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4 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings

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Sapphire and Diamond 18 Karat Gold Earrings
Located in San Francisco, CA
approximately 2.00 carats. The earring weigh 9.5 grams, and measure 1 3/4 inches long. Wear them casual, or
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Maria Tash Diamond Web Threaded Stud Earring
Located in London, GB
(Excellent) Weight: 0.5 grams Diamonds: Approx. 0.10 carats Fastening: Threaded Stud (for pierced ears) Post
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Victorian 18K Enamel and Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Hummelstown, PA
fabricated in 18K yellow gold, 2.62 carats of shimmering old mine-cut diamond petals are interspersed by
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Gubelin Multi-Color Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
By Gubelin
Located in San Francisco, CA
, both oval and round-cut, set between with 4 bezel-set round brilliant-cut diamonds. With a total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Fancy Color Diamond Flower 18K Gold Earrings
Located in Geneva, CH
Fancy Color Diamond Flower 18K Gold Earrings. Natural 148 pieces, 14.23 carats VS-F. Natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Stunning Diamond-Set White Gold Chandelier Earrings
By Simon G Jewelry
Located in Litchfield, CT
chandelier earrings are set with 2.98 carats of superb white diamonds. Simon G. occasionally makes haute
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Contemporary Ruby Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Contemporary Ruby And Diamond Earrings If you are looking for a pair of earrings with really nice
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Pair of Antique Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair antique 15 karat yellow gold, silver topped, sapphire and diamond earrings. Circa 1910. Each
Category

Vintage 1910s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Turquoise and Diamond Earrings by Tiffany Co.
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
& Co. earrings. The turquoise stones, totaling 23.77 carats and displaying Tiffany's signature blue hue
Category

20th Century American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Platinum

Maria Canale Diamond 18k Gold Flapper Earrings
By Maria Canale
Located in San Francisco, CA
of 1.25 carats, the earrings move with you! They weigh 11.4 grams, and measure 2 3/4 inches in length
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Long Victorian Star Diamond Gold Silver Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
old cut diamonds that are G-H color, VS-SI clarity. Hand crafted in silver and gold. 4-1/2 inches
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Long Victorian Star Diamond Gold Silver Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
old cut diamonds that are G-H color, VS-SI clarity. Hand crafted in silver and gold. 4-1/2 inches
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Demantoid Garnet and Diamond Set Gold Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
carats total weight of I color, SI1 clarity diamonds HALLMARKS: none, tested 18k STOCK NUMBER: 20990
Category

Vintage 1950s Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Maria Tash Diamond Lightning Bolt Threaded Stud Earring
Located in London, GB
diamonds. Condition: Used (Excellent) Weight: 0.4 grams Diamonds: Approx. 0.05 carats Fastening
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Mid Century Boucheron Diamond Platinum Ear Clip Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Pair of Mid Century Boucheron Diamond Platinum Ear Clip Earrings. Featuring 20 round brilliant
Category

Vintage 1950s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Graff 18k White Gold Classic Diamond Butterfly Earrings
By Graff London
Located in New York, NY
Diamonds are impeccably matched by Graff's master craftsmen in these Drop Butterfly Earrings in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Huge Carved Emerald and Diamond-set Gold Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
: 30.0 carat and 35.0 carat carved emeralds and 1.0 carats total weight of I color, SI1 clarity diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Faye Kim Platinum Micro-Pave Diamond Chiclet Earrings
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
flawlessly. Diamonds = 1.24 carats twt LxW: .4" x .4"
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

18 Karat Yellow Gold Aquamarine Diamond Earrings
Located in Lexington, KY
that contrasts the blue stones nicely. The aquamarines weigh 10 carats total weight; the diamonds weigh
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Large Golden South Sea Pearl Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
, AAA grade. These convertible drop earrings are a masterpiece of design. The top teardrop is composed
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Oceanic Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Nam Cho Bullseye Kyanite Sapphire Diamond Gold Earrings
Located in London, GB
wire hooks. The earrings reinterpret the classic ‘target’ design with approximately 4 carats of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Diamond and South Sea Pearl Day Night Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
shape and Marquis Shape Diamonds total 3.25 Carats and Grade as G-H in Color and VS to SI in Clarity
Category

2010s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Nam Cho Bullseye Kyanite Sapphire Diamond Gold Earrings
Located in London, GB
wire hooks. The earrings reinterpret the classic ‘target’ design with approximately 4 carats of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold

Mabe Pearl Diamond Halo Earrings 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Montgomery, AL
Diamond Weight: 1 Carat Item: 768TMV8-AFA
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Natural GIA Conch and White Pearl Earrings Platinum Diamond
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
mm. The diamonds are G-H color, VS clarity and total weight approximately 0.90 carat. The earrings
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum

Vintage Mikimoto Interchangeable Diamond Earrings in Yellow Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in London, England
composed of a pair of hoop earrings. Each earring is set with 4 round brilliant-cut diamonds. Uniquely, the
Category

1990s Japanese Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Y...

Gold and Rose Cut Diamond, Day and Night, Earrings
Located in Amsterdam, NL
carat), from which are suspended removable drop-shaped rose-cut diamonds (app. 4 carat each), 19th
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Art Nouveau Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold

Modern Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Heart Shape Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
-shaped motif set with 4 modern brilliant-cut diamonds. Total weight of diamonds : 0.72 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Pair of Gold, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot and Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
omega backs. Each earring suspends a 30x25mm cabochon pink tourmaline drop from a diamond pave half
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pair of White Gold, Ruby and Diamond Dangling Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat white gold, ruby and diamond dangling earrings. Each earring suspends an oblong
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Mid-Century 9.30 CTW Aquamarine Diamond Platinum Vintage Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring pear cut aquamarine earrings weighing approximately 9.26 carats total Transparent light
Category

Vintage 1950s Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, White Diamond, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
1984. The detachable drop earrings are set with a total of (56) fifty six round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s French Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Pendant Earrings by Marina B.
Located in San Francisco, CA
total diamond weight of 0.74 carats. The earrings weigh 6.0 grams and measure 2 1/4 inches long. These
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

David Webb Pearl Diamond Platinum Day and Night Earrings
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
with approximately 12 carats of round and baguette cut diamonds which are E-F in color VS+ in clarity
Category

Vintage 1970s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

Cartier France 1.80 CTW Diamond 18 Karat Gold Maillon Panthere J Hoop Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as stylized panther link motif J-Hoops bead set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Spinel Earrings Set in 18 Karat Gold with Diamonds
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
carats and diamond weight is .76 carts. The earring dimension in cm 2.4 x .4 x .4 (LXWXH).
Category

2010s Indian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, Gold

Edwardian Style Diamond 18K White Yellow Gold Wire Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Center Stone: 24 Diamonds Cut: Old European and Single Cut Weight: Approximately 1.7 Carats Color
Category

Vintage 1920s Edwardian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Gubelin Multi-Color Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
By Gubelin
Located in San Francisco, CA
These 18k white gold drop earrings are colorful and beautifully made by Gubelin. Designed with 6
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Rainbow Multi Color Sapphire Diamond 14k White Gold Earrings
By Belrose Estate Jewelers
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
: Multi Clarity: Transparent Diamonds:48 Carat Weight: 0.32 total Cut: Round Brilliant Color: G-H
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Vintage 3ct Diamond Earrings 1950s Midcentury Platinum Scrolled Clips Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of Mid Century diamond earrings (circa 1950s), crafted in 900 platinum. Mixed cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

AGL Certified Pair of Platinum, Ruby and Diamond Pendant-Earrings
Located in New York, NY
line of 6 round and 4 marquise-shaped diamonds, suspending 2 oval rubies approximately 3.35 carats
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Vintage Art Deco Aquamarine Diamond Earrings Platinum 1.75" Drops Bridal
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of vintage Art Deco era aquamarine & diamond earrings (circa 1920s to 1930s) crafted
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

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

Antique Russian Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
weight of 24 diamonds (both earrings) - 3 carats. Approximate total weight of two aquamarines - 4
Category

Russian Drop Earrings

Certified Pear Shape Emerald Diamond Earrings in 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
clarity enhancement. The earrings are also embellished with 4 pear-shaped diamonds with 1.40 carat total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Church Company Retro Diamond 14 Karat Gold Pansy Flower Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
prong set round brilliant cut diamond weighing in total approximately 0.10 carat; eye-clean and white
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Bulgari Diamond Amethyst Ceramic 18 Karat Rose Gold Mediterranean Earrings
By Bulgari
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring round brilliant cut diamond surmounts weighing approximately 0.60 carats total - eye
Category

Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Natural Pink Cushion Cut Sapphire Diamond Earrings
By Steven Fox Jewelry
Located in Greenwich, CT
sapphire and diamond earrings designed by Steven Fox. Showcased in a handmade platinum mounting, these
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique platinum earrings with diamonds 1.85ct, France, early 20th century.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Antique earrings studded with old brilliant-cut diamonds. Made of 18 carat white gold, which
Category

Vintage 1930s French Belle Époque Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum

Natural Emerald Cut and Diamond Earring Set in 18 Karat Gold
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A beautiful and modern natural emerald earrings set in 18k white gold with natural diamonds. The
Category

2010s Indian Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Contemporary 1.45 CTW Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Butterfly Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as stylized butterflies with curling antennae Pavé and bezel set with diamonds on wings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold

Cultured Pearl Diamond Ribbon Earrings Drops Vintage 18k White Gold Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of cultured pearl & diamond earrings crafted in 18k white gold. Two 9mm cultured
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Vintage Tiffany Co. Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Earrings 1980 s
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
carats total approximately, each surrounded by 8 round brilliant cut diamonds set in shared prongs
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Retro Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lawrence Jeffrey Deco Inspired Jade and Diamond set Platinum Earrings
By Lawrence Jeffrey
Located in Litchfield, CT
verve, underscored by flirty movement. 3.0 carats of fine white diamonds decorate the 100-year-old
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Jade, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels 18KT Chevalerie 1970s Doorknocker Earrings 5.50Ct. Diamonds
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
knocker motif circa 1970, set with round-cut diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 5.55 carats
Category

Vintage 1970s French Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

A Fabulous Pair of Baroque Pearl Diamond Gold Doorknocker Style Earrings
Located in New York, NY
weight of twelve (12) diamonds is approximately .96 carat. The earrings measure 2 3/8 inches long and 1
Category

Vintage 1970s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vhernier Pink Quartz Diamond Gold Balloon Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
quartz shaped to resemble a balloon tied to a string of gold, the knot set with small round diamonds
Category

20th Century Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

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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.