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Early 20th Century Diamond and Cultured Pearl Necklace
Located in London, GB
An early 20th century diamond centre and cultured pearl necklace, the detachable diamond-set centre
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Art Deco LaCloche Paris Conch Pearl Ear Pendants
Located in London, GB
A fine pair of La Cloche Art Deco conch pearl, enamel and diamond drop earrings, the conch pearls
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum

Victorian Emerald and Diamond Butterfly Pendant on a Chain
Located in London, GB
A Victorian emerald and diamond quatrafoil pendant on a chain, a centrally set old brilliant-cut
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

Turn-of-the-Century Gold Butterfly Brooch/Pendant
Located in London, GB
, with a gold pin set with a pearl, at the back the brooch fitting and pendant loop made in gold, bearing
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Edwardian Gem-Set Necklace
Located in London, GB
grassy green peridot stones, pale pink tourmalines, glittering diamonds and lustrous seed pearls go
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

An Art Nouveau Enamel And Diamond Dragonfly Pendant
Located in London, GB
An Art Nouveau enamel and diamond dragonfly pendant, the body set with old European and rose-cut
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Renaissance Revival Carved Opal Cameo Pendant
Located in London, GB
A Renaissance Revival carved opal cameo pendant, the cameo attributed to Wilhelm Schmidt depicting
Category

Antique 1880s British Renaissance Revival Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Stylized Art Nouveau Pendant
Located in London, GB
A stylised Art Nouveau pendant, depicting a lady in profile with floral decorations and an old-cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Conch Pearl, Emerald and Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian conch pearl, emerald and diamond pendant with later embellishments, the pear-shaped
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Fine Edwardian Natural Pearl and Diamond Necklace/ Brooch
Located in London, GB
, circa 1900, gross weight 15 grams. A lovely Edwardian diamond and pearl pendant. This piece features
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum

Lilly Hastedt Black Pearl Tassel Pendant, Sapphire and Diamond in 18 Karat Gold
By Lilly Hastedt
Located in London, GB
A Tahitian black pearl tassel pendant with white sapphire beads. The body is set in 18 Karat white
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl

White Gold Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Columbia, MO
Tahitian pearl and diamond pendant necklace! It features a round pearl and 3 round diamonds. The pearl and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

18K White Gold Black Tahitian Pearl with Diamonds Pendant
Located in Dallas, TX
An enchanting 13 mm black Tahitian pearl ornamented with white gold is endlessly versatile. The 18
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Natural Pearl, Rose Cut Diamond Black Enamel Flower Pendant
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
beautiful flower pendant. Each of the five petals are set with nine rose cut diamonds in a closed-back
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

18 Karat White Gold Tahitian Pearl Pendant with Round Black Diamonds
By Llyn strong
Located in Greenville, SC
faceted black diamonds, on an 18" 14k white gold cable chain. This pendant was designed and made by llyn
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tahitian Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning black cultured Tahitian pearl is display elegantly in a beautiful 18kt Yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Turtle Animal South Sea Baroque Pearl Brown Black Diamond 18K Gold Pendant
Located in Bangkok, TH
Buzzanca turtle! Pearl size 15 mm in diameter, adorned by 93 pieces of carefully selected brown and black
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Gold Pendant of Black and White Cultured Pearls
Located in Dallas, TX
18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Gold Pendant. 1 Round Black Cultured Pearl 10 MM. 1 Round White
Category

Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

Contemporary 18 Carat Yellow Gold Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Pendant and Chain
Located in Hamilton, AU
greenish-black Tahitian pearl held in the elegant embrace of an elegant diamond-encrusted frame that loops
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Antique Victorian era 18K diamond pearl puffy heart pendant
Located in Versailles, FR
floral motif made of 10 seed pearls and a rose-cut diamond. Diamonds symbolize the enduring nature of
Category

Antique 19th Century French Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Frederic Sage Medium Pear-Shaped Pendant with Black Mother-of-Pearl
By Frederic Sage
Located in New York, NY
Medium pear-shaped “Luna Flame” pendant with black Mother of Pearl and 18″ chain Total diamond
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold

Ico the Bird Baroque Pearl, Ruby, Diamonds Caged Bird 18k Gold Pendant
By Ico the Bird Fine Jewelry
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Baroque pearl, black diamond eyes decorating its golden body. The pendant features a reverse set .30 carat
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold

Ivanka Trump 18 Karat Gold Black Onyx Diamond and Freshwater Pearl Necklace
By Ivanka Trump
Located in St.amford, CT
approx. 0.40ctw in G/VS diamonds and onyx stones. Necklace is 20" long, pendant drop is 45mm long
Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, White Gold

David Yurman 18K Gold DY Elements Onyx Mother of Pearl Diamond Pendant Necklace
By David Yurman
Located in Boca Raton, FL
David Yurman 18K Gold DY Elements® Onyx Mother of Pearl Diamond Pendant Necklace From the DY
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Black Pear Onyx and Citrine Diamond Vintage 9 Carat Yellow Gold Enhancer Pendant
Located in Hamilton, AU
citrine and round diamond enhancer pendant. The spectacular shine of the pear shape onyx is perfectly
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Citrine, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Black Enamel Star Locket Pendant
Located in Sale, Cheshire
Century. The front of the locket is finished in black enamel, and features a diamond-set star motif with
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold

Victorian circa 1890 2.0 ct Old Mine Cut Diamond and Natural Pearl Gold Necklace
Located in Berlin, Berlin
pearl. In a frame of yellow gold, an old mine cut diamond of 2,00 ct is presented. The diamond is held
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold

9 Carat Yellow Gold Onyx and Diamond Vintage Enhancer Pendant
Located in Hamilton, AU
enhancer pendant. The spectacular contrast between the polish of the Onyx and the sparkle of the diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Abyss 14K Sterling Silver Pink Sheen Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace by TIN HAUS
By TIN HAUS
Located in Los Angeles, CA
rosecut pink sapphire gemstone, a black natural diamond, and freshwater pearls. - One-of-a-Kind
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Antique 18k Gold Diamond Ruby Turning Flower Photo Locket Pendant
Located in Versailles, FR
Keep a little diamond flower dancing close to your heart, together with a treasure from a beloved
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French High Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold

Art Deco Diamond Black Onyx Filigree White Gold Long Necklace
Located in Agoura Hills, CA
Crafted in 14K white gold, the necklace with an oval shaped pendant featuring a lace-like diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Pendant, Platinum, Belle Epoque, Onyx, Diamond 0, 94 Carat, 1920
Located in EL Waalre, NL
motive, set with rose cut diamonds and Orient Pearl. How will this pendant match your black dress
Category

Vintage 1920s French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

BLACK, STARR FROST Art Deco Diamond Pin with Pearl Drops
By Black, Starr Frost
Located in Greenwich, CT
Art Deco old European cut diamond open circle pin with articulated 'ribbon' pendants suspending two
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Giorgio Armani 75 Carat Aquamarine Gold Pendant
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
large white South Sea Pearl of over 17.00 mm is bezel set with a 1.00 carat Rose Cut Black Diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Deco Shield Shape Honeycomb Design Diamond and Onyx Platinum Pendantt
Located in New York, NY
Each..May Be Worn With a Black Ribbon Or a Platinum And Diamond Or Pearl And Platinum Chain. Handmade
Category

Vintage 1920s American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Large Black Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Long Black Chain Necklace
Located in Agoura Hills, CA
teardrop shape pave set diamond pendant in silver, one elongated marquise shape pave set diamond pendant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

14 Karat Erte Necklace Aventurine Diamond Onyx Art Deco, 1979
By Erté
Located in Boca Raton, FL
carved Mother of Pearl and accented with (6) Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds. Suspended from an 18 inch 14K
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold

Classic Cultured Black Pearl Drop Pendant and White Gold Snake Chain
Located in Dallas, TX
cultured black pearl pendant is crafted in 18kt white gold with five round brilliant cut diamonds bead set
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Drop Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

NIXIN Jewelry Renewal Australian Opal Necklace with Emerald and Tsavorite Garnet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
pendant marries old with new — a golden lattice punctuated with gems secures the ancient stone in place
Category

2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Black Opal, Emerald, Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Charm Necklace
Located in Sale, Cheshire
); chalcedony sugarloaf cabochon with diamond border; enamelled Joker playing card; pearl double heart
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Sapphire, Turquoise, Zircon, 15k Go...

NIXIN Jewelry Unicorn Tear Australian Opal Necklace No. 20 in 14k Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
. Framed in yellow gold, and mounted in a bezel setting, the opal pendant emotes colors of joy from its
Category

2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

An antique diamond and natural pearl clover pin/pendant
Located in Greenwich, CT
pearl (pink, white and black) center with a diamond open surround and diamond collet centre, mounted in
Edwardian Black Opal with Diamond Platinum Pin/Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
. Diamonds are VS-SI clarity and H-I color. Also with 8 half drilled pearls. 14.1 grams.
Category

20th Century Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Opal, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum

Mabe Pearl Diamond Earrings
Located in Birmingham, GB
highly polished black lip Mother of Pearl and approximately 0.25ct of fiery diamonds. Crafted in rose
Category

2010s British Modern Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Mizuki 14k Gold, Leather, Pearl And Diamond Necklace
Located in London, GB
, diamond-encrusted pendant tipped with lustrous freshwater pearl. Black. Knot and loop fastening at back
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Miscellaneous

Antique Gold Bow Ring with Pearl and Enamel
Located in Chicago, IL
enameled bow jewels – pendants, brooches, and hairpins – composed of stones, pearls, rubies, and diamonds
Category

Antique Mid-17th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Pearl, Gold, Enamel

Andrew Clunn Rock Crystal Diamond Citrine Coral Gold Pearl Necklace
By Andrew Clunn
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Andrew Clunn Rock Crystal Diamond Citrine Black Coral Gold Pendant and 3 strand Pearl Necklace
Category

Vintage 1980s American More Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Georgian Diamond Demi-Parure, Pendant Brooch Earrings
Located in San Marcos, CA
the neckline, a pendant on a long black velvet ribbon, or pinned at the neck on a wider black ribbon
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Necklace Enhancers

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Raymond C. Yard Prisoner of Love Gem-Set Charm
By Raymond C. Yard
Located in Greenwich, CT
Prisoner of Love gem-set charm in platinum, pearl and black enamel. Thirteen baguette-cut diamonds
Category

2010s American More Jewelry

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels Gold and Diamond Interchangeable Stone Disc Earrings
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris 18k horizontally striated gold ear pendants designed as a circular gold
Category

Vintage 1970s French Drop Earrings

Materials

Carnelian, Chrysophrase, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Turquoise, White...

Jeweled Faux Watch Pendant Necklace, Costume Jewelry
Located in Stamford, CT
Faux diamond and pearl adorent faux watch pendant necklace. Black enameled back. Chain drop is 18.5".
Category

Vintage 1970s American Drop Necklaces

French Gold Enamel Eagle Pendant, Paris, circa 1910
Located in St. Catharines, ON
diamonds, a mother of pearl center, an Old European-cut diamond suspending a pearl, the front and back of
Category

20th Century French Edwardian More Necklaces

YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive Gauche 1980s Iconic Heart Brooch-Pendant
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive gauche Heart Brooch-Pendant in shades of ruby, black diamonds glass
Category

Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces

YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive gauche 1980s Iconic Heart Brooch-Pendant
By Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Paris, IDF
Massive YVES SAINT LAURENT Rive gauche Heart Brooch-Pendant in shades of ruby, black diamonds glass
Category

Vintage 1980s French Chain Necklaces

Harry Winston Emerald Signature White Gold Diamond Ladies Watch 542/LQWL.M/02
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Mother of Pearl Dial Case dimensions: 24mm x 27mm 302 diamonds classic-cut diamonds set on watch (1.71
Category

2010s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold

Black Cultured Tahitian Pearl Diamond Pendant Necklace in 14kt
Located in Vienna, VA
11.0 MM Black Cultured Tahitian Pearl Diamond Pendant Necklace in 14K Black Cultured Tahitian
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Diamond and Tahitian Black Pearl Pendant in 18k White Gold
Located in Surfside, FL
Diamond and Tahitian black 12.5 mm pearl pendant in 18k white gold, with approximately 1 carat in G
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Gold

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Black Pearl And Diamond Pendant For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact black pearl and diamond pendant you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. You’re likely to find the perfect black pearl and diamond pendant among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic black pearl and diamond pendant over the years, but those made by Elisa Pozza by PETRONILLA, Mikimoto and Yoko London are often thought to be among the most beautiful. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also brilliant cut cut and mixed cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our black pearl and diamond pendant for sale are for women, but there are 26 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Black Pearl And Diamond Pendant?

On average, a black pearl and diamond pendant at 1stDibs sells for $2,435, while they’re typically $186 on the low end and $46,506 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 Necklaces for You

We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners. Today, Van Cleef necklaces, Tiffany necklaces and Cartier necklaces are some of the most popularly searched designer necklaces on 1stDibs.

Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers. 

In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs. 

For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone. 

Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage David Webb necklaces — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt

On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Dior, Chanel and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more. 

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This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making

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After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.