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Botswana agate, 14kt gold, old mine cut diamonds and tsavorite green garnets
Located in New Orleans, LA
brilliant green faceted tsavorite very fine green garnets and eight brilliant old mine cut diamonds. These
Category

2010s American Byzantine Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 14k Gold

Victorian Demantoid Garnet & Rose Cut Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: A victorian period Demantoid garnet, and rose cut diamond navette
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

Victorian Garnet and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in London, GB
garnet flanked by three old cut diamonds on either side and crafted in 18ct yellow gold. Condition
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Garnet, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Victorian Diamond Demantoid Garnet 14 Karat Gargoyle Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
With the face of a horned gargoyle With two small round cut demantoid garnet eyes Holding an old
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gorgeous Green Garnet Diamond Platinum Necklace
Located in New York, NY
brilliant green demantoid garnets and very fine old European cut diamonds. Suspended from an 18" platinum
Category

Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Gold, Sterling Silver, Diamond, and Demantoid Garnet Serpent Pin
Located in Princeton, NJ
Garnets -Old Mine cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.90 carats -Victorian, likely 1890s.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau Diamond Demantoid Garnet 14 Karat Gold Frog Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a cute and stylized frog Set throughout by round cut demantoid garnets and old
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Australian Opals Diamonds Garnet 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Marcianise, IT
ring.Handmade by craftsmen assembled with Australian opals,garnet and old cut diamonds. Ring total weight 6.40
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet, Opal, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Edwardian 18 Karat Gold Garnet Rhodolite 0.38 Carat Diamond Three-Stone Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
: - 1 garnet rhodolite - 2 diamonds (old mine cut, TW 0.38ct, RW-W, VS-SI) Weight: 3.03g Size: 19.25
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 18k Yellow Gold Demantoid Garnet and Diamond Griffin Brooch
Located in New York, NY
design is further elevated by a regal crown, adorned with vibrant demantoid garnets and shimmering old
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Antique 18K Gold Platinum Opal, Demantoid Garnet, Diamond, Enamel Pansy Necklace
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
one carved opal, one round cut demantoid garnet, eight old single cut diamonds, and white and blue
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Opal, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Antique Garnet And Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique russian ring centered with 1 natural garnet flanked with 2 old mine cut diamonds estimate
Category

Vintage 1920s Cocktail Rings

Antique French 18K Gold Garnet and Diamond Bangle
Located in Braintree, GB
bangle featuring a central cabochon garnet surrounded by 18 old-mine cut diamonds. The middle section is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Link Bracelets

Materials

18k Gold

Belle Époque Natural Pearl, Garnet and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
old-cut diamond, the platinum and yellow gold mount with diamond-set shoulders, circa 1900, bearing
Category

Early 20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian 1.19 Carat Garnet, Old Cut Diamond and Blue Enamel Cluster Ring
Located in Essex, GB
from IGR (#30306838). Cut – Oval cut sapphire and old mine cut diamonds. Colour – Round cut garnet
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Garnet Old European Cut Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Sydney CBD, AU
tested) 5 stone Diamond & Garnet ring. Old European cut Diamond 4 claw set with 1 round Garnet 4 claw
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

Mid 19th Century Red Cabochon Garnet White Old Cut Diamond Brooch Gold Silver
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique cabochon garnet and old cut diamond brooch, mounted in gold and silver. Mid 19th century.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Silver

Victorian Demantoid Garnet Diamond Crescent Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Removable Old Mine Cut Diamond Crown English Circa 1880
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Garnet, White Diamond, 15k Gold

Georgian Almandine Garnet Diamond Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
A rare example of an early Georgian ring which has been set with almandine garnets and old mine cut
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century British Georgian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 15k Gold

Edwardian Grass Green Garnet and Diamond Ring
Located in London, GB
Of a lovely scrolling design and set with 3 Green (Demantoid) Garnets and 4 small Old European cut
Category

Vintage 1910s British Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Victorian Almandine Garnet Diamond Star 14 Karat Gold Granulation Earrings
Located in Munich, DE
nice are the gold stars in the center on top of the garnets with two round old cut diamonds of
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Finesse: Diamond Demantoid Pearl Earrings
Located in Wimberley, TX
saltwater pearls (untested but guaranteed to be natural), twelve (12) demantoid garnets and twelve (12) old
Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Natural Pearl

Garnet Old-Cut Diamond Gold Bar Pin
Located in Dallas, TX
14 Karat serpentine line with old cut diamonds topped with a red garnet. A dapper look for the
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Circa 1930s Garnet & Old Cut Diamond Crossover Ring 15 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
garnet flanked by two shimmering round diamonds, all set carefully into a trio of claw settings held in
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold

Vintage 14K Yellow Gold, Old European Cut Diamond & Garnet Flower Ring
Located in McLeansville, NC
old European cut diamond weighing approximately .45 carat surrounded by a halo of round cut garnets
Category

1990s Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Old Cut Diamond Cabochon Cut Garnet Star Ring
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
beautiful cabochon cut garnet encrusted with old cut diamonds. Weight: 5.58g Size: 16.25 (US 5.75
Category

Late 20th Century English Victorian Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Garnet & Old Mine Cut Diamond Cluster Ring – Platinum on 18kt Gold
Located in Sandnes, NO
features a graceful scalloped silhouette adorned with 10 sparkling old mine cut diamonds—each full of
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Garnet and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Garnet and Old Mine Cut Diamond Ring. This interesting
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Retro Garnet 0.51 Carat Old European Cut Diamond 14 Karat Gold Unisex Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.51 carat; I color with VS clarity
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Almandine Garnet and Old Cut Diamond Cluster Pendant in 18k Gold
Located in London, GB
A beautiful late Victorian almandine garnet and old cut diamond cluster pendant set in 18k yellow
Category

Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Garnet Bracelet with 20 Old Cut Diamonds Est 1.8 Carat
Located in Canterbury, England
gold and is set with garnets and twenty old cut diamonds, secured by a box and tongue clasp. A total
Category

Antique 18th Century More Bracelets

Materials

Garnet, Diamond, Rose Gold

Antique Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Old Cut Diamond and Demantoid Stick Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Old Cut Diamond and Demantoid Stick Pin. This beautiful
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Fire Opal Demantoid Garnet Diamond Gold Ring
Located in London, GB
decorative gold mount, with surrounding demantoid garnets and old-cut and rose-cut diamonds. Opal diameter
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Gold

Antique Russian Demantoid Garnet and Diamond Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Color Ural Demantoid Garnets. Surrounded by Old European cut Diamonds totaling 1 Carat. Finger size 6 1
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

Victorian 5.7 Carat Garnet Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
center cabochon cut red garnet weighing approximately 5.7 carat 14 old mine cut diamonds weighing
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

1890s Late Victorian Garnet Diamond Silver Gold Crab Brooch
Located in London, GB
surround of old cut diamonds, the legs and claws set with demantoids and rose cut diamonds and with ruby
Category

Antique 1890s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Silver

Antique Edwardian 18K Gold Old Euro Diamond and Demantoid Engagement Ring
Located in Great Neck, NY
beautiful old European cut diamond in the center and has a row of demantoid garnets and smaller old European
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 3.30 Carat Moonstone Garnet Diamond Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
green demantoid garnets and 5 old European cut diamonds in 14k yellow gold setting. 1 oval cabochon
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Demantoid Garnet Turtle Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Whimsical 18K Yellow Gold Turtle Brooch, set with Green Demantoid Garnets and Old Mine Cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

3.54 Carat Oval Garnet Diamond Halo Yellow Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Stamford, CT
richness of the Garnet. 1 oval reddish purple rhodolite garnet, approx. 3.54cts 16 old mine cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

GIA Certified 3.85 Carat Opal Diamond Garnet Platinum Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
garnets, 4 old European cut diamonds, 18 single cut diamonds and one 7mm natural pearl dangle. GIA
Category

Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1880's Victorian Demantoid Garnet Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Gold Statement Necklace
Located in Philadelphia, PA
by demantoid garnet and old European cut diamonds weighing in total approximately 0.30 carat
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Flexible Victorian Snake Gold Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
, accented by old mine cut diamonds. Circa 1890
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Retro Bracelets

Materials

Garnet, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Demantoid Pendant
Located in Aspen, CO
garnets and old European cut diamonds.
Category

20th Century Drop Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, 18k Gold

Enamel & Gold Lorgnettes
Located in London, GB
musical instruments on the other, set with rubies, garnets, emeralds and old-cut diamonds, with red
Category

Antique 1870s More Objets d'Art and Vertu

Antique Garnet Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique garnet old mine-cut diamonds and gold ring circa 1900. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: #R-DJ68K
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Fancy Cut Garnet and Old Mine Cut Diamond Horseshoe Rose Gold Band Ring
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
(approximate) Garnet cut: Fancy Natural Diamonds: .08 ctw Diamond cut: Old Mine Diamond color: G-H Diamond
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique French 18K Gold Garnet and Diamond Navette Ring
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique French 18K gold navette-shaped ring featuring three rose-cut garnets and two old European
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Victorian Garnet Insects and Stars Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
garnets and old-cut diamonds SIZE: 1 3/4 inches high WEIGHT: 15.8 grams total STONES: Garnet
Category

Antique 1870s English Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Garnet and Diamond Cross Necklace
Located in London, GB
garnets applyed with old- and rose-cut diamond-set stars to the centres, suspended from a larger circular
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Garnet, Opal and Diamond Lizard Brooch
Located in London, GB
alternating round faceted demantoid garnets and old brilliant-cut diamonds to the centre of two rows of
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Demantoid Garnet Diamond Chequerboard Ring
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A cool antique chequerboard ring set with demantoid garnets and old cut diamonds. The stones are
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 15k Gold

Natural 0.80ct Old Cut Diamond & Flat Pear Garnet Gold Sunburst Cluster Ring
Located in St Helens, GB
A stunning Old Cut Diamond and Garnet cluster ring. ​Designed with a natural 5.9mm diameter old
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British George III Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 9k Gold

Victorian 18 Carat Gold Old Cut Diamond Garnet Double Snake Band Ring
Located in St Helens, GB
true antique example c1880. Each head is set with a 3.2mm diameter old cut diamond with a garnet
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Demantoid Garnet and Old Cut Diamond Three-Stone Platinum Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A old cut demantoid garnet and diamond three stone ring. With intricate pierced work to the head of
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Platinum

Demantoid Garnet and Old Cut Diamond Three-Stone Platinum Ring, circa 1920s
Located in London, GB
A brilliant cut demantoid garnet and diamond three stone ring. With intricate pierced work to the
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Platinum

Victorian 15k Gold Oval Garnet and Old Cut Diamond Brooch circa 1870
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
fashioned garnet set with star set old cut diamond cluster. The deep eye catching red of the garnet is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Platinum Rhodolite Garnet and Rose Cut Diamond Statement Ring
Located in St Helens, GB
's. ​Designed with a large rhodolite garnet to the centre with four rose cut diamonds to the head
Category

20th Century British Art Deco Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Platinum

Garnet And Diamond Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This huge honey has a center garnet surrounded by old european cut diamonds weighing 1.75cts total
Category

Unknown Cocktail Rings

Materials

Garnet

Victorian Garnet and Diamond Bangle Bracelet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k yellow gold Victorian bangle bracelet with alternating garnets and two old european cut
Category

Unknown Bangles

Materials

Garnet

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Garnet Old Cut Diamonds For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of garnet old cut diamonds. Frequently made of Gold, 14k Gold and Yellow Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Find a collection of 10 vintage versions or 2 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 18th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of garnet old cut diamonds made by Georgian jewelers — as well as those associated with Victorian — are very popular. Today, if you’re looking for old european cut garnet old cut diamonds and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes old mine cut and rose cut alternatives. If you’re browsing the variety of garnet old cut diamonds for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men.

How Much are Garnet Old Cut Diamonds?

On average, garnet old cut diamonds at 1stDibs sell for $2,003, while they’re typically $1,137 on the low end and $9,239 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.  

Questions About Garnet Old Cut Diamonds
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    How old an old European-cut diamond is varies. The old European cut is a precursor to the modern round brilliant cut. The stone appears circular when looked at from the top (because of its low table or largest facet) and has a high crown (the part above the middle of the stone) with larger facets. The tip of the stone, or the culet, is flat instead of pointed. This style was used predominantly in the 19th century, hence the name. It is best to consult a certified appraiser for assistance with dating and identifying antique jewelry. On 1stDibs, find a variety of European-cut diamond jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Mine cut diamonds are up to 300 years ago. Mine cut diamonds were popular around the 18th century during Victorian times and are still in high demand today. You’ll find a wide selection of mine cut diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Because the old mine cut is no longer used on diamonds, diamonds with this cut are rare and so you can often get quite a lot of money for them. Nevertheless, it is still dependent on the quality of the individual diamonds and on the color, clarity, cut and carat number.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021
    Yes, old European cut diamonds can be worth more than many other cut diamonds as they are not produced anymore. This cut was developed and popularized between the years 1890 and 1930 and is likely to be found in an antique ring belonging to this period and featuring a round-cut diamond.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Old mine cut diamonds are usually worth less than old european cut diamonds. Because they are generally 10-15% less expensive, they are often larger than other cut diamonds for engagement rings.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Although old European cut diamonds are often priced lower than modern cuts, due to scarcity, they can sometimes be more valuable than modern cut diamonds.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Jewelry makers stopped using the old European cut for diamond and other gemstone jewelry around 1930. The style was common during the Art Deco period, but the brilliant cut became popular in the years that followed. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Old European cut diamond gemstone jewelry.
  • Like any other diamond, an old mine cut diamond's worth depends on a variety of factors. These factors include the 4C's (color, clarity, cut, carat), the overall beauty and "make" of the stone, the demand, supply, etc. On average however, old mine cuts are typically priced slightly lower (around 5-10%) than modern cut diamonds.