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Rainbow Sapphire Earrings Estate 18k Yellow Gold Drop Hoops Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
measure 1 1/2 x 1 inch. The earrings are fitted with push backings. Metal & Hallmark: 18 karat yellow
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow S...

Boucheron Paris Quilted Hoop Earrings In 18Kt Gold With 1.80 Cts In VS Diamonds
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
Jeweled hoop earrings designed by Boucheron. A nice pair crafted in Paris, France by the house of
Category

1990s French Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

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

Cartier Double Row Diamond Gold Ear Hoops
By Cartier
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
wear, the earrings measure ¾ of an inch tall and taper from 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch wide. Fitted for
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sapphire Diamond and Gold Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat yellow gold, sapphire and diamond earrings. Stamped AGC. Designed as a half hoop
Category

1990s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Gold Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
., diamond panels hinge as tops & hoops, ap. 14.4 dwts. Posts & clip-backs. With tops folded 1 x 1 1/8
Category

Vintage 1970s American Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Fancy Yellow Diamond and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat yellow gold, fancy yellow diamond and diamond earrings. Circa 1980. Designed as
Category

1990s American Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pair of Art Deco Diamond Platinum Dangle Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
black dress. Suspended from platinum hoops, the 1 5⁄8 inch drop earrings drip with timeless
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Georgian Chandelier Earrings Embellished with Antique Diamonds
By Glorious Antique Jewelry Collection
Located in Stamford, CT
faceted silver from the diamonds. Fair to say that the earrings are as unique as they are handsome. Two
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver

Black Onyx Diamond, 18k White Gold Dangle Earrings
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
approximately 1 inch in length. 82 round brilliant-cut diamonds, .29 carats total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Artisan Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

LB Exclusive 18K White Gold 5.00 ct Diamond Earrings
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
over each hoop. The earrings measure 1.65 inches in length and 0.75 inches in width with each weighing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Harry Winston Cluster Diamond Earrings
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Harry Winston (Jacque Timey) Diamond Earrings This pair of earrings has 16 marquise shaped
Category

Late 20th Century American Artist Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Blue Sapphire Diamond Large Pear Shaped Dangle Drop Earring
By Campanelli Pear
Located in Troy, MI
sapphires and sparkling white diamonds and each drop from a pave set diamond hoop. Earrings are crafted in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Golden Citrine and Diamond Earring in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Towson, MD
One pair of 18 karat yellow gold pendant design earrings, each set with one (1) 8x10mm rectangular
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gold Diamond Twisted Rope Earrings
Located in New York, NY
diamond weight approximately 2.90 carats. Length approximately 1 inch. Gross weight approximately 17.20
Category

Vintage 1950s Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Contemporary 2.21 CTW Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Navette Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
maker's mark Circa: 2000s Measures: 1 1/4 x 3/8 inches Total Weight: 5.2 grams Stock Number We-15715
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Contemporary Garnet Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Pear Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
karat gold Circa: 2000s Measures: 3/8 x 1 1/16 inches Total weight: 5.8 grams Dancing. Sanguine
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

A Pair of Rose gold, White Gold, Fancy Light Brown Diamond and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat rose and white gold, fancy light brown diamond and diamond earrings. The first
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Rose Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 18KT Chevalerie 1970s Doorknocker Earrings 5.50Ct. Diamonds
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
, backs are clip-on; each earring measures 1-7/8 x 1-1/4 inches; Signed VCA; Stamped 18K; Numbered 166 H
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Birks 1.15 CTW Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cluster Huggie Drop Earrings
By Birks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Width: 1/16 inch Cluster drop measures: 1/4 x 1/4 inch Total weight: 3.2 grams Sweet. Dainty. Daisies
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Emerald Cut Emerald Diamond Halo White Gold Dangle Post Drop Dangle Earrings
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
jewelry collection. Handcrafted in 18k white gold. Earrings measure approximately 1 inch in length 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Modern 14K White Gold Blue Topaz Briolette Natural Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
approximately 7.1 mm wide. The earrings are 1 inch in length, with upper hoops set with 18 natural diamonds and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern More Earrings

Materials

Blue Topaz, Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Schlumberger Dot Banana Diamond Earrings
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany Co.
Located in Miami, FL
the diagonal of these bombe hoop earrings, adorned with red enamel and detailed with gold diagonal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Di Modolo Italian 1.70 Carats Diamond 18 Karat Gold Tempia Floral Drop Earrings
By Di Modolo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Substantial earrings are designed with a diamond huggie hoop surmount Suspending a large circular
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Peridot, Quartz, Gold...

Vintage Bvlgari 18k Gold Hematite Diamond Clip Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Measuring 1 inch (2.54 cm) in length and 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width, these clip-on earrings weigh a
Category

Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Hematite, 18k Gold

Seaman Schepps Ebony Diamond Gold Half Link Earrings
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
with brilliant round white diamonds, an impressive 6.17 carats in total. 1 1/8 inch tall and 5/8 inch
Category

2010s American Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

GIA Radiant cut Yellow Diamond Halo Drop Earrings in 18k White Yellow Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
huggies. Earrings measure 1 inch tall and 0.43 inch across. Earrings weigh 11.1 grams. The earring
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Drop Earrings

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Marilyn Cooperman Gold Silver White Sapphire Diamond Earrings
By Marilyn Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
approximately 34.38 carats. Length approximately 1 1/8 inches. Gross weight approximately 32.70 grams. Signed
Category

2010s American Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Pair of 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat yellow gold and diamond earrings. Each earring designed as a triple front
Category

1990s American Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1980s 0.76 CTW Diamond Tahitian Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as grooved twist motif j-hoops suspending a gold disk drop Bead set throughout with round
Category

Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1980s 0.76 CTW Diamond Tahitian Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as grooved twist motif j-hoops suspending a gold disk drop Bead set throughout with round
Category

Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

A Pair of Yellow Gold, Turquoise and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
brilliant cut diamonds. Total diamond weight approximately 1.08 carats. Length approximately 1 inch
Category

1990s Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Abel and Zimmerman Yellow Gold and Diamond Clip-On Earrings
By Abel Zimmerman
Located in Dallas, TX
Clarity. Earrings measure 1 1/8 inches long and 3/4 inches wide and weigh 37 grams. Earrings are Clip On
Category

Vintage 1980s German Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pair of Yellow Gold, Coral, Black Onyx and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
circular cut diamonds. Six (6) diamonds. Length is approximately 1 inch, gross weight is approximately 26.9
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Contemporary Sapphire and Diamond Wave Earrings
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
. These earrings measure 1 inch long and taper in width from .75 to .25 inches. They are finished with a
Category

20th Century Clip-on Earrings

Materials

White Gold, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Jean Schlumberger 18KY Gold Black Enamel Diamond Banana Earrings
By Jean Schlumberger
Located in New York, NY
diamonds approx. 1.30 carats total, most F-G/VS MEASUREMENTS: 1 x 5/8 inch The earrings are in great
Category

20th Century French Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Enamel

Cartier Paris Collection Privee Earrings in Platinum with 6.16 Cts VVS Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Diamonds set earrings designed by Cartier. Extraordinary and very rare diamonds hoops created in
Category

Early 2000s French Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Cartier 5.00 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond 18 Karat Tri-Gold Trinity Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
gold With French assay mark for 18k and numbered Measures: 1 1/4 x 3/8 inches Total weight: 16.3
Category

1990s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

A Pair of 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Black Onyx and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
carats. Length approximately 1 1/8 inches. Gross weight approximately 37.00 grams.
Category

1990s Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Marina B. Milan Scalloped Earrings in 18Kt Yellow Gold with 3.26 Cts in Diamonds
By Marina B
Located in Miami, FL
Swirled hoops earrings designed by Marina B. Beautiful swirl pair created in Milano Italy by the
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modernist Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef Arpels, Paris, 18K Unusual Vintage Earrings.
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Aspen, CO
18K textured yellow gold earrings by Van Cleef & Arpels, Paris. The front of these half style hoops
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

18k Gold

Bulgari Pair of Two-Color Gold and Diamond Earclips
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
dwts. Diamonds: G-H-VS. Clip-backs. 15/16 x 1/2 to 3/8 inch.
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Marina B. Milan Gem Set Earclips in 18Kt Gold with 8.26 Cts Diamonds Sapphires
By Marina B
Located in Miami, FL
Swirled Yama hoops earrings designed by Marina B. Exceptional pair, created in Milano Italy by the
Category

2010s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire , Gold, 18k Gold...

Beautiful Diamond Gold Inside-Out Hoop Earrings
Located in Dallas, TX
earrings feature Si2 I-j color quality diamonds. Earrings measure apx. 1-1/4 inches in diameter. Total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

LALAOUNIS Greek Ruby Diamond Bracelet and Earrings Suite
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
measure 1.25 inches wide by 1 inch tall. Both the earrings and bracelet are marked "Lalaounis".
Category

20th Century Bangles

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold

14K Yellow Gold 1/4 Carat Diamond and Oval Red Ruby Alternating X Link Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
A glamorous take on a classic design, these breathtaking diamond hoops are crafted in luxurious 18k
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Link Bracelets

Materials

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

Bulgari White Gold Spiga Diamond Suite
By Bulgari
Located in Mayfair, London, London
size of 14 inches. The earrings comprise of the spiga motif in a hoop style with 1 link pave set with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Company Diamond 18 Karat Gold Etoile Bangle Bracelet
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
circumference of 7 1/2 inches. About this Item: Drape your wrist in classic luxury the moment you put on this
Category

Early 2000s Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vivid Diamonds 2.83 Carat Diamond Hoop Earrings
By Vivid Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
sensational full diamond look. These stunning earrings measure 1.3 inches in length and .1 of an inch in width
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1.5ctw Large Skinny Diamond Hoop Earrings, 10K White Gold, Length 1.75 Inch
Located in McLeansville, NC
A pair of 10 karat white gold large skinny diamond hoop earrings. These oversize thin hoops feature
Category

1990s Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Hoop Earrings 3.47 Carats
By Tamir
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
, in these classical 18K rose gold diamond hoop earrings. Diameter - 1 inch. Returns are accepted and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Bezel Hoop Diamond Earrings 1/3 Carat
Located in San Francisco, CA
This elegant hoop earring features an alternating in size round brilliant diamonds bezel set. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Rose Gold Bezel Hoop Diamond Earrings 1/6 Carat
Located in San Francisco, CA
This elegant hoop earring features an alternating in size round brilliant diamonds bezel set. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Cartier Diamond Gold Hoop Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Bethesda, MD
Vintage Cartier earrings feature 6 brillaint diamonds weighing .18. The earrings are 1/4 of an inch wide
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Diamond Platinum Hoop Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2005 Cartier Platinum and Diamond Hoop Earrings, set with round brilliant cut Diamonds
Category

Early 2000s French Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

14k White Gold .15 Carat Diamond Dangle Post Earrings 1 inch long
Located in Eagan, MN
nicely constructed. They are 1 inch long. They are made of little repeating squares and have brilliant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Wide Tube Hoop Earrings 2.3 Grams
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
14 Karat Yellow Gold tube hoop earrings weighing 2.3 grams, 1 inch.
Category

2010s Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Set Gold Hoop Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
, sophisticated silhouettes. Set with 1.0 carats of brilliant diamonds (I color, SI1-2 clarity), these earrings
Category

Early 2000s American Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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1 Inch Diamond Hoop Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a broad range of 1 inch diamond hoop earrings for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from 14k Gold, Gold and 18k Gold — can elevate any look. Pieces in our collection of 1 inch diamond hoop earrings made by Modern jewelers — as well as those associated with Contemporary — are very popular. Emilio!, OGI Ltd and Alberto each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. A selection of round cut and oval cut can be found today on these pages. Most of our 1 inch diamond hoop earrings for sale are for women, but there are 3 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much are 1 Inch Diamond Hoop Earrings?

Prices for 1 inch diamond hoop earrings start at $360 and top out at $21,400 with these earrings, on average, selling for $4,199.

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.  

Finding the Right Hoop-earrings for You

It is almost impossible to overstate how popular hoop earrings are today. They are routinely seen adorning the ears of high-profile women, ranging from Michelle Obama and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B.

The roots of the hoop-earring phenomenon literally stretch back to the dawn of civilization. On view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to 2,600–2,500 B.C. that experts agree is among the oldest known examples. Hoop earrings can also be found in the Met’s Egyptian art gallery as well as in the museum’s displays of Greek and Roman art.

What inspired the original hoop design and why it was adopted by so many jewelers in the ancient world are unknown. It doesn’t have an origin story, feeling rather like the jewelry equivalent of the wheel. There just seems to be a logic to a circle that goes from the front to the back of the lobe.

“Hoops have been worn for millennia because they are unfathomably chic,” says Annabel Davidson, the editor of Vanity Fair UK’s special jewelry edition. “The way they accentuate the jawline, elongate the face and add a touch of flamboyance to a look is clearly a timeless expression of confidence, femininity and sartorial savvy.”

Throughout the ages, there have been countless decorative variations of hoop earrings. While the style can be found in just about every era, it was far more popular in some periods than others. Certain looks from yesteryear reflect cultural interests, while others are purely glamourous.

On 1stDibs, shop vintage diamond hoop earrings, gold hoop earrings, contemporary hoops and many more varieties of this wildly popular accessory.