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5 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings

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Edwardian Style Diamond 18K Rose White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Edwardian Size: 5/8 inches in length Gram weight: 2.36 These elegant Edwardian-inspired drop earrings
Category

20th Century Edwardian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Diamond and Coral Gold Teardrop Drop Earrings
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
, the earrings are embellished with sublime corals and 0.06 carats of diamonds. Dimension: 1.5" x .5"
Category

Late 20th Century American Drop Earrings

Materials

Coral, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Fancy Yellow and White Diamond Earrings, 6.55 Carats
Located in New Orleans, LA
Two natural fancy yellow diamonds totaling 3.62 carats are set in these dazzling earrings. The gems
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

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

5-7mm Akoya Pearls Diamond 14k White Gold Clip Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A sophisticated pair of drop earrings featuring clusters of lustrous pearls and sparkling diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White 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

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

Heliodor Golden Beryl Diamond 18 Karat Gold Foliate Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earrings are designed with stylized foliate surmounts accented by diamonds and milgrain Suspending
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

3.30 Carat Pear Shaped Diamond Gold Earrings
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
about 5/8 of an inch long and set with a pair of pear (Ha; I love that!) diamonds that weigh 3.30 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold

Graff Pink Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
By Graff
Located in New York City, NY
Fine pair of pink sapphire and diamond drop earrings by Graff, set in 18k white gold. Sapphire are
Category

2010s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Round Brilliant Ideal Cut Diamond Platinum Bezel Set Drop Earrings
By Steven Fox Jewelry
Located in Greenwich, CT
ideal cut diamond drop earrings fit those descriptions perfectly. Destined to be an heirloom, the
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

Sonia B Diamond Waterfall Drop Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold
By Sonia B
Located in La Jolla, CA
Sonia B Diamond Waterfall Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Drop Earrings features 5 Rows of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Rose Cut Pear Diamond Platinum 14K Gold Antique Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as drop earrings featuring rose cut pear-shaped diamonds Weighing approximately 1.30
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Drop Earrings

Materials

Pink Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum

Graff Pink Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
By Graff
Located in New York City, NY
Fine pair of pink sapphire and diamond drop earrings by Graff, set in 18k white gold. Sapphires
Category

2010s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Contemporary Style Diamond Drop Earrings Set in 14k White Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful pair of diamond drop earrings set in 14k white gold. Each earring is composed of
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Diamond 18 Karat White Gold French Diadea Drop Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
round brilliant cut diamonds weighing in total approximately 1.06 carats; F/G color with VS clarity
Category

Early 2000s French Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

4.11 Cut-Cornered Square Step Cut Diamond Platinum Drop Earrings
By Steven Fox Jewelry
Located in Greenwich, CT
With modern and graphic lines, these 4.11 carat cut-cornered square step cut diamond platinum
Category

2010s North American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

South Sea 16.5 mm Pearl Diamond White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
South Sea 16.5 mm cultured pearl diamond and white gold drop earrings circa 1990. Jacob's Diamond
Category

1990s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold

1930s Cultured Pearls Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
. Total weight of the diamonds : 0.22 carat approximately. Diameter of the pearls : 10.5/11 mm
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Otto Jacob Burmese Ruby Yellow Diamond Gold Enamel Drop Earrings
Located in Greenwich, CT
diamond, gold, and enamel floral earrings will eternally be in bloom. These extraordinary enameled
Category

Early 2000s German Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Ruby, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 14K Gold Diamond Drop Earrings, Circa 1890 s
Located in New Orleans, LA
A simple and elegant pair of diamond drop earrings featuring two old European cut and two rose cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Drop Earrings

Victorian 1.10 Total Carat Diamond Flower Earrings
Located in Narberth, PA
A stunning pair of diamond flower earrings from the Victorian (ca1880s) era! Crafted in 14kt yellow
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

10 Carat Antique Cut Cushion Diamond Earrings in Platinum, GIA
Located in New York, NY
Unusually Large White and Beautiful Antique-Cut Cushion Diamond Earrings in Platinum. Each diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Platinum 14 Karat Gold Carriage Coach Cover Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drop earrings are encased in domed ball carriage covers Decorated with raised scrollwork
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Contemporary 9.10 CTW Topaz Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as drop style earrings suspending marquise cut topaz Weighing approximately 8.22 carats
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Diamond Pearl 14 Karat White Gold Fleur-De-Lis Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earrings are designed as fleur-de-lis motif surmounts suspending 8.0 x 10.0 mm pearl drops White
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Diamond and Pearl Garland Drop Dangle Earrings in 18k White Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful pair of diamond and pearl garland drop earrings set in 18k white gold. Each earring
Category

2010s British Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

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

A Pair of Platinum Set Diamond and Gold "Starburst" Drop Earrings.
Located in New York, NY
6.00 carats. The earrings have a gross weight of approximately 30.5 grams and measure 2 5/8 inches
Category

Vintage 1960s American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

White Gold Diamond Drop Earrings, 14k Round Brilliant 4.24ct Pierced Leverbacks
Located in Greensboro, NC
) Top Width: 3/32" (1.7mm) Bottom Width: 5/16" (7.9mm) Style: Drop Fastening Type: Leverback
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Freshwater Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings Estate 18 Karat Gold Vintage Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
carats of diamonds (estimated at I color and I1 clarity). Size & Measurements: The earrings measure 1.25
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Emilio Jewelry 17.06 Carat Vivid Green Pear Shape Emerald Diamond Earrings
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
colorless smaller diamonds finishing the piece. All Set in Platinum. Approx earring total weight: 17.06ct
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Antique Solitaire 1 Carat Diamond Blue Enamel Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890 Antique Victorian era gold earrings feature two sparkling old cushion cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond

Laura Munder Tourmaline Peridot Citrine Diamond 18 Karat Gold Drop Earrings
By Laura Munder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
swag of bezel set round brilliant cut diamonds weighing in total approximately 0.50 carat; G/H color
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Ye...

Fire Opal Drop Earrings 18K
Located in North Hollywood, CA
perfect match. These earrings weigh 7.0 grams 4 opals at 5 Carats per earring plus .10 point Diamonds to
Category

2010s Artisan Drop Earrings

Materials

Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold

Contemporary 15.00 CTW Citrine Sapphire Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sapphires weigh approximately 3.05 carats total - transparent medium orange to yellow Diamonds are round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond Guilloche Enamel 14 Karat Gold Antique Star Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
cut diamond surmounts - bezel set Weighing approximately 0.20 carat total - eye clean and bright
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Drop Earrings Set in 18 Karat White Gold
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
is 6.384 carats. The earrings dimensions in cm 4.5 x 1.2 x .5 (LXWXD).
Category

2010s Indian Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold

Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Drop Earrings Set in 18 Karat White Gold
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
is 6.384 carats. The earrings dimensions in cm 4.5 x 1.2 x .5 (LXWXD).
Category

2010s Indian Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold

Di Modolo Vintage Diamond Pearl 18 Karat White Gold Triadra Drop Earrings
By Dimodolo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earrings are designed as round surmounts with round brilliant cut diamonds pavè set throughout
Category

1990s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Le Vian 2 Carat Blue Diamond White Gold Earrings
By Le Vian
Located in Great Neck, NY
Chocolate Diamonds (1-1/5 ct t.w.) and Vanilla Diamonds (1/4 ct t.w.) in these 18k white gold Le Vian Exotic
Category

2010s Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Aaron Basha Diamond Pink Enamel 18 Karat Two-Tone Ladybug Drop Earrings
By Aaron Basha
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Earrings have a flower surmount set with round brilliant cut diamonds. Weighing in total
Category

Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Contemporary 5.74 CTW Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Floral Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
approximately 4.92 carats total. Well saturated transparent light to medium blue in color. Centering a bezel set
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

2.56 Carat Blue Zircon with 0.08 Carat Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Earrings
By Sarosi By Timeless Gems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These petite drop earrings add subtle elegance to any look! Dress them up or down, these earrings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Drop Earrings

Materials

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

1980 s Diamond South Sea Pearl 18K Gold Vintage Fanning Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Surmount and foliate cup are bead set with round brilliant cut diamonds Weighing approximately 2.00 carats
Category

Vintage 1980s Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Vintage 1960s 12.00 Carat Diamond Detachable Door Knocker Earrings
Located in New York, NY
of 12.00 carats. Circa 1960s Made in France 5/8 inch + 1 1/8 inch detachable knockers
Category

Vintage 1960s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian No Heat Burma Pink Sapphire Diamond Pearl 14K Gold Drop Earrings GIA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as drop earrings comprised of diamond surmounts suspending sapphire and pearl drops
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

15.97 Ct. Coral with Diamond and Onyx Drop Earrings in 14K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Shape: Mix Size: 2.5 – 5 mm. Number: 6 Weight: 1.15 Carat (approx. in total) These earrings are ready
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold

Mid-Century 1.98 CTW Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Vintage Heart Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
additional single cut diamonds Weighing approximately 1.48 carats total H to J color with VS2 to SI2 clarity
Category

Vintage 1950s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Mid-Century Jelly Opal Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Vintage Halo Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
play-of-color Prong set with halo surround of transitional cut diamonds Additional diamonds are prong
Category

Vintage 1950s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, White Gold

H. Stern Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fringe Fluid Gold Bead Drop Earrings
By H. Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
rows Featuring princess cut diamonds bezel set at surmounts Weighing approximately 0.08 carat total G
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 40 Carat Diamond Necklace and Earring Set, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
earrings within the set, holds another stunning old cut diamond, weighing 2.20 carat. Jewellery belonging
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

18 Karat Gold Natural Emerald 25+ Carat Earring with Diamond
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A pair of gorgeous earrings set in 18k white gold with natural emerald weighing 25.42 carats and
Category

2010s Hong Kong Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold

Victorian French 0.50 CTW Old Mine Diamond 18 Karat Gold Antique Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as pierced domed form drops centering old mine cut diamonds J color with VS2 clarity
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Le Vian 5.875 Carat Chocolate and White Diamond White Gold Earrings
By Le Vian
Located in Great Neck, NY
Nearly 5-carats of dazzling pear shaped Chocolate Diamonds cascade along a strand of Vanilla
Category

Early 2000s Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 1.02 CTW Ruby Diamond 14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Antique Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
approximately 0.78 carat total - transparent red Alternating with single cut diamonds bead set throughout
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Russian 19th Century 4.10 Carat Tw Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in Moscow in the 1880s Antique 14K gold cluster earrings are set with sparkling bright white
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond

Aaron Basha Diamond Orange Enamel 18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Ladybug Drop Earrings
By Aaron Basha
Located in Philadelphia, PA
bead set with round brilliant cut diamonds as petals and centers Weighing in approximately 0.12 carat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

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

French Edwardian 1.45 Carats Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Floral Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Drop earrings are designed as floral clusters comprised of rose cut diamonds Weighing in total
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

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5 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs

Find an expansive variety of 5 carat diamond drop earrings available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 851 vintage editions and 2549 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 18th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Our collection of 5 carat diamond drop earrings includes designs that are universally popular, but Contemporary and Modern styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by Harbor Diamonds, Meghna Jewels and Luigi Ferrara are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A selection of round cut, pear cut and oval cut can be found today on these pages. Most of our 5 carat diamond drop earrings for sale are for women, but there are 689 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much are 5 Carat Diamond Drop Earrings?

Prices for 5 carat diamond drop earrings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $203 and can go as high as $2,895,000, while 5 carat diamond drop earrings, on average, fetch $5,999.

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.