Diamond Necklaces
16th Century Italian Renaissance Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s European Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Natural Pearl, South Sea Pea...
Early 2000s Unknown Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Moonstone, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
16th Century German Renaissance Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Tsavorite, Black Pearl, Natural Pearl, So...
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl...
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1850s British Victorian Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold, Yell...
2010s American Modern Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Diamond Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Whi...
Late 20th Century Italian Diamond Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 20th Century British Art Deco Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
20th Century American Modern Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
20th Century American Modern Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Diamond Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1700s Renaissance Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Alexandrite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1880s Renaissance Antique Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sa...
Late 20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, ...
20th Century Unknown Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Fres...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Renaissance Diamond Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl...
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.