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Angara Natural Gypsy-Set Diamond Horseshoe Pendant in 14K Solid Gold for Women
By ANGARA INC.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
horseshoe diamond pendant is designed to allure. The lustrous horseshoe is adorned with a sparkling gypsy
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold

0.25 Carat Natural Pink Sapphire Diamond Horseshoe Necklace 14 Karat Gold G SI
Located in New York, NY
0.25 Carat Natural Diamond and Pink Sapphire Horseshoe Necklace Pendant 14K White Gold G SI 18
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, White Gold

Vintage 14K 2-Tone Woven Gold Bar Link Bracelet and Diamond Horseshoe Clasp
Located in Boston, MA
horseshoe clasp, adorned with 18 sparkling round diamonds totaling approximately 0.18 carats, finished with
Category

1990s Modern Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold

0.25 Carat Natural Sapphire and Diamond Horseshoe Necklace 14 Karat Gold G SI
Located in New York, NY
0.25 Carat Natural Diamond and Sapphire Horseshoe Necklace Pendant 14K White Gold G SI 18 inches
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold

2.41 Ct. Emerald Pendant in 14K Solid Yellow Gold with Diamond Horseshoe Design
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
pave-set diamonds, offering a sparkling contrast to the lush emerald below. The horseshoe design is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

0.15 Carat Natural Diamond Horseshoe Necklace Pendant 14 Karat White Gold G SI
Located in New York, NY
100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Necklace 0.15CTW G-H SI 14K
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

1.30 Ct Diamond Horseshoe Men s Bracelet Rolex Style Links 14K White Gold 34.3 g
Located in New York, NY
This stunning bracelet showcases elegant horseshoe links adorned with 1.30 carats of round-cut
Category

2010s American Modern Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 18 Karat and Platinum 6.0 Carats Old Mine Cut Diamond Large Horseshoe
Located in New York, NY
Late Victorian 6.0 Carat Diamond Horseshoe on a Victorian 15k Yellow Gold long chain c.1880s Old
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18k White Gold Horseshoe Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This circa 1980s necklace features a diamond horseshoe pendant crafted in 18k white gold, suspended
Category

Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique 2.36 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique 2.36 carat diamond and 9 karat yellow gold horseshoe brooch
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.00 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Platinum over Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A beautifully symmetrical Diamond horseshoe brooch! The horseshoe is set with 37 old European
Category

Early 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Burma Ruby and Diamond Cluster Necklace Platinum and 18K Gold
Located in New York, NY
hue and excellent crystal transparency. Each ruby is accentuated by a diamond horseshoe comprised
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

14k Yellow Gold Diamond Horse Shoe Pendant Necklace w/ Chain
By Non Branded
Located in Lexington, KY
This 14k yellow gold diamond horseshoe necklace reimagines luck into fashion. The softly curved
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Exclusive Invitation Card to Andy Warhol Memorial Lunch from Estate of Tim Hunt
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
Warhol's Memorial Lunch at the Diamond Horseshoe in the Paramount Hotel bears an image of Andy Warhol's
Category

1980s Pop Art Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph, Offset

Hand Carved Folk Art Chairs by Joseph Deveau, Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
decorated with a variety of chip carved motifs including hearts, diamonds, horseshoes, starbursts and other
Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art More Folk Art

Materials

Pine

Three Hand Carved Folk Art Canes / Sticks by Joseph Deveau, Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
pine logs and decorated with a variety of chip carved motifs including hearts, diamonds, horseshoes
Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art More Folk Art

Materials

Pine

Horseshoe Charm with Diamond and Sapphire, Platinum
By Felix Vollman
Located in Bethesda, MD
Bring good fortune with this Platinum Diamond and Sapphire Horseshoe Charm by Felix Vollman
Category

1990s Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Diamond Ruby 14K Gold Horseshoe Vintage Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Awesome 1940's Horseshoe Ring 8 - Brilliant Round Diamonds 3 - Round Rubies 8 grams 14kt Yellow and
Category

Vintage 1940s Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

14K White Gold Diamond Encrusted Horseshoe Pendant
Located in Venice, CA
diamonds. The diamonds are bead set and create a scalloped effect around the edge of the horseshoe that
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Sapphire Diamond Gold Horseshoe Stick Pin
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890 An antique gold stickpin in the form of a horseshoe (a good luck symbol) is embellished
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

Horseshoe Natural Ruby Diamond Necklace 14kt gold
Located in New York, NY
Horseshoe pendant .50ct. Natural Ruby VS clean clarity Billiant oval cut 5.6 x 4mm .30ct
Category

2010s American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Handmade Horseshoe Oxidised Silver Diamond Luck Ring
By Emre Osmanlar
Located in ISTANBUL, TR
0,15 ct diamond Silver
Category

2010s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Silver

Diamond Tool and Horseshoe Company Product Display
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1930s/1940s; Diamond Tool Horseshoe Co. - Duluth, MN Vintage horseshoe point-of-sale display
Category

Mid-20th Century American Models and Miniatures

Materials

Aluminum, Iron

White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Horseshoe Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 carat yellow gold horseshoe sliding pendant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Horseshoe Brooch with Pearls and Diamonds
Located in Milano, MI
This beautiful horseshoe shaped brooch is set in 18ct rose gold and platinum with rose cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Sapphire Horseshoe Pendant Necklace
Located in Narberth, PA
A fantastic horseshoe pendant necklace from the Victorian (ca1899) era! Crafted in 18kt yellow gold
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Large horseshoe diamond pendant necklace 18KT gold heavy
Located in Boca Raton, FL
incredible horseshoe pendant necklace in 18KT with more than 2 carats of diamonds and small blue
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and Natural Ruby Horseshoe Bangle Bracelet
Located in Narberth, PA
An incredible gemstone horseshoe bracelet from the Victorian (ca1880) era! Most likely French in
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

.20 Carat Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 1900's horseshoe brooch set with 15 square cut rubies and 12 rose cut diamonds. Fold up
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian French Ruby, Diamond, and Sapphire Horseshoe Pin
Located in Narberth, PA
the base and accent both tips of the horseshoe, giving a total approximate diamond carat weigh of
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Edwardian 1900s 3.50 Carat Diamond Openwork Horseshoe Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in platinum with Old European, Old Mine, Single, and Rose cut Diamonds weighing
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Diamond Ruby Horse Ring 14K Gold Horseshoe Band Vintage
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Ruby Horse Ring 14K Gold Horseshoe Band Vintage This gorgeous horseshoe ring is finely
Category

20th Century Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Horseshoe Motif Diamond Ring – 9k Gold and Silver, Single-Cut Diamonds
Located in Tampa, FL
Charming Victorian-era horseshoe ring set with single-cut diamonds in silver over gold. This
Category

Antique 1880s European Victorian Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Horseshoe 1.40ct Diamond (Round Baguette) Cluster White Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
Designed as a horseshoe, this lovely pendant is set with a cluster of sparkling round brilliant
Category

Early 2000s German Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold

Edwardian Sloan Co Diamond Ruby Old Mine Diamond 14K Gold Horseshoe Brooch
By Estate Jewelry
Located in Brambleton, US
Edwardian Sloan & Co Diamond Ruby Old Mine Diamond 14K Gold Horseshoe Riding Crop Brooch Hunting
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

.925 Sterling Silver Pave-Set Diamond Accent Horseshoe Hoop Earring
Located in New York, NY
Make her stand out with these unique horseshoe diamond earrings. Fashioned in lustrous sterling
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver

9ct Gold, Sapphire Diamond, Lucky Horseshoe Pendant Necklace, Circa 1880
Located in Brighton, GB
. The diamonds are arranged along the curve of the horseshoe, with the sapphire positioned at the apex
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 9k Gold

Mid-Century 1.35 CTW Ruby Diamond Platinum Vintage Double Horseshoe Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
transitional cut diamonds Weighing approximately 0.45 carat total - G color with VS2 clarity Other horseshoe is
Category

Vintage 1950s Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian 14k/Sterling Silver Diamond and Ruby Double Horseshoe Ring
Located in Narberth, PA
bead-set old European cut diamonds. A small round-cut ruby is nestled between each of the horseshoes
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

.925 Sterling Silver Pave-Set Diamond Accent Horseshoe Hoop Earring
Located in New York, NY
Make her stand out with these unique horseshoe diamond earrings. Fashioned in lustrous sterling
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver

White Diamond Baguette Horseshoe Pendant Necklace in 18K White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous 1.50 ct. good quality, white and bright diamond baguettes. Handmade in 18k white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, White Gold

Double Horseshoe Diamond Band Ring in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Metal: 14K Yellow Gold ​​​Ring Size: 7 Total Weight: 10.0 Grams Diamond
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Edwardian Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Antique Horseshoe Stake Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized yellow gold horseshoe with platinum stake Horseshoe is stylized with a
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

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

Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Horseshoe Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 carat white gold horseshoe sliding pendant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

French Lucky Horseshoe 18K Yellow Gold Seven Diamond Charm Pendant
Located in London, GB
A French 18 karat (18K) yellow gold charm pendant designed as a lucky horseshoe set with seven
Category

Vintage 1920s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alex Jona White Diamond 18 Karat Rose Gold Horseshoe Necklace
By Alex Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 carat rose gold horseshoe sliding pendant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18k Gold Dainty Horseshoe Diamond Necklace Slim U Shape Necklace
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Dainty Horseshoe Diamond Necklace is made of 18k solid gold. Available in three colors of gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

14k Gold Dainty Horseshoe Diamond Necklace Slim U Shape Necklace
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
Dainty Horseshoe Diamond Necklace is made of 14k solid gold available in three colors of gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

18ct RoseGold Victorian Bohemian Garnet Diamond Lucky Horseshoe Pendant Necklace
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Horseshoe Necklace 18ct Rose Gold Tested Circa 1870s This exquisite Victorian horseshoe
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Horseshoe Bangle Bracelet – Blue Enamel, Old Mine Cut Diamonds, c1880
Located in Santa Monica, CA
The horseshoe that is the center design of this antique 14K cuff bracelet, is a known symbol of
Category

Antique 1880s Bangles

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Brooch 18kt Gold Horseshoe with Sapphires and Diamonds 1920 Platinum
Located in Paris, FR
Horseshoe brooch circa 1920 in 18 kt yellow gold adorned with 20 calibrated sapphires and 14 old
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Platinum

1880s Victorian 14K Rose Gold Horseshoe Locket Pendant Diamonds Cultured Pearl
Located in Miami, FL
A finely crafted Victorian locket pendant, circa 1880s, modeled as a lucky horseshoe in warm 14K
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Rose Gold

Certified Lavender Jade Rose Cut Diamond Lucky Horseshoe Ring Pendant Set.
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Please check out the HD Video! Here is a very eye pleasing lavender jade-diamond ring and pendant
Category

2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Edwardian Diamond Pearl Horseshoe Lucky Brooch Yellow Gold 20th Century
Located in Lisbon, PT
A Lucky Treasure: Edwardian Horseshoe Brooch in Gold, Diamonds and Pearls, England, circa 1900. A
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Seed Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Horseshoe Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
diamond. The horseshoe shaped frame that surrounds the clover is ornamented with thirteen pavé set
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Horseshoe 9 Diamond Satin Finish Ring in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
brilliant cut diamonds Diamond Carat Weight: 0.50 carats Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS Condition
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Yellow Rose Gold .20ctw Diamond Large Horseshoe Enhancer Bail Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (19) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - Nice Brilliant White
Category

20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

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Diamond Horseshoe For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the diamond horseshoe you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and 14k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 150 antique edition and 116 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a diamond horseshoe from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a diamond horseshoe has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by LB Exclusive, Hermès and Cartier are consistently popular. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also brilliant cut cut and old mine cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our diamond horseshoe for sale are for women, but there are 94 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Diamond Horseshoe?

Prices for a diamond horseshoe can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $129 and can go as high as $38,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $1,995.

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.