Skip to main content

Vintage Art Deco Platinum Cocktail Watch

Art Deco Diamond Onyx Platinum Cocktail Watch by Hamilton
By Hamilton
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage Art Deco 0.95 carat diamond and black onyx, platinum cocktail watch by
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Art Deco 5.44ct Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Watch - Circa 1935
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 1930s 5.44 carat diamond, platinum Art Deco cocktail watch
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Platinum and Diamond Cocktail Watch, Ladies Wristwatch
Located in NEWARK, GB
This exquisite Art Deco ladies watch is crafted from dazzling diamonds and precious platinum
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Platinum Hamilton Ladies Diamond Watch 2.60ct Mined Diamonds 1930's
By Hamilton
Located in Dearborn, MI
Genuine Original Art Deco Antique from 1930's-1940's Platinum Ladies Hamilton Watch with 2.60
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Ladies Vintage Platinum Geneva .60 Carat Natural Diamonds Cocktail Pop-Up Watch
By Geneva
Located in Los Angeles, CA
, Manual Wind Pop-Up Cocktail Watch. It is set with 32 natural colorless diamonds weighing approximately
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1950s 2.92 Carat Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
state of the art technology (Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as platinum. This ladies cocktail watch
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Titus Late Art Deco Odeonesque Concealed Cocktail Bracelet Watch Diamonds Gold
By Titus
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco diamond and synthetic ruby odeonesque concealed bracelet and cocktail watch in 19.2kt
Category

Vintage 1940s Portuguese Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Ladies Platinum & Gold Longines Natural Diamond & Sapphire Manual Cocktail Watch
By Longines
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare Vintage Ladies Collectable Longines Movement, platinum top and 18k White Gold caseback
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum

Harry Winston Platinum Diamond Cocktail Watch with Audemars Piguet Movement
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
exceptional vintage diamond cocktail watch by Harry Winston, featuring refined Art Deco styling and exquisite
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Original Later Art Deco Platinum Cocktail Ring with Diamonds and a pearl
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
On offer is a white gold Later Art Deco Platinum Cocktail ring decorated with a 1 Akoya Pearl of
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

Vintage Ruby and Diamond Jaeger LeCoutre Watch, c.1930s
By Jaeger-LeCoultre
Located in London, GB
This striking 1930s Jaeger LeCoultre cocktail watch is crafted in 9 carat yellow gold and designed
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ring Platinum Old European Cut Diamond French Estate Jewelry
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A spectacular French Art Deco diamond ring made of platinum and 18k white gold. The center of the
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Watch Australian Opal White Diamond Blue Sapphire Gold Ring, Just Jules
Located in Dallas, TX
platinum watch casing set with ascending white diamond baguettes and round full-cut white diamonds, and
Category

2010s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Opal, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, G...

Art Deco Certified Natural Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring Platinum Gold 1930s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco certified 2.5-carat natural sapphire and 2.25-carat diamond cocktail or engagement ring in
Category

Vintage 1920s Portuguese Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, Gold

Art Deco Style Natural Ceylon No-Heat Sapphire Diamond Engagement Ring Platinum
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco style natural Ceylon no-heat sapphire and diamond ring in platinum. A striking sapphire
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Recent Sales

Art Deco Ladies Diamonds and Platinum Automatic Cocktail Wristwatch
Located in Viana do Castelo, PT
A Magnificent example of Art Deco ladies cocktail watch, with a Riviera type Diamond bracelet
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

4.10Ct Diamond & 0.72Ct Emerald, Platinum Cocktail Watch - Art Deco - Vintage
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
style cocktail watch in platinum; part of our vintage watch, diamond jewelry and estate jewelry
Category

Vintage 1940s English Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

6.70Ct Diamond & Platinum Cocktail Watch - Art Deco Style - Vintage Circa 1940
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 6.70 carat diamond and platinum vintage Art Deco style cocktail
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

0.82Ct Diamond Hamilton Cocktail Watch in Platinum - Art Deco Style - Vintage
By Hamilton
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond cocktail watch has been crafted in platinum with a bracelet style strap. This Art Deco style
Category

Vintage 1950s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

2.16Ct Diamond, Platinum & 14k White Gold Cocktail Watch - Art Deco - Vintage
By Hamilton
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
). This 1940s Art Deco cocktail watch is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Cartier Vintage Art Deco Cocktail Dress Watch Platinum and Diamond Set Very Rare
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A 14 mm rare women's vintage cocktail Art Deco dress watch by Cartier, in platinum, featuring a
Category

20th Century Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Hamilton Lady's Platinum Diamond Art Deco Cocktail Wristwatch
By Hamilton
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cocktail watch, jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning Art Deco style ladies Hamilton
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage 1.50 Carat Diamond and Platinum Ladies Cocktail Fob Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage Art Deco 1.50 carat diamond and platinum cocktail fob watch by 'Helvetia
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage 1940s 1.45 Carat Diamond and Platinum Ladies Cocktail Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1940's Art Deco 1.45 carat diamond and platinum ladies cocktail watch; part
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1940s 6.65 Carat Diamond and Platinum Cocktail Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning vintage Art Deco 1940's 6.65 carat diamond and platinum ladies cocktail watch; part of
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1940s 4.33 Carat Diamond Cocktail Watch in Platinum
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
hinged case back is clearly marked 'PLATINUM'. The bracelet of this Art Deco style cocktail watch
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Lucien Piccard Diamond Platinum Baguette Diamond Cocktail Watch
By Lucien Piccard
Located in Miami, FL
timeless design. This Art Deco Diamond watch was inspired by an elegant line bracelet design, and crafted
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Retro Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique French 3.07 Carat Diamond Cocktail Watch in Platinum
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond cocktail watch has been crafted in platinum. The asymmetric Art Deco design has a circular cream
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

4.46ct Diamond and 1.61Ct Emerald Cocktail Watch in Platinum Circa 1953
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
karat white gold cocktail watch; part of our vintage watch collections This stunning vintage ladies
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1950s 2.26 carat Diamond Platinum and White Gold Longines Cocktail Watch
By Longines
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
) diamonds; part of our vintage cocktail watch, jewelry and estate jewelry collections This stunning Art
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1940s Mimo Ladies Platinum White Gold Diamond Cocktail Wristwatch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
detract from the true representation of this fine vintage Art Deco cocktail watch. SKU: A1627
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Carnelian and Diamond Cocktail Ring Converted from Deco-Era Platinum Wristwatch
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
quality old-style single cuts. The platinum band is a perfect deco accompaniment. It's suitably unfussy
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Carnelian, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Art Deco 1.25ct Diamond Ring Platinum 14k White Gold Navette Sz 6
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage Art Deco diamond cocktail ring (circa 1920s to 1930s) crafted in platinum
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Admina Ladies Platinum and 4.82 Carat Diamond Manual Wind Wristwatch, circa 1940
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cocktail watch has been crafted in platinum, with a bracelet style strap. This Art Deco style ladies
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Colombian Emerald Diamond Engagement Cocktail Ring Platinum 1930s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Art Deco Certified Colombian Emerald and Diamond Engagement or Cocktail Ring in Platinum, 1930s. A
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

"Tourmaline Time" Vintage Platinum & Diamond Wristwatch Conversion Bracelet
By Hamilton
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Eytan has accumulated a lot of old ladies cocktail watches over the years. Most of them are, as
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum

Art Deco Platinum Old Cut Diamond Rectangular Cocktail Wrist Watch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an Art Deco cocktail wrist watch crafted in platinum and 836 hallmark steel. The
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1940s Diamond Platinum and White Gold Cocktail Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 0.84 carat diamond and platinum, 9 carat white gold cocktail watch; part of
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

1940s Art Deco 1.12 Carat Ruby and 1.01 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Watch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold cocktail watch has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with platinum settings. The asymmetrical
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

5 Carat Green Tourmaline Diamond Art Deco Platinum Cocktail Bracelet
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
An eye catching and truly one of a kind Art Deco tourmaline bracelet. This exquisite 1920s cocktail
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum

Vintage 18k White Gold Diamond and Sapphire Ring with Appraisal
Located in Eagan, MN
do happen to have a Antique Platinum Diamond & Sapphire working watch that goes with it quite nicely
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Diamond Platinum Ladies Cocktail Watch, c1929
Located in Westward ho, GB
For your consideration is this beautiful ladies platinum and white gold, diamond set, Art Deco
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

People Also Browsed

Miu Miu Red Floral Cheongsam-Style Dress with Balloon Bag, SS 2003
By Prada, Miuccia Prada
Located in London, GB
This Miu Miu ensemble features a cheongsam-inspired red cotton mini dress adorned with an all-over white Hawaiian floral print. The dress showcases a traditional mandarin collar with...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

F/W 2004 Dolce & Gabbana Black Lace Trim Light Blue Satin Slip Mini Dress
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in West Hollywood, CA
From Dolce & Gabbana’s Fall/Winter 2004 collection, this light blue satin slip dress features a V-neckline and delicate black lace trim along the neckline and hem. The figure-skimmin...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

Rare Men's Hublot MDM Sapphire Diamond 18k Gold Wrist Watch Ref. 1522
By Hublot
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Men's Hublot Wristwatch with Sapphire Bezel and Indexes Ref. 1522.3.081 Serial 282623 features a 37 mm x 44mm 18k yellow gold case, with a pave set diamond dial on a black rubber str...
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cotton striped bustier dress JEAN-PAUL GAULTIER JEANS
By Gaultier Jeans
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Cotton striped bustier dress with branded snap closure on the middle front. Pocket on both side with bow and eyelet. Smocks on the side of the bust. SIZE 38 (Fr) M
Category

1990s Indian Day Dresses

John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Ruffle Hem Dress
By John Galliano, Christian Dior
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous silk dress by John Galliano for Christian Dior in brightly colored flowers on a navy and burgundy background. The spaghetti strap bodice is semi fitted and adorned on one ...
Category

1990s Italian Day Dresses

Zuhair Murad Couture white silver gold beaded sequin mini wedding backless dress
By Zuhair Murad
Located in Milano, Lombardia
LOVE LALI VINTAGE An incredibly rare dress from Zuhair Murad Haute Couture Fall 2006 This really is a work of art, a tasseled flapper style mini dress. The dress is sheer mesh and i...
Category

Early 2000s Evening Dresses

F/W 2000 DOLCE & GABBANA sheer hot pink gown
By Dolce & Gabbana
Located in Austin, TX
F/W 2000 DOLCE & GABBANA sheer hot pink gown  Chest: 30-38", Waist: 20-32", Hips: 30-46", Length: 67-85" with adjustable tie straps sz 6
Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns

Gianni Versace Backless Silk Dress with Leather Trim
By Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni Versace
Located in Water Mill, NY
A gorgeous full length black silk gown from Gianni Versace Couture. It has a front scoop neck, a deep cut out back and fabulous tan leather shoulders. It is semi fitted though the ...
Category

1990s Italian Maxi Dress

Christian Dior by John Galliano Fuchsia Evening Coat with Fur Trim, FW 2007
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
A museum-grade Christian Dior evening coat, crafted from a cotton and silk blend in a rich fuchsia hue. The coat features dramatic, oversized raccoon fur trim on the sleeves and hem,...
Category

Early 2000s French Coats and Outerwear

1930s White Flower Print Ruffle Neck Bias Cut Cotton Voile Vintage Maxi Dress
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 30s white flower print lightweight cotton voile bias cut sleeveless maxi dress! Features a stark white background with bouquets of flowers in vibrant colors of pink, yellow...
Category

1930s Maxi Dress

Roberto Cavalli 2004 Purple & Gold Floral Silk Halter Gown Dress Backless
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Leonardo, NJ
Roberto Cavalli Vintage 2004 Purple Floral Print with Metallic Gold Throughout Size XS 100% Silk Pristine Measurements in inches laying flat: length 65, pit to pit 14, waist 12.5 FI...
Category

Early 2000s Evening Gowns

Prada Cleo Vintage Blue Silk Beaded Embroidery Shoulder Bag
By Prada
Located in AUBERVILLIERS, FR
Prada Cleo Vintage Blue Silk Beaded Embroidery Shoulder Bag These are professional photos of the actual bag offered by Luxbags. The Prada Cleo shoulder bag is a timeless classic....
Category

2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags

Azzedine Alaia Gold Lamé Couture Gown with Sequin Mosaic Detail, FW 1990
By Azzedine Alaïa
Located in London, GB
This rare, likely one-of-a-kind Azzedine Alaïa couture dress from the Fall-Winter 1990 collection is crafted from metallic gold lamé with a mosaic-like sequin overlay, creating a str...
Category

1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

1960s Christian Dior 32A Silk Three Piece Bloomers Bra 60s Vintage Lingerie Set
By Christian Dior
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare 1960s Christian Dior silk lingerie set ! Features baby blue silk bloomer shorts that have a button closure on the back. Two different bras—one in pink, and one in ivory. Dior lo...
Category

1960s French Bras

Christian Dior by John Galliano blue silk corset, fw 2001
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
▪ Christian Dior blue silk corset top ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Gathered polka-dot silk organza stomacher with velvet bands ▪ Raw silk side and back panels ▪ Silk fringe trim ▪...
Category

Early 2000s French Corsets

S/S 1996 Giorgio Armani Runway Silver Beaded Corset Bustier
By Giorgio Armani
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting a stunning silver beaded Giorgio Armani corset, designed by Giorgio Armani. From the Spring/Summer 1996 collection, this bustier debuted on the season's runway. This stunn...
Category

1990s Italian Bustiers

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Vintage Art Deco Platinum Cocktail Watch", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Vintage Art Deco Platinum Cocktail Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate vintage art deco platinum cocktail watch for your needs in our varied inventory. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Platinum, 18k Gold and Gold — can elevate any look. You can easily find a 74 antique edition and 3 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect vintage art deco platinum cocktail watch may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 20th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Finding an appealing vintage art deco platinum cocktail watch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Geneva and H & H Jewels each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also old european cut and cabochon versions for sale. Finding a vintage art deco platinum cocktail watch for sale for women should be easy, but there are 17 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Vintage Art Deco Platinum Cocktail Watch?

On average, a vintage art deco platinum cocktail watch at 1stDibs sells for $6,636, while they’re typically $550 on the low end and $61,840 for the highest priced versions of this item.

A Close Look at Art-deco Jewelry

Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.

The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.

However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)

While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.

Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.

A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.

Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other 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.