Diamond Jewelry
2010s Italian Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Italian Retro Diamond Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1980s Spanish Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Coral, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
1940s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1940s French Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Garnet, Diamond, Coral, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s French Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, Coral, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
20th Century Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, Silver
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, Kyanite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1960s English Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1940s French Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
1950s Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1960s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Tanzanite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1990s American Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
1960s Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
1940s French Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, Rose Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, White Gold, Platinum, Gol...
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1950s Unknown Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1960s French Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Retro Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Retro Vintage Diamond Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, White Gold
Shop Antique and Vintage Diamond Rings, Diamond Necklaces and Other Diamond Jewelry and Watches on 1stDibs
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 rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.