith’s workshop. It crafts timeless rings, earrings, bracelets and other fine pieces. 

Carlo Traglio, a former bottler and distributor for Coca-Cola, was a passionate collector of Vhernier jewelry before, in 2001, he acquired the company. Angela Camurati, Vhernier’s co-founder and design lead, insisted on two conditions: first, that the design philosophy could not change. The second condition was that the company would stay in Valenza.

Vhernier continues to be boldly different, and that is as true in their designs as their production methods. In the same town as jewelry giants BVLGARI, Fope and Damiani, Vhernier has workshops specializing in various aspects of its creations. Pieces travel from goldsmiths, to gem setters, to polishers before reaching a quality control headquarters.

Vhernier’s most iconic piece, the Calla necklace, took years of conceptualizing to perfect a cone-shaped design that has remained largely unchanged since its inception. The conical motif is adaptable and provides a consistency across necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Calla necklaces have been released in titanium, ebony and platinum, bringing this enduring favorite into the 21st century.

The exclusive Vhernier Bridge bracelet is another exemplary piece with smooth sides and precise edges which feature hidden diamonds and gemstones between sections. Each Bridge bracelet takes 45 days to create, with the company producing around eight per year.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of Vhernier rings, bracelets, earrings and more.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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.

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 ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Earrings for You

In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.

Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.

Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.

While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.