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18 Karat Rose Multi-Color Blue and Orange Sapphire 3 in 1 Brooch Ring Pendant
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Sapphires - 5.89 ct 16 Round Diamonds - 0.12 ct 7 Round Fency Diamonds - 0.36 ct 112 Green Garnet - -2.19 ct
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose ...

Classic Design 18K White Gold Scoop Necklace
Located in Teterboro, NJ
Adjustable length - 16/18" Ct wt. - .33 White Diamonds D VS2 Made in the USA.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco no heat sapphire ring.
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
lozenge shape frame centering a oval cut sapphire estimated to weigh approx. 0.39 ct. surrounded by 16
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

18K Gold 12ct No Oil Russian Emerald Ring, Crown Design Ring
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
(mm), 16 Diamond 0.67 ct 4 Sapphire 0.33 ct 6 Ruby 0.385 ct 2 Emerald 0.18 ct
Category

2010s Russian Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

de GRISOGONO Pink Gold Amethyst Earrings
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York, NY
de GRISOGONO Pink Gold Amethyst Earrings Pink Gold 32.00 Grams 16 Amethysts 23.50 Ct 230 White
Category

2010s Drop Earrings

14K Yellow Gold 3.00 Carat Shared Prong Set Round Cut Diamond Eternity Band
Located in New York, NY
round diamonds. Each diamond is approximately .16 ct. dw per stone. Diamonds have an approximate clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Bridal Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

16 Carat Star Sapphire Ring with Diamonds
Located in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
◆Solid 18kt Gold (shown in picture) ◆Stone Weight: 16 CT ◆Diamond Carat: 1.10 CT ◆Diamond Shape
Category

2010s Anglo-Indian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold

Illuminate Round Necklace 1/16 CT TW
Located in Dubai, DU
"Composition Stone type : Natural Diamond, Ethically sourced & Conflict free. | Metal : 18K White
Category

2010s Emirian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Illuminate Round Ring 1/16 CT TW
Located in Dubai, DU
"Composition Stone type : Natural Diamond, Ethically sourced & Conflict free. | Metal : 18K White
Category

2010s Emirian Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cober 1.16 Carat Mozambique Ruby with 16 x 0.01 ct. Diamonds Stud Earrings
By Vincent Cober
Located in OSS, NH
Mozambique Ruby are 16 x 0,01 ct. diamonds, adding a touch of sparkle and brilliance to the design. The
Category

2010s Dutch Contemporary Stud Earrings

Materials

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

Bague Bandeau en Or Blanc Palladié 18 ct et Diamants 1, 16 ct, Band Ring
By Valérie Danenberg
Located in PARIS, FR
Cette dentelle d’or et de diamants se pose sur la peau telle une caresse. La bague diamant Mathis, dont le décor joue avec la lumière, possède des éclats incroyables. Chaque motif cr...
Category

2010s French Medieval Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Certified 58 ct Blue Topaz Diamond Platinum and Gold Cocktail Ring circa 1940
Located in Goettingen, DE
sides by a row of eight brilliant-cut diamonds, a total of 16 diamonds weighing 0.32 ct. The blue topaz
Category

Mid-20th Century German Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

GIA Certified 5.86 ct Platinum Sapphire Ring - Perfect Blue Ceylon Sapphire
Located in Tampa, FL
approximately 0.68 ct and 16 baguette cut diamonds weighing approximately 0.99 ct. VS-1 VS-2 clarity, F-G color
Category

2010s Sri Lankan Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum

Chain Necklace Yellow Gold Diamond
Located in PARIS, FR
diamonds of about 0.02 ct each. 16 diamonds of about 0.015 ct each. and 16 diamonds of about 0.01 ct each
Category

20th Century French Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

10K Yellow Gold Diamond Moon Pendant
Located in New York, NY
", adjustable to 16" Diamond weight: .52 ct total weight Diamond color: I-J Diamond clarity: I1-I2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K Yellow Gold Ginkgo Diamond Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Pendant - DC Cable Chain length 18", adjustable to 17" and 16" - Diamond weight: 0.17 ct total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Ginkgo Diamond Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Pendant - DC Cable Chain length 18", adjustable to 17" and 16" - Diamond weight: 0.17 ct total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14K White Gold Diamond Baguette Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Pendant - DC Cable Chain length 18", adjustable to 17" and 16" - Diamond weight: 0.28 ct total weight
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14K Yellow Gold Diamond Baguette Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Pendant - DC Cable Chain length 18", adjustable to 17" and 16" - Diamond weight: 0.28 ct total weight
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Garnet, Diamond, Yellow Gold Ring
Located in Pleasant Hill, CA
) full-cut diamonds, 0.70 ct. tw., VS, H-I, prong and beads set in an 18k yellow gold squared shank
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artist Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Colombian Emerald Diamond Platinum Rare Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
.16 Ct – 22 old mine cut diamonds totalling approx 1.80 Ct (G – VVS/VS) UK size: N 1/4 US size: 6 3/4
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

EG LAB Certified White Gold Sapphire Diamond Earrings, 11.62 Carat
By HY JEWELLERY
Located in Knightsbridge, GB
: 7.16 ct [ 2 stones ] Color: Vivid blue Total small marquise cut diamond weight: 2.85 ct [ 16 diamonds
Category

2010s British Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Spectacular Art Deco 1.30 Carat Plus Diamond Engagement Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
European cut diamond of approx 1.30 Ct (J/SI - agd 7.02 mm.) - 16 rose cut diamonds totalling approx .16 Ct
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamonds 18 Carat Gold Cocktail Ring
Located in Berlin, DE
total ca. 1,10 ct. and 16 brilliant-cut diamonds with a total weight of ca. 0,66 ct. Mounted in 18
Category

Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Stone Paris 18 Karat Gold and Diamonds Diabolique Necklace
By Stone Paris
Located in Paris, FR
By Stone Paris Pendant necklace 18-kt pink gold 2.53g 16 GVS white diamonds 0.05 ct Size of the
Category

2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Magnificent old PLATINUM RING, 25 diamonds, antique, old brilliant cut
Located in SAINT-CLOUD, FR
0.9 ct approximately (6.3x5.3x4 mm). - 8 diamonds of approximately 0.1 ct each (3mm). - 16 diamonds of
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

David Yurman Diamond Gold “X” Cross Over Band Ring
By David Yurman
Located in Pleasant Hill, CA
Designed with an “X” accented by (16) full-cut diamonds, 0.30 ct. tw., VS, H-I, set in 18k white
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Artisan Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Peridot, Diamond, 14k Yellow Gold Pendant and Earring Suite
Located in Pleasant Hill, CA
) full-cut diamonds, 0.15 ct. tw., bezel and bead set in a 14k yellow and white gold mounting, with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Artisan Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Black Diamond and Jade Bead Brooch in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Geneva, Geneva
' Mounted in 18K blackened gold - 1 jade bead: approximately 16 ct - 653 round black diamonds: 10.33 ct
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Black Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold

Frederic Sage 0.76 Carat Tanzanite Diamond Engagement Bridal Cocktail Ring
By Frederic Sage
Located in New York, NY
Center Tanzanite weight: 0.76 ct Total diamond count: 16 Total diamond weight: 0.23 CT
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold

Persian Turquoise 4.0 Carat Natural Ceylon Sapphire Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Napoli, IT
-catching – 16 brilliant cut Diamonds for approx .24 Ct G VVS/VS Two main Drop of Persian Turquoise are
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Spectacular Vintage 1.55 Carat Two-Stone G VVS Diamond Engagement Twisted Ring
Located in Napoli, IT
Mounting is 18 KT white gold simple and effective, complemented by little Swiss cut Diamonds, adding .16 Ct
Category

Vintage 1950s Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Judith Ripka 18k Gold Diamond Pearl Jewelry Set Necklace Earrings Pendant Brooch
By Judith Ripka
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Removable from brooch Judith Ripka brooch/pin 18k yellow gold, 20.60 grams 16 round diamonds, 1.00 ct 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Frederic Sage 1.63 Carat Ruby and Diamond Engagement Bridal Cocktail Ring
By Frederic Sage
Located in New York, NY
Ruby weight: 1.63 ct Total diamond count: 16 Total diamond weight: 0.65 CT
Category

2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Doves 18 Karat Gold Invisible Set Baguette Diamond Earrings with White Agate
By Doves by Doron Paloma
Located in Great Neck, NY
. E9175WA-1. Stone Information: - 18 Baguette Diamonds totaling 0.62 ct. (5x7mm) - 16 Round Diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold Double Flower Ring Featuring 4.77 Carat of Pear Shaped Diamonds
By Tal Barkel
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
5.99 GR 10 PEAR DIAMONDS 4.77 CT 16 ROUND DIAMONDS 0.62 CT
Category

2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cober Jewellery “Purple unique sparkling Amethist” of 13.3 Carat YellowGold Ring
By Vincent Cober
Located in OSS, NH
the way the Amethist is revealed by mountings for the 16 Diamonds of 0.14 ct in total. These diamonds
Category

2010s Dutch Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond Stud Earrings .16 TCW
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: SU2 Size: 3 mm Weight: 0.5 dwt. / 0.8
Category

20th Century Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Alex Sepkus Shield Ring
By Alex Sepkus
Located in Dallas, TX
Designer Alex Sepkus Shield Ring in 18K Gold with .16 CT Diamonds. Classic Alex Sepkus Detail
Category

2010s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamond Wedding Band
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G-H. Diamond clarity: SI1-VS2. Ring Size: 6.5. Weight: 1.2 dwt
Category

20th Century Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings
Located in Washington Depot, CT
eight round brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold. Approximate total diamond weight: .16
Category

20th Century Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Wedding Band
Located in Washington Depot, CT
weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: H-I Diamond clarity: SI1-I1 Ring Size: 7.75 Weight: 1.0 dwt. / 1.6 gr
Category

20th Century Wedding Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold and Diamond Hoop Earrings
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: I-J Diamond clarity: I1-I2 Size: 14 mm x 3 mm Weight: 1.6 dwt
Category

20th Century Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Platinum Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: VS1 Ring Size: 7.5 Weight: 2.7 dwt
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Ruby, Platinum

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
: .16 ct. Diamond color: H-I Diamond clarity: SI1 Size: 5.25 Weight: 1.2 dwt. / 2.0 gr. Stamped
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: I Diamond clarity: SI1-I1 Size: 27 mm x 18 mm Weight: 5.9 dwt
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond Pendant
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamonds (.03 ct., .05 ct., .08 ct.) set in classic 14K white gold. Approximate total diamond weight: .16
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Sunburst Cufflinks
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Washington Depot, CT
diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: VS2 Size: 21 mm x 16 mm Weight: 10.5 dwt
Category

20th Century Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat White Gold Diamond Cross Pendant- This sparkling cross pendant features 16 round
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

14 Karat White Gold Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Washington Depot, CT
brilliant cut diamonds set in classic 14K white gold. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
: 2 mm. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: VS2 Ring
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Wedding Band
Located in Washington Depot, CT
measures 2 mm. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: VS1 Ring Size
Category

20th Century Wedding Rings

Materials

Sapphire, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Band Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: SI1 Ring Size: 6.25 Weight
Category

20th Century Italian Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: I Diamond clarity: I1 Ring Size: 7.25 Weight
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
. Shank: 2.5 mm. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: I-H Diamond clarity: SI1
Category

20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Ring
Located in Washington Depot, CT
. Approximate total diamond weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: I Diamond clarity: I1 Size: 6.5 Weight: 2.0
Category

20th Century Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

10 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Earring Jackets
Located in Washington Depot, CT
weight: .16 ct. Diamond color: G Diamond clarity: VS2 Size: 12 mm x 12 mm Weight: 0.9 dwt. / 1.5 gr
Category

20th Century Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

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16 Ct Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 16 ct diamond you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 68 vintage editions and 161 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect 16 ct diamond may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a 16 ct diamond has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by LB Exclusive, Cellini and Kabana are consistently popular. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also oval cut cut and mixed cut cut versions available here, too. Finding a 16 ct diamond for sale for women should be easy, but there are 55 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a 16 Ct Diamond?

On average, a 16 ct diamond at 1stDibs sells for $6,210, while they’re typically $274 on the low end and $1,800,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.  

Questions About 16 Ct Diamond
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023
    There is no set number of diamonds on a 16-inch tennis necklace. The number of diamonds that make up a tennis chain often depends on the size of the gemstones. Generally, the larger the diamonds are, the fewer there are on a tennis necklace. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of tennis necklaces.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The number of diamonds in a 10-carat tennis bracelet varies. A carat rating for a tennis bracelet refers to the total weight of all of the diamonds in the piece. As a result, a bracelet may have 20, 5-carat diamonds; 10, 1-carat diamonds or another number of diamonds of a different weight. You'll find a variety of diamond tennis bracelets on 1stDibs.