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Opal beads bracelet and 18k gold lock with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.84ct
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold clasp set with brilliant-cut diamonds up to 1.84 ct – F/G – VS/SI – on a pink opal
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Rose Cut Diamonds Bangle Bracelet
Located in Arnhem, NL
An antique/vintage Dutch 14 karat gold and old rose cut diamond bracelet/bangle. A rigid model with
Category

20th Century Dutch Retro Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

RIng with brilliant and baguette shaped diamonds up to 3.40ct 18k gold 6.7 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k two-tone gold ring set with a central brilliant-cut diamond up to 2.20 ct - N/O - VS/SI - and
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Earrings enamel decorated with citrine and billiant cut diamonds 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ear clips set with citrine and brilliant cut diamonds. 0.60ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Pendant with fluorite and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.12ct 14k gold 14.1 gram
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold pendant set with Fluorite total approximately 20.00ct and brilliant cut diamond up
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Fluorite, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Onyx Rose Cut Diamond and 14 Karat Gold Locket Pendant
Located in Arnhem, NL
An antique Victorian oval onyx locket /pendant set with a rose cut diamond (approximately 1 carat
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold

Large Antique Neoclassical Flemish Heart Diamond Silver Topped 18K Gold Pendant
Located in New York, NY
period diamond, silver topped gold heart with love trophies pendant Netherlands Early 19th Century
Category

Antique 19th Century Dutch Georgian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Earrings with pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 14k gold 4.8 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold earrings set with pearl and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.50 ct – F/G – VS/SI – 4.8
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

LEO PIZZO brooch with brilliant cut diamonds up to 3.00ct 18k gold 14.0 grams
By Leo Pizzo
Located in The Hague, ZH
White gold brooch signed by Leo Pizzo, set with brilliant-cut diamonds up to 3.00 ct F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with baguette en brilliant cut diamonds up to 2.00ct 14k gold 6.4 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold ring with brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds up to 3.00 ct – F/G – VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Necklace and pendant with sapphire and diamonds up to 1.00ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
and brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.00ct - F/G - VS/SI - 45 cm long detailed description: the length
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ring set with baguette and brilliant cut diamond 0.60ct, 18k gold 5.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring set with baguette and brilliant cut diamond up to 0.60ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 1.07 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique Dutch 1.07 carat diamond cluster ring in 14 karat yellow
Category

Antique 1890s Dutch Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Necklace with Tahiti pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.89ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold necklace with a drop-shaped Tahiti pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to . 0.89ct
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.00ct 14k gold 3.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold necklace with pendant set with brilliant-cut diamonds up to 1.00 ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Studearrings with brilliant cut diamond sup to 1.90ct 2.4 grams 14k yellow gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold solitaire stud earrings set with a 1.90 ct brilliant-cut diamond - K/L - VVS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.70ct -11.3 gram - 18k bicolour gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolor gold ring set with brilliant cut diamonds up to . 0.70ct - L/M, F/G - VS/SI - ring size
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

RETRO ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.85ct 18k gold 7.2 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold entourage ring set with brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.85 ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Earrings with ruby up to 2.40ct and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.20ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold stud earrings set with ruby ​​2.40ct and brilliant cut diamond up to 0.20ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Ring with sapphire and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.56ct 14k gold 4.6 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold cocktail ring set with sapphire and brilliant cut diamond. 0.56ct - ring size U.S
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Necklace with pendant with rose cut diamonds up to 0.70ct 14k gold 3.7 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold necklace with a pendant set with rose cut diamonds. 0.70ct – G/H SI – 45 cm long
Category

Vintage 1920s Dutch Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Earrings with ruby up to 1.70ct and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.42ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold earrings set with ruby up to 1.70 ct and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.42 ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

Necklace and pendant with opal and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.40ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold necklace with pendant set with opal and brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.50 ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold

Cross-over ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.00ct 18k gold 5.4 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold ring set with a 1.00ct brilliant-cut diamond - J/K - SI/P - ring size US 4.75 - EU
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Earrings with pearl and single cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 14k gold 4.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k pink gold earrings set with pearl and single-cut diamond up to 0.30 ct – F/G - VS/SI Detailed
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Earrings with pearl and brilliant cut diamond sup to 0.30ct 14k gold 6.6 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold earrings set with pearl and brilliant-cut diamond 0.30 ct - F/G - VS/SI Detailed
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Earrings with pearl and single cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 14k gold 4.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold earrings set with pearl and single-cut diamond up to 0.30 ct – F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Victorian brooch with rose cut diamonds up to 2.00ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
Victorian 14k yellow gold and silver branch brooch with rose cut diamond up to 2.00 ct - G/H - SI
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

18k bicolour gold bracelet set with chrysoprase and diamonds 0.80 ct - 17.5 cm
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolour gold bracelet set with lemongreen chrysoprase and brilliant cut diamonds 0.80ct F/G VS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Ring with sapphire and princess and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.20ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with sapphire and princess cut and brilliant cut diamonds. 0.20ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with emerald and brilliant cut diamonds 14k gold 9.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14 kt white gold necklace with pendant set with emerald and brilliant cut diamond to. 1.00 ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

CHIMENTO ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.88ct 18k gold 12.0 grams
By Chimento
Located in The Hague, ZH
CHIMENTO - 18k bicolor gold ring set with brilliant cut diamond up to 0.88ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Earrings with ruby and brilliant cut diamonds up to 2.00ct 18k gold 9.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold stud earrings set with rubies up to 2.80 ct and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 2.00
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

14k gold bracelet with chrysophrase and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.30ct
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold bracelet set with chrysoprase and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.30 ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

Vintage 1970s Dutch Modern Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, 14k Gold

JUGENDSTIL Ring with brilliant and single cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring with brilliant and single cut diamond 0.30ct - ring size US 7.25 - EU 17.5 (55
Category

Vintage 1920s Dutch Jugendstil Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 18k white gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold necklace with pendant set with brilliant cut diamonds up to. 0.30ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Necklace and pendant with onyx and single cut diamonds up to 1.00ct platinum
Located in The Hague, ZH
Platinum necklace with center piece set with onyx and single cut diamonds up to. 1.00ct - F/G - VS
Category

2010s Dutch Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Necklace of pink opal beads with 14k gold lock with diamonds up to 2.10ct
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold clasp set with a 2.10ct brilliant-cut diamond, F/G, VS/SI, on a pink opal bead
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold

Necklace and pendant with brilliant and single cut diamond up to 0.76ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold necklace with gold pendant set with brilliant and single cut diamond. 0.76 ct - G/H
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Earrings with pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 18k gold 5.1 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold clip-on earrings set with pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.00ct 14k white gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold necklace with a bicolor pendant set with brilliant cut diamonds up to. 1.00ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Earrings with emerald, tanzanite and diamonds up to 3.00ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolor gold earrings set with emerald, tanzanite and square cut diamond. 3.00 ct. - F/G - VS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Tanzanite, 18k Gold

Ring with brilliant and single cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 14k gold 8.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k two-tone gold ring set with brilliant-cut and single-cut diamonds. 0.50 ct – G/H – SI – ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Necklace with agate and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.05ct 21.0 grams 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold necklace and pendant set with moss agate and brilliant-cut diamonds 0.05 ct - F/G
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 14k Gold

Ring with pearl and tapered cut diamonds up to 0.45ct 18k gold 6.2 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a pearl and a taper baguette-cut diamond up to 0.45 ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Earrings with topaz and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.20ct 14k gold 3.8 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold stud earrings set with topaz and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.20 ct – F/G – VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold

Brilliant Cut Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Arnhem, NL
A vintage 14 karat white gold ring with 25 brilliant cut diamonds set in a floral cluster setting
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Retro Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Ring with pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.55ct 18k gold 7.8 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold entourage ring set with a pearl and brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.55 ct - F/G - VS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Victorian Pendant with rose cut diamonds up to 0.60ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold and silver pendant set with rose-cut diamonds up to 0.60 ct – G/H – SI – 12.2 grams
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

ART NOUVEAU Ring with rose diamonds up to 0.20ct 18k gold 4.8 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold solitaire ring with rose-cut diamonds up to approximately 0.20 ct F/G SI - ring size
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with amethyst and brilliant cut diamonds 14k gold 3.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold necklace and pendant set with amethyst and brilliant cut diamond total approximately
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold

Ring with ruby and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 18k gold 5.6 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring set with a ruby ​​and a brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.50 ct F/G - VS/SI - ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

ART NOUVEAU ring with ruby, brilliant/single cut diamonds up to 1.00ct platinum
Located in The Hague, ZH
diamond up to 1.00ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size US 5.5 - EU 16 (50) detailed description the top of the
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

LUTH DESIGN - necklace with hematite, moonstone and diamonds 18k yellow gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
LÜTH BIJOUX - 18k yellow gold necklace with hematite, moonstone and brilliant cut diamond. 0.15
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Hematite, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ring with topaz and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.15ct 18k gold 10.0 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring set with topaz and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.15 ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold

Victorian brooch with a portrait and diamonds up to 1.00ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
diamonds. 1.00ct – G/H – SI detailed description: the size of the brooch is 3.8 cm long by 3.3 cm wide
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with sapphire and baguette cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 14k gold 10.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold ring set with sapphire and baguette cut diamonds up to 0.50ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

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Diamond Netherlands For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of diamond netherlands. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from gold, 18k gold and yellow gold — can elevate any look. Our selection of items includes 274 vintage examples as well as 400 contemporary versions. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 18th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. Pieces in our collection of diamond netherlands made by contemporary jewelers — as well as those associated with modern — are very popular. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Bibi van der Velden, Tears Undressed and Bonebakker are consistently popular. Browse our collection of 546 diamond versions today to add the perfect touch to your look. A selection of round cut, brilliant cut and rose cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of diamond netherlands, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Diamond Netherlands?

On average, diamond netherlands at 1stDibs sell for $3,810, while they’re typically $55 on the low end and $296,409 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.