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4 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings

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Art Deco Style Diamond Drop Earrings Old Mine Cut 2.81 Carat Lever Backs
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A pair of Art Deco style diamond drop earrings that will leave you speechless. Flaunting a set of 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Old Mine Cut Diamonds Drop Dangling Earrings
Located in London, GB
These drops earrings were made during the Art Deco era. They are set with 4 old mine cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Boulder Opal Diamond Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
diamonds totaling approximately 0.04 carat. METAL: 14-karat yellow gold. WEIGHT: 4 grams. EARRING
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

TIFFANY Co. Peridot Diamond Gold Detachable Drop Earrings
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
TIFFANY & Co. Handmade Large Peridot and Diamond 18 karat yellow Gold Detachable Drop Earrings
Category

American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold

NIGHTLIFE by HARRY WINSTON Platinum Diamond Drop Earrings
By Harry Winston
Located in New York City, NY
Brilliant platinum and diamond drop earrings, from the "Nightlife" collection by Harry Winston
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Carved Orange Jade Onyx Diamond Platinum Drop Earrings
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Elegant earrings made of carved orange jade that is accented with a frame and intricate drop of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Onyx, Platinum

Pear Shaped Emerald and Diamond Drop Earrings by Lauren K
Located in Greenwich, CT
Diamond Earrings measures approximately 2 inches long and the 4 pear shaped Emeralds weighs 20.77 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Pear Shaped Emerald Diamond White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pear shaped Emerald Diamond White Gold Drop Earrings Emerald and diamond pendent estate earrings
Category

1990s Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Silver, Gold Diamond Two-Stone Drop Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Description: Victorian era Old Cut diamond 2-Stone drop earrings composed of 14 karat yellow gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Pearl and Sapphire Drop Earrings
Located in New Orleans, LA
sapphires and a string of sparkling white diamonds totaling 0.34 carat in their 14K white gold settings. 1
Category

20th Century American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, White Gold

1.25CTW Diamond Drop Earrings Made in White Gold
Located in Webster, NY
cut diamonds. Diamond Carat Weight: 1.25CTW Diamond Cut: Pear, Emerald, Straight Baguette, and Round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

22.32ct Oval Amethyst with Diamonds Drop Earrings 18k White Gold
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Sensational amethyst and diamond drop earrings. Created by Alexander Beverly Hills. 4 oval amethyst
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Axel Russmeyer Diamond Platinum Woven Jeweled Drop Earrings
By Axel Russmeyer
Located in Greenwich, CT
bezel set in platinum. Total diamond weight .16 carats. Made in Hamburg, Germany. Total height 1 1/4
Category

2010s German Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

18.14 Carat Aquamarine Diamond Earrings
Located in Napoli, NA
METAL: 18k white Gold STONE: Aquamarine 18.14 total carats - Diamond 0.70 total carats MEASURES
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

10KT White Gold 2.65ctw Tanzanite Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in McLeansville, NC
A pair of 10 karat white gold tanzanite and diamond drop earrings. These everyday earrings feature
Category

Early 2000s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Modern Pearl Diamond 18K White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: 2 Tahitian Pearls Weight: 12mm Color: Grey Accent Stone: 4 Diamonds Cut: Round
Category

20th Century Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Carnelian Intaglio Gold Silver Drop Earrings
Located in Greenwich, CT
diamonds. Hanging seductively from a 18 karat rose gold shepherd's hook wire, these eye-catching earrings
Category

2010s American Classical Greek Drop Earrings

Materials

Carnelian, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Pair of Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Nantucket, MA
pierced ears. 1.10 carats of diamonds, 24.50 carats of lapis. Lapis stone dimensions are 7/16 inches
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Long Art Deco Black Onyx Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A ravishing, original pair of Art Deco earrings debuting sleek black onyx cabochon drops wrapped in
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Gold Drop Earrings, 1930s
Located in Napoli, NA
Sapphire and colorless round Diamonds weighing approximately 1.00 carat. Circa 1930 CONDITION: Pre-owned
Category

Mid-20th Century Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond Coral Platinum 14 Karat Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Each earring centers a transitional cut diamond, bezel set in platinum, weighing in total 0.66
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

"Double Scoop" Drop Earrings with Sapphires White Diamonds in White Gold
By Eytan Brandes
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
: Earrings: 2.2 grams Sapphires: 1.30 carats Diamonds: 0.30 carats Stones: 1.60 carats 14 karat gold
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

1930 s Art Deco Amethyst Diamond Platinum Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earring surmounts are designed as hand fabricated navette forms. Kite set with French cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Colombian Raw Emerald Diamond Drop Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Suwanee, GA
Colombian Raw Emerald Diamond Drop Earrings in 18K Yellow Gold. Free Domestic USPS First Class
Category

2010s American Arts and Crafts Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Enigma 1.15 tcw Diamond 18k White Gold Drop Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Towson, MD
earrings are set with two hundred round brilliant diamonds weighing approximately 1.15 total carats, with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Old Mine Cushion Cut Diamond Drop Gold Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Victorian old mine cushion-cut diamond drop gold earrings circa 1890. Featuring a pair of old mine
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Asymmetrical Mexican Fire Opal Diamond Drop Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Suwanee, GA
Asymmetrical Mexican Fire Opal Diamond Drop Earrings 18K Yellow Gold. Free Domestic USPS First
Category

2010s American Artist Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Style Diamond 18K Rose White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: 4 Old European and Round Brilliant Diamonds Weight: Approximately 1.2 Carats Color: H
Category

20th Century Edwardian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

David Webb Pink Tourmaline, Platinum and Diamond Drop Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
(28) twenty eight round brilliant diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 1.40 carats, are
Category

Vintage 1970s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Contemporary 2.90 CTW Sapphire Diamond Platinum Halo Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
With an old European cut diamond bezel set as surmount Weighing approximately 0.48 carat total G/H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Flower Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
throughout by old European cut diamonds Weighing in total approximately 0.50 carat - H to J color with SI
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond Silver 14k Rose Gold Cluster Drop Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Late Victorian Sapphire Diamond Silver 14k Rose Gold Cluster Drop Earrings. Featuring
Category

Antique 1890s Late Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

100 Anniversary of Suffragette Movement Garnet, Tsavorite, Diamond Drop Earrings
By Leon Mege
Located in New York, NY
0.28 carats of F/VS diamonds (4 stones) The earrings are approx. 30 mm ( 1 1/4") in length Lighter
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tsavorite, Platinum

Mixed cut Diamond Dangle Drop Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Mixed Cut Diamond Drop Earrings in 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Drop Earrings features Round Brilliant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Contemporary Jade Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as clustered floral motif diamond surmounts suspending jade and diamond drops Diamonds are
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Graff 18k White Gold Classic Diamond Butterfly Drop Earrings 2.63Cttw
By Graff
Located in New York, NY
In these 18K white gold drop butterfly earrings, diamonds are impeccably matched by Graff's master
Category

2010s American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Diamond Round Baguette Cluster Drop Lever Back Yellow Gold Earrings
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
-to" earrings! Two diamond baguettes are set side by side, encircled by a beautiful halo of round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Pear Emerald and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Pear Emerald and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18k White Gold Diamond and Emerald Drop Earrings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

French 1900s Antique Cultured Pearl Diamonds Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
Earrings in 18 carats yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Antique lever- back earrings, each is set
Category

Early 20th Century French Belle Époque Drop Earrings

Materials

Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fanciful London Blue Topaz Diamond 18 Karat Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earrings designed as a quatrefoil cluster surmount that suspends an ornately scalloped drop
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Opal Diamond Vintage Drop Earrings 14 Karat Yellow Gold Earclips
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Opal diamond drop earrings crafted in 14 karat yellow gold. The earrings feature 4 colorful opal
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

1970s Diamond Double Strand 18 Karat Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Boca Raton, FL
These beautiful drop earrings circa 1970's feature diamond tops and double strand textured yellow
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. 0.34 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings
Located in London, GB
. Each stud plays host to a 0.17 carat round brilliant cut diamond set in a 4 claw mount. The earrings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

4.85ct Round Diamond and Pear Blue Sapphire Drop Dangling White Gold Earrings
Located in New York, NY
sexy pair of Gorgeous Diamond and Sapphire Drop Dangling Earrings. Fantastic givet to yourself or to
Category

Early 2000s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Estate 4.70cts Diamond 18K White Gold Oval Dangle Drop Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
Elegance and movement on these Dangle Drop Earrings! These 1990's pieces are centered by 4 Trillion
Category

1990s American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Contemporary Pave Diamond, Heart, Star Moon White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Towson, MD
, the diamonds lend a soft, elegant shimmer to the sculptural design. Each earring measures 3/4 inch
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Snowflake Dangle Drop Earrings 14 Karat White Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
A stunning pair of Diamond Snowflake Dangle Drop Earrings of incredible beauty. The earrings are a
Category

20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

“PFM” 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Platinum Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: PFM Material: platinum and 18k yellow gold Diamonds: 12 round brilliant cuts = 0.15 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

3.69 Carat Diamond White Gold Flower Earrings
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Style: 14k White Gold 3.69ctw Diamond Flower Earrings Material: 14k White Gold Diamond Details
Category

2010s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Contemporary 2.21 CTW Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Navette Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing approximately 2.21 carats total - G/H color with VS2 clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Diamond Silver 18k Gold Drop Stud Earrings, Antique, 1900s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning antique earrings featuring Old European cut diamonds set in silver topped 18 karat yellow
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ivanka Trump .10ctw Diamond Bow Drop Earrings, 18K Rose Gold
Located in McLeansville, NC
A pair of 18 karat rose gold diamond bow drop earrings by Ivanka Trump. These everyday earrings
Category

Early 2000s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Fascinating Fancy Colored Diamond Drop Earrings w/2.62 ct - IGI Certified
Located in רמת גן, IL
Fascinating Fancy Colored Diamond Drop Earrings w/2.62 ct - IGI Certified These captivating
Category

2010s Israeli Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Sophisticated 3.32ct Diamonds Drop Earrings in 18k White Gold - IGI Certified
Located in רמת גן, IL
Sophisticated 3.32ct Diamonds Drop Earrings in 18k White Gold - IGI Certified Experience
Category

2010s Israeli Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Charming 1.35ct Diamonds Drop Earrings in 18k White Gold - IGI Certified
Located in רמת גן, IL
. The earrings are adorned with 4 round-cut diamonds, totaling 0.22-carat. Accentuating the central
Category

2010s Israeli Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

8.90 CTW Aquamarine Diamond 18K Gold Vintage Briolette Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as diamond-shaped surmounts suspending briolette cut aquamarine drops Weighing
Category

1990s Drop Earrings

Materials

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

1960 s Vintage Coral Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Articulated earrings feature 12.0 mm round coral cabochons as surmount and drop Opaque with
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

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4 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of 4 carat diamond drop earrings. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Find a collection of 904 vintage versions or 2638 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 18th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of 4 carat diamond drop earrings to choose from, but Contemporary and Modern 4 carat diamond drop earrings are of considerable interest. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Harbor Diamonds, Meghna Jewels and Luigi Ferrara are consistently popular. There are many round cut, pear cut and oval cut 4 carat diamond drop earrings for sale. If you’re browsing the variety of 4 carat diamond drop earrings for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men.

How Much are 4 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings?

On average, 4 carat diamond drop earrings at 1stDibs sell for $5,957, while they’re typically $150 on the low end and $56,490,512 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.  

Finding the Right Earrings for You

In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.

Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and 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 between 2600 and 2500 B.C.

Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.

While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.