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Boucheron Emerald Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
emeralds accompanied by round and baguette cut diamonds. Crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed Boucheron and
Category

1990s French Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Boucheron Amethyst Diamond Flower Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold ring in the shape of a flower with birlliant cut diamonds in the shank and at the
Category

Vintage 1980s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Lapis and Diamond Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Bethesda, MD
From Boucheron Paris, a diamond and lapis lazuli domed ring. ♦ Designer: Boucheron ♦ Metal: 18
Category

Vintage 1980s French Dome Rings

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Boucheron Lapis Diamond Gold Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The House of Boucheron is a French family dynasty founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858. They were
Category

Vintage 1980s French More Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Boucheron Burma Sapphire Diamond Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
This is a beautiful and important Boucheron sapphire ring with a natural non-heated Royal Blue
Category

Vintage 1960s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire

Boucheron Gold and Diamond Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
A Boucheron gold and diamond bracelet, 18ct yellow gold, textured granulated links, set with ten
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Pavé Diamond Dress Ring
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
Here we have a stunning cluster ring from the world renowned luxury jewellery house of Boucheron
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Boucheron Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
Here we have a sophisticated bracelet from the world renowned French jewellery designer, Boucheron
Category

Vintage 1970s Link Bracelets

Materials

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

Boucheron Sapphire Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
Boucheron sapphire diamond gold ring Cabochon sapphire of approximately 9.85 carats, square-cut
Category

Late 20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Boucheron Art Deco Diamond Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1920-30s, 18k, by Boucheron, France. This sublime Art Deco diamond ring from the storied
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Boucheron Coral Diamond Gold Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Boucheron Paris 18K Yellow Gold pendant Earrings, flexible 2 section measuring 1 1/8
Category

Vintage 1980s French Drop Earrings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Coral Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
gold ring from Boucheron offers a dynamic look enriched with 3.00 carats of diamonds lending their
Category

Late 20th Century French Band Rings

Materials

Coral, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Malachite Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
Employing the exuberant radiance of 18K yellow gold and fabulous glisten of 0.30ct of diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century French Band Rings

Materials

Malachite, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Crystal Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
sparkle of diamonds totaling 0.85ct in this astonishing ring from Boucheron that also charms with its warm
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron 1970s Diamond Cluster Ring
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
This is an 18ct yellow gold diamond cluster ring from the luxury jewellery designer Boucheron. The
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Gemstone Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
widening ascent towards its majestic peak. Narrow trails of diamonds flank the first appearance of a ruby
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Coral Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Circa 1980 Yellow gold ring set with diamonds and coral, signed and numbered P49724, (13,6 grams)
Category

20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Ruby and Diamond Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
, Boucheron. Crafted from a rich 18ct yellow gold, these earrings showcase a bold architectural design. At the
Category

Vintage 1950s Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Serpent Boheme Diamond Gold Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in Feasterville, PA
The unique serpent boheme diamond gold necklace from Boucheron is finely crafted in 18kt yellow
Category

Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron French Diamond Bypass Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
with a pear-shaped diamond head. In total .37 carats of diamonds that grade F-G color and Vs1 clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Serpent Boheme Diamond Gold Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds. Signed Boucheron and numbered.
Category

Vintage 1970s French Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron 18K Gold Diamonds "Serpent Boheme" Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Flushing, NY
Boucheron 18K Gold Diamonds "Serpent Boheme" Ring Boucheron 750 Approximate Dimensions: 5 (Ring
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond

Important Boucheron Vintage Diamond Swag Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in San Francisco, CA
Circa 1950-60's, this spectacular Boucheron Paris platinum and 18k white gold necklace features 17
Category

Vintage 1950s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

18 Karat Boucheron Gold Diamond Ruby
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
18K Gold Diamond and Ruby Boucheron Brooch SKU#PB-02566
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Boucheron Paris Cushion Diamond Engagement Ring
By Boucheron
Located in NEW ORLEANS, LA
baguette diamonds, together weighing approximately 0.80 carat. The ring is signed BOUCHERON PARIS and is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Boucheron Serpent Boheme Diamond Gold Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
colorless diamonds and crafted in glistening 18k yellow gold. Signed Boucheron.
Category

Vintage 1970s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Rock Crystal Diamonds Gold Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Earrings in yellow gold, rock crystal and diamonds, signed by Boucheron and numbered. (48 grs)
Category

Vintage 1970s Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold

Boucheron 18K White Gold Diamond Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K White Gold & Diamond Ring by Boucheron - 0.56 carat center Diamond
Category

20th Century French Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron 18K Gold Diamonds "Serpent Boheme" Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Flushing, NY
Boucheron 18K Gold Diamonds "Serpent Boheme" Earrings Boucheron 750 Approximate Dimensions: 2.7
Category

20th Century Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Boucheron Coral Onyx Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An inspiring ring by French Masonry Boucheron. The center carved Angel Skin coral is set in
Category

Vintage 1970s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Boucheron Vintage Diamond Platinum Oval Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
A spectacular vintage piece from Boucheron, this exquisite ring is designed in a most elegant
Category

20th Century French More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

Peridot and Diamond Ring, BOUCHERON, Paris
By Boucheron
Located in Firenze, IT
Of ribbon form, with 64 round diamonds weighing approximately 3.84 carats, the center set with an
Category

Vintage 1970s French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Peridot, Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, France
By Boucheron
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Boucheron. These stylish earrings from the 70s are set with approximately 3ct circular cut diamonds (F-G/VVS
Category

Mid-20th Century French Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Boucheron Penguin Enamel Pearl Diamond Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in New Orleans, LA
the London branch of the renowned French jewelry firm of Boucheron. Sleek black enamel is used on the
Category

20th Century English Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Boucheron Emerald Diamond Gold Drop Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
six cabochon emeralds, further set with round and baguette diamonds, signed Boucheron, numbered 94264
Category

Late 20th Century Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Boucheron Carved Amethyst Diamond Flower Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 karat gold ring in the shape of a flower with brilliant cut diamonds in the shank and at the
Category

Vintage 1980s French Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Serpent Boheme Diamond Gold Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in Paris, FR
A design in pattern and texture from Boucheron. Each link ripples in the relief of a raindrop
Category

Late 20th Century French Retro Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Boucheron Ruby Diamond Rose Gold Compact
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
Perfect for the lady who desires every aspect of her life to be luxurious; the Boucheron Rose Gold
Category

20th Century French Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Boucheron Special Wood Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Creative, geometric, warm and pleasing to the eye. Boucheron, a fine French brand with an
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Earpendants
By Boucheron
Located in San Antonio, TX
18kt gold, sapphire, coral and diamond earpendants, signed Boucheron
Category

Vintage 1970s French Dangle Earrings

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Boucheron Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet Wristwatch
By Boucheron
Located in New York, NY
spherical structures, each sustaining seven small brilliant cut diamonds (2.5cts total). 18kt yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Retro Bracelets

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Art Deco Diamond Bracelet, 1920s
By Boucheron
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A beautiful and stunning Art Deco diamond bracelet from the renowned French jewellers Boucheron
Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Deco Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Boucheron Serpent Bohème Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
fantastic ring from Boucheron boasts 0.33ct of glistening diamonds against the warm nuance of 18K yellow
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French More Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Gold and Diamond Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Darnestown, MD
Boucheron eighteen karat gold earrings with six lobes. Each earring has 5 diamonds. Clip backs
Category

French Clip-on Earrings

Boucheron Serpent Bohème Diamond Gold Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
A complex design in pattern and texture from Boucheron. Each robust link of this bracelet ripples
Category

Late 20th Century French More Bracelets

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Paris Retro Diamond Star Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
approximately 1 carat of diamonds. Signed Boucheron. We sincerely hope it finds a home with an enthusiast who
Category

Vintage 1930s French Retro Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Boucheron ‘Quatre Classique’ Diamond Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in London, England
A stylish vintage Boucheron ‘Quatre Classique’ pendant necklace set in 18k yellow gold. The
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Boucheron Quatre Collection Diamond Gold Earrings
By Boucheron
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A pair of 18k white and yellow gold diamond set Quatre Radiant Edition hoop earrings from the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Sapphire Diamond Gold Clown Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
from Boucheron is made of prestigious 18K yellow gold and adorned with glittering diamonds totaling
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

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

Boucheron Crystal Diamond Gold Bypass Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
white gold ring from Boucheron also boasts the prestigious sparkle of diamonds weighing in total 0.40ct
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Boucheron Crystal Diamond Gold Bypass Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
delightful pastel nuance of marvelously shaped pink crystals in this gorgeous ring from Boucheron while
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron White Crystal Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
of this spellbinding 18K yellow gold ring from Boucheron, while glittering diamonds set underneath
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron White Crystal Diamond Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
of this spellbinding 18K yellow gold ring from Boucheron, while glittering diamonds set underneath
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Crystal Diamond Gold Bypass Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
delightful pastel nuance of marvelously shaped pink crystals in this gorgeous ring from Boucheron while
Category

Late 20th Century French More Rings

Materials

Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Boucheron Sapphire Bead Diamond Gold Necklace
By Boucheron
Located in Southampton, PA
of 1.00ct diamonds. The pendant is granted an extra plain fold boasting more diamond-studded splendor
Category

Late 20th Century French Multi-Strand Necklaces

Materials

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

Boucheron Rock Crystal Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By Boucheron
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Boucheron bracelet is very special as it is made from rock crystal, carved and set with
Category

Vintage 1980s French Modernist Cuff Bracelets

Materials

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

Boucheron Briolette Diamond White Gold Ring
By Boucheron
Located in Feasterville, PA
This ring features six lavish Briolette Diamonds that dangle from the ring which is what sets it
Category

Early 2000s Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

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Boucheron Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact boucheron diamond you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. If you’re looking for a boucheron diamond from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also brilliant cut cut and baguette cut cut versions available here, too. Finding a boucheron diamond for sale for women should be easy, but there are 155 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Boucheron Diamond?

On average, a boucheron diamond at 1stDibs sells for $9,480, while they’re typically $715 on the low end and $950,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Boucheron for sale on 1stDibs

As the oldest high-end jewelry boutique on the legendary Place Vendôme in Paris, dating to 1893, Boucheron stands for history, sensuality and avant-garde style. The French fine jewelry house has created iconic rings, necklaces and other adornments over its more than 160-year history for royalty like the Russian imperial family, the Maharaja of Patiala and Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. It has also received popular acclaim for its modern designs and playful motifs such as serpents and cats.

Since its founding in 1858 by Frédéric Boucheron with a boutique at the Palais Royal arcades, the maison has sought to create unforgettably unique pieces, push the boundaries of innovations in jewelry design and celebrate the opulence of gold. Many of its pieces are sculpted in gold by expert goldsmiths so that the material becomes a design element in its own right.

At its best, Edwardian jewelry was all about the exquisite diamond, platinum and pearl creations made by such famous names as Cartier and Boucheron. Later, Frédéric’s son Louis became especially interested in the Art Deco style as well as accessories like cigarette holders, bags and belts.

Boucheron is most famously known for its sources of inspiration: nature, animals and the earth. Its iconic Serpent Bohème collection, introduced in 1968, references the curves and scales of the animal with pear-shaped motifs and coiled accents adorned with diamonds and other precious stones like turquoiselapis lazuli and malachite. (A 1960s-era Boucheron brooch featuring a lavish mound of artfully assembled round and baguette diamonds set in platinum is a dinner-party conversation starter from any angle.)

Frédéric Boucheron gave a serpent necklace to his wife as a symbol of love and protection. Leopards, hummingbirds, deer and hedgehogs are referenced in the Animaux de Collection, while high-end 3D technology in the Nature Triomphante meticulously re-creates flower petals, ivy branches and other organic forms.

Boucheron also pays homage to Paris, the city where it was founded. The octagonal shape of the Place Vendôme is translated into the geometric Liseré pieces, and the Clou de Paris motif — which is integral to the house's Quatre series — is inspired by the cobblestones on its streets. Since 1859, when Boucheron introduced a collection of pocket watches, the maison has also regularly created timepieces with the same elegance and refinement as its jewelry.

Despite having such a long legacy, Boucheron has always been ahead of its time. Its creative collections and bold jewelry remain coveted and cherished. In 2018, its flagship in the Place Vendôme reopened after a restoration under its current owner Kering.

Find antique and vintage Boucheron jewelry on 1stDibs.

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.