Diamond Necklaces
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s European Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Coral, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Go...
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Amethyst, 14k...
1940s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
1990s Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Wh...
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, W...
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1960s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Garnet, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Indian Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Pink Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Green Sapphire, 18k...
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1950s Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1970s Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, Platinum
1980s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Diamond Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1970s European Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
1940s Retro Vintage Diamond Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Shop Vintage and Antique Diamond Necklaces on 1stDibs
Whether you're pairing an elegant drop necklace with an evening gown for a fancy dinner or layering a solitaire pendant with your favorite gold or silver chains, you can count on the fact that antique diamond necklaces will elevate any ensemble.
Pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige in ancient times. Wearing jewelry has since become far more widespread, and today, personal adornment is all about expression: Luxury diamond necklaces — Cartier diamond necklaces, Harry Winston diamond necklaces and other iterations — exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship. (Diamond lockets, for example, which feature a motif that first emerged in the 1800s, are frequently shaped like a heart.)
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.
In the late 19th century, "King of Diamonds" Charles Lewis Tiffany — founder of famed luxury house Tiffany & Co. — purchased a 287-carat yellow diamond discovered in the Kimberely Mine in South Africa. The stone was the largest yellow diamond ever mined, and was fashioned by gemologist George Kunz into a cushion-cut brilliant of 128 carats. Kunz gave it a total of 90 facets: 48 on the pavilion, 40 on the crown, plus the table and culet. Breakfast at Tiffany’s fans may recognize the stone from promotional photos for the film — actress Audrey Hepburn wore it as part of the Jean Schlumberger-designed Ribbon Rosette necklace.
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. 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).
Grading aside, a beloved diamond necklace is going to deliver the perfect amount of sparkle and joy every time you put it on, whether it's an emerald and diamond necklace, a classic diamond choker or some other similar accessory.
Find antique and vintage diamond necklaces today on 1stDibs.