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Sophia D. Rock Crystal Onyx and Diamond Ring
By Sophia D
Located in New York, NY
A Sophia D Art Deco style ring that features a striking rock crystal center and a 3.32 carat round
Category

2010s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal

Art Deco Platinum Rock Crystal Mother of Pearl Brooch Boxed, 1910
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
A truly fine item. Comprising an openwork rectangular with Rock Crystal plaque finely carved with
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Crystal, Pearl, Rock Crystal, Platinum

18 Karat Gold Rock Crystal White Diamonds Deco Style Drops Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Deco Collection, a Deco Style 18K White Gold Rock Crystal 0.35 White Diamonds
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Black Opal Old Mine Cut Diamond Rock Crystal Necklace 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
INDULGE IN THIS RARE AND MAGNIFICENT ANTIQUE ART DECO OPAL AND ROCK CRYSTAL BEAD NECKLACE WITH A
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Fred Leighton Diamond, Onyx and Rock Crystal Bow Necklace
By Fred Leighton
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Art Deco Revival Diamond, Onyx, and Rock Crystal Bow Necklace in 18K White and Yellow Gold, Signed
Category

Late 20th Century American Art Deco Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Whi...

Gold Diamond Rock Crystal Drop Earrings
By Sabrina Balsky Jewelry
Located in New York, NY
Sabrina Balsky Jewelry 2-3/4" long Faceted Rock Crystal Drop Earrings with Diamond detailing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 10k Gold, 24k Gold

Rossella Ugolini Deco Style White Diamonds 18K Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Rossella Ugolini Deco Collection, a Deco Style 18 Karats Yellow Gold Rock Crystal 0.35 White
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, Rock Crystal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yel...

Platinum, 18K, Rock Crystal, Diamond and Onyx Vintage Sautoir.
Located in Aspen, CO
Vintage sautoir, earlier to mid twentieth century composed of frosted rock crystal, moonstone
Category

Vintage 1950s Art Deco Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Platinum, 18K, Rock Crystal, Diamond and Onyx Vintage Sautoir.
Located in Aspen, CO
Vintage sautoir, earlier to mid twentieth century composed of frosted rock crystal, moonstone
Category

Vintage 1950s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Frosted Crystal Diamond Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco frosted crystal and diamond stickpin set in 14K white gold. The frosted crystal is back
Category

Vintage 1930s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold

18K Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Diamond Stud Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
0.12 Carats White Diamonds and Rock Crystal. Stud earrings version in Rock Crystal and Yellow Gold
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K Yellow Gold Filigree Necklace with Rock Crystal Pendant and Diamonds 22"
Located in Big Bend, WI
Art Deco 14K yellow gold necklace featuring a large beautiful frosted and reverse carved rock
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Emerald Diamond and Crystal Flower Vase Platinum Brooch
Located in London, GB
An Art Deco emerald, diamond and crystal flower vase platinum brooch This exceptional and unusual
Category

Vintage 1920s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond and Crystal Quartz Brooch in Platinum 950
Located in Lucerne, CH
various very typical elements for Art Deco jewellery. The basic element is an octagonal-cut rock crystal
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Quartz, Platinum

French Rock Crystal Onyx and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Cufflinks
Located in London, GB
in carved rock crystal set with two faceted onyx gems, further highlighted with rose-cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Deco Cufflinks

Materials

Rock Crystal, Onyx, Diamond, Crystal, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Tiffany Co. Crystal, Diamond and Onyx Platinum Bracelet, Art Deco, 1920s
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Roma, RM
Deco era. The bracelet is composed of articulated geometric links featuring rock crystal elements
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Red coral, rock crystal, gold and black onyx rondelle.
Located in New Orleans, LA
piece works well with a variety of accessories. Earrings of gold, rock crystal and diamond, or black
Category

2010s Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Crystal, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Gold

Lapis Lazuli, Frosted Rock Crystal and Diamond Dress Set, Circa 1930
Located in London, GB
A lapis lazuli, frosted rock crystal and diamond dress-set, with central round brilliant-cut
Category

Vintage 1930s British Art Deco Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Large tumbled rock crystal nugget and vintage venetian beads necklace
Located in New Orleans, LA
between the shimmering rock crystal “rocks“ are Art Deco black and white Venetian lamp work beads. These
Category

2010s American Art Deco Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Rock Crystal

14K Filigree Rock Crystal Diamond Necklace with Cast Link Chain
Located in Big Bend, WI
Art Deco 14K white gold necklace featuring a large beautiful frosted and reverse carved rock
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Aquamarine 18k Yellow Gold Diamonds Rock Crystal Classy Drops Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
, these Art Deco style 18k yellow gold Aquamarine, Diamond, and Rock Crystal dangle earrings from the
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Rock Crystal, Diamond, Crystal, Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Diamond, Rock Crystal Carved Natural stone carved Flowers Vase Pin/Pendant
Located in Aspen, CO
Platinum, Diamond, frosted rock crystal and carved hard stones depicting leaves and budding flowers
Category

20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Platinum

Set in 18K Gold, Tanzanite Cabochon, Rock Crystal Diamonds Stud Earrings
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
from Tanzania. The weight of the Rock crystal is 7.45 carats. The Diamonds weight is 0.42 carats. Net
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold

Diamonds Rock Crystal Emeralds Turquoise 18 Carat Yellow Gold Cornucopia Brooch
Located in Marcianise, IT
brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 2.50 carats, and luminous accents of rock crystal, which add
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rubelite 0.12c White Diamonds 18k Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Dangle Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
, a Deco Style 18 Karats Yellow Gold oval Rubellite Rock Frosted Crystal 0.12 Carats White Diamonds
Category

Early 2000s Italian Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Rubelite, Rock Crystal, White Diamond, Crystal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

Set in 18K Gold, 4.71 carats Rubellite, rock Crystal Diamonds Stud Earrings
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and beautiful, modern style, Rubellite & Rock Crystal Stud Earrings set in 18K
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Rubelite, 18k Gold

Medium GUM DROP Earrings with Rock Crystal and Cabochon Onyx and Diamonds
By Christina Addison
Located in New York, NY
earrings incorporate the art deco period materials of rock crystal and onyx with a modern twist mixing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow...

Rock Crystal Black Onyx Diamond Brooch 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
Rock Crystal Black Onyx and Diamond brooches were very popular during the Art Deco period and had a
Category

Mid-20th Century European Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold

1, 60 Carats Ruby Oval cut Diamonds 18K Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Stud Earrings
By Rossella Ugolini
Located in Rome, IT
Deco Style 18 Karats Yellow Gold Rubies Rock Frosted Crystal White Diamonds Stud Deco Earrings.
Category

2010s Italian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Onyx, Rock Crystal and Diamond Bow Brooch in 14k Yellow Gold Bow Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Art Deco bow style design displays impressive carved rock crystal panels, accented with two calibre
Category

Vintage 1930s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold, Silver

Rock Crystal 1 Carat Diamond Onyx Platinum Pendant Earrings Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Stylish and Classic Dangle Earrings; each earring features a large tear-drop shaped rock crystal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Platinum

Vintage doublet 9.57 Carat Tourmaline Rock Crystal Diamond Dangle Earring In 18K
Located in Hong Kong, HK
0.76 carats, and Round Diamonds 0.34 carats respectively. The Tourmaline Slice and Rock Crystal
Category

2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Silver and Rock Crystal Stud Earrings by Wiwen Nilsson Made 1968
By Wiwen Nilsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
These vintage earrings in silver feature clear rock crystal drops. Each earring presents a square
Category

Vintage 1960s Swedish Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Rock Crystal, Silver

Beautiful, Rare Rock Crystal Diamonds Pink Topaz Pendant Made in 1910 French
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Beautiful and very rare pendant in rock crystal and platinum set with diamonds and a natural pink
Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Platinum

Rubellite Rock Crystal Doublet Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18 Karat Rose Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
These Rubellite Rock Crystal Doublet Diamond Dangle Earrings are a paragon of elegance and
Category

2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Spessartite Rock Crystal Doublet Diamond Dangle Earring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Introducing our captivating Spessartite Rock Crystal Doublet Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18 Karat
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Art Deco Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mellerio Paris, French Gold, Diamonds, Silver, Lapis, and Obsidian Polo Player
By Mellerio dits Meller
Located in Long Island City, NY
Mellerio Paris, A French Gold, Diamonds, Silver-Gilt, Rock Crystal, Enamel, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Figurines and Sculptures

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Emerald, Rock Crystal, Gold, Silver

Rock Crystal Engraved Rectangular Shape Rock Crysta Pyramid 14k Yellow Gold Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Crystal ,measuring 23 mm. x 28 mm x 8 mm. and weighing 60 Carats with a nice Rock Crystal Pyramid
Category

2010s Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Quartz, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage doublet 9.05 Ct Blue Sapphire Rock Crystal Diamond Dangle In 18k Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Introducing the Doublet 9.05 Carat Blue Sapphire Rock Crystal Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18K white
Category

2010s Hong Kong Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Platinum, Diamond, Frosted Rock Crystal Carved Flower Vase Pin
Located in Aspen, CO
Platinum, diamond, frosted rock crystal and carved hard stones depicting leaves and budding flowers
Category

20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Opal, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal Bead Necklace with Diamond Clasp
By Michael Rose
Located in London, GB
An opal, lapis lazuli and rock crystal bead necklace with a diamond set clasp This Art Deco
Category

2010s British Retro Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Opal, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Art Deco Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
Exuding the decadence of the Art Deco era, this brooch hails from the revered French jeweler
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Platinum

Art Deco Maison Gripoix Crystal and Diamante Long Sautoir
By Maison Gripoix
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Maison Gripoix faceted crystal ring and diamante cluster long flapper style sautoir
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Link Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Art Deco 14k Onyx and Diamond Filigree Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
A fabulous onyx ring from the Art Deco (ca1920s) era! Crafted in 14k white gold, this lovely piece
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Engagement Rings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Enamel

David Webb Vintage 1990s Diamond Faceted Rock Crystal Black Enamel Hoop Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Vintage 1990s Diamond Faceted Rock Crystal Black Enamel Hoop Earrings Comprising a
Category

1990s American Art Deco Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier carved rock crystal “Door Knocker” earrings circa 1970
By Cartier
Located in Malmö, Skåne län
karat gold and brilliant-cut diamonds. Rock crystal (removable) Signed Cartier Paris. Height: approx 4
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K White Gold Diamond Drop Rock Crystal Necklace w/ Hand Engraved Cage Setting
Located in Venice, CA
This drop-shaped rock crystal pendant is wrapped in a masterfully hand engraved and diamond
Category

1990s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K White Gold Diamond Drop Rock Crystal Earrings w/ Hand Engraved Cage Setting
Located in Venice, CA
These drop-shaped rock crystal earrings are wrapped in masterfully hand engraved diamond encrusted
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, White Gold

Octagon Shape Engraved Rock Crystals Round Ruby Cabs 14 Kt Gold Stud Earrings
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Simple Chic Earrings made of 2 Engraved Octagon Shape Rock Crystals measuring 13 x 13 mm with 2
Category

Early 2000s Thai Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Original Art Deco Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring
Located in OVIEDO, AS
Original Art Deco Natural Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Ring mounted in Platinum. A refreshingly
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Cluster Rings

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Lace Quartz and Old Mine Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in beverly hills, CA
accented by milgrain detailing. This antique Art Deco piece is in impeccable condition, preserving its
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, Platinum

Rock Crystal Engraved Rectangular Shape Black Onyx Pyramid 14k Yellow Gold Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Italy to make simple-chic Art Deco style jewellery, completely handmade and using the typical gemstones
Category

2010s Thai Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Onyx, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14K White Gold Filigree Crystal Quartz Bracelet with Diamond and Green Synthetic
Located in Big Bend, WI
Art Deco 14K white gold filigree bracelet featuring 3 rock crystal quartz panels. One rectangular
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Jade Drop Pendant Baroque Pearls Rock Crystal Black Onyx Yellow Gold Necklaces
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Pendant measuring 13x35 mm. In 1978 our workshop started in Italy to make simple-chic Art Deco style
Category

1990s Thai Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Crystal, Jade, Onyx, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Burma Jade Pendant Baroque Pearls Rock Crystal Black Onyx Yellow Gold Necklaces
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
engraved Green Burma Jade 45x50 mm. In 1978 our workshop started in Italy to make simple-chic Art Deco
Category

1990s Thai Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Jade, Onyx, Pearl, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Style Mediterranean Red Coral White Diamond Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
By Luigi Ferrara
Located in Naples, IT
. These Earrings have also Rock Crystal. These Earrings are available also with Colored Flowers or
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Rock Crystal Flower Trillion Cut Peridot Solid 14k Gold Fashion Ring
By Tutti Frutti Jewellery
Located in Bangkok, TH
Flower carved Natural Rock Crystal (White Quartz) of 28 mm. in diameter with in the center a
Category

2010s Thai Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Crystal, Peridot, Rock Crystal, Gold, 14k Gold

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Art Deco Rock Crystal And Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact art deco rock crystal and diamond you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of gold, platinum and 18k gold, this item was constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 26 vintage editions and 9 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for an art deco rock crystal and diamond may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. An art deco rock crystal and diamond from Royaal Stones Ltd, Tiffany Co. and Cartier — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. A brilliant cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and emerald cut versions for sale. Finding an art deco rock crystal and diamond for sale for women should be easy, but there are 14 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Art Deco Rock Crystal And Diamond?

On average, an art deco rock crystal and diamond at 1stDibs sells for $5,295, while they’re typically $1,320 on the low end and $200,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

A Close Look at Art-deco Jewelry

Fascination with the Jazz Age is endless, and even today jewelry designers continue to be inspired by authentic Art Deco jewelry and watches.

The Art Deco period, encompassing the 1920s and ’30s, ushered in a very distinct look in the design of jewelry. There were many influences on the jewelry of the era that actually began to take shape prior to the 1920s. In 1909, Serge Diaghilev brought the Ballet Russes to Paris, and women went wild for the company’s exotic and vibrant costumes It’s no wonder, then, that jade, lapis lazuli, coral, turquoise and other bright gemstones became all the rage. There already existed a fascination with the East, particularly China and Japan, and motifs consisting of fans and masks started to show up in Art Deco jewelry.

However, the event that had the greatest influence on Deco was the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. When the world saw what was hidden in Tut’s burial chamber, it sent just about everyone into a frenzy. Pierre Cartier wrote in 1923 that “the discovery of the tomb will bring some sweeping changes in fashion jewelry.” And he couldn’t have been more right. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. (Cartier created some of the most iconic jewelry designs that defined this era.)

While a lot of Art Deco jewelry was black and white — the black coming from the use of onyx or black enamel and the white from rock crystal and diamonds — there is plenty of color in jewelry of the era. A perfect accent to diamonds in platinum settings were blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies, and these stones were also used in combination with each other.

Many designers employed coral, jade and lapis lazuli, too. In fact, some of the most important avant-garde jewelers of the period, like Jean Després and Jean Fouquet (son of Georges), would combine white gold with ebony and malachite for a jolt of color.

A lot of the jewelry produced during this time nodded to current fashion trends, and women often accessorized their accessories. The cloche hat was often accented with geometric diamond brooches or double-clip brooches. Backless evening dresses looked fabulous with sautoir necklaces, and long pearl necklaces that ended with tassels, popular during the Edwardian period, were favored by women everywhere, including Coco Chanel.

Find unique Art Deco necklaces, earrings, bracelets and other 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.