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ART NOUVEAU Ring with rose cut diamonds up to 0.25ct 18k gold 5.0 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with rose-cut diamonds up to 0.25 ct – G/H – SI - ring size US 9 - EU 19(60
Category

Vintage 1920s Dutch Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.60ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold necklace with pendant set with pearl and brilliant cut diamond 0.60ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Chain and pendant with emerald and brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.96ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold necklace with pendant set with emerald and brilliant cut diamond 1.96 ct - F/G - VS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

ART NOUVEAU brooch with enamal and old European cut diamonds 1.00ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
diamonds. 1.00ct – F/G – VS/SI – 7.8 grams detailed description: the size of the brooch is 5.2 cm long
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Pearl necklace with ruby and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.80ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
Pearl necklace with 18k white gold clasp and pendant set with a sapphire and brilliant-cut diamond
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold

Early 20th Century Rose Cut Diamonds and Cultured Pearl Stud Earrings
Located in Rotterdam, NL
millimeters in diameter, each framed by a halo of antique-style rose cut diamonds. The diamonds are set in
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Revival Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold

ART NOUVEAU Brooch with old European and single cut diamond upto 1.90ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
ART NOUVEAU 18k white gold brooch set with old European and single cut diamonds to. 1.90ct – F/G
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with sapphire and brilliant cut diamonds up to 2.00ct 14k gold 8.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold ring set with a sapphire and brilliant-cut diamond up to 2.00 ct - F/G - US - ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Bracelet with opal and single cut diamonds up to 0.40ct 18k gold 26.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold hinged bracelet set with opal and single-cut diamonds up to 0.40 ct – F/G – VS/SI
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Ring with old EUropean cut and single cut diamonds up to 0.54ct platinum
Located in The Hague, ZH
950ct platinum ring set with a single-cut and old brilliant-cut diamond, 0.54 ct - ring size US
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Ring with Tahiti pearl and brilliant cut diamonds 18k gold 5.0 gram
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a Tahitian pearl and black and white brilliant cut diamonds - ring
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.81ct 18k yellow gold 7.6 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold band ring with a harp motif set with a central brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.96 ct
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Earrings with brilliant cut diamonds up to 2.00ct 7.2 grams 18k white gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold stud earrings set with brilliant cut diamonds up to 2.00ct F/G - VS/SI detailed
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ring with topaz and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.60ct 14k gold 11.0 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold ring set with topaz and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.60 ct – F/G – VS/SI – ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold

Ring with sapphire and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.60ct 14k gold 5.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold ring set with a sapphire and brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.60 ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Ring with ruby and brilliant cut diamond up to 0.51ct 18k gold 7.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a ruby ​​and a brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.51 ct – G/H - SI - ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Necklace with chrysophrase and brilliant cut diamond - 16.2 gram, 14k white gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold necklace set with chrysophrase and brilliant cut diamonds. 0.15ct - F/G - VS/SI - 45
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Choker Necklaces

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

2.3 Carat Total Diamond Natural Sapphire Art-Deco Style Platinum Stud Earrings
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
An exquisite pair of stud earrings with a 0.25 carat diamond bezel-set in each, with a halo of an
Category

2010s Dutch Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Victorian brooch with enamel, pearls and rose cut diamonds 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold with silver brooch decorated with enamel, pearls and rose diamond up to 0.10ct - G
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

set of 3 eternity ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.42ct 18k gold 3.5 gr
Located in The Hague, ZH
Set of three 18k bicolor gold eternity rings with brilliant-cut diamonds up to 1.42 ct – F/G – VS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Flower head shape pendant with rose diamonds up to. 4.00ct 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold with silver in a flower head shape pendant set with various rose diamonds up to
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Ring with amethyst and single cut diamonds up to 0.12ct 18k gold 6.8 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with amethyst and single cut diamond. 0.12ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size U.S
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian brooch with rose cut diamonds up to 1.10ct 18k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k gold with silver brooch set with rose diamonds up to 1.10ct - G/H - SI - size 2.2 cm x 5.1 cm
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Edwardian Crescent Moon Brooch, Antique Rose Diamond and Natural Sapphire Jewel
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
crafted from solid 14K rose gold and set with foiled rose-cut diamonds and natural blue sapphires. The
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Ring with amethis and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.20ct 15.0 grams 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k bicolour gold ring set with amethyst and brilliant cut diamond up to 0.20ct - F/G - VS/SI- ring
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Necklace and pendant with opal and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.60ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
-cut diamonds up to 0.60 ct - F/G - VS/SI - 50 cm long Detailed description The necklace is 50 cm
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian Onyx Rose Cut Diamonds and 14 Karat Gold Locket Pendant
Located in Arnhem, NL
An antique Victorian oval onyx locket pendant with a silver flower applique set with rose diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, Silver

Ring with turquoise and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.15ct 14k gold 8.6 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k bicolor gold ring set with turquoise and brilliant-cut diamonds up to approximately 0.15 ct – F
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold

Necklace and pendant with ruby and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.30ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18 kt yellow gold necklace with bicolour gold pendant set with ruby and brilliant cut diamonds 0.30
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Early 20th Century Rose Cut Diamond and Cultured Pearl Cluster Ring
Located in Rotterdam, NL
14 mm in diameter. The pearl is surrounded by a halo of sparkling rose-cut diamonds, each
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver

Brooche with blue enamel and rose diamonds 18k gold with silver 13.0 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k gold with silver brooch with blue enamel and set with rose cut diamonds total approx. 0.20 ct G
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel

Necklace and pendant with Sapphire up to 0.70ct and single cut diamonds 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold necklace and pendant set with sapphire to. 0.70ct and single cut diamond 0.24ct - F
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

RETRO - Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 18k gold - 13.6 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18 kt bicolour ring with brilliant cut diamond 0.80 ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size U.S. 6 - EU. 16.5
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.70ct 18k yellow gold 5.3 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring with brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.70 ct – F/G - VS/SI - ring size US 6.5 - EU
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14k yellow white gold earrings with sapphire 1.40 carat diamonds 0.24 carat
Located in Heemstede, NL
oval-cut sapphires, delicately encircled by an entourage of brilliant-cut diamonds, all masterfully set
Category

Vintage 1980s Dutch Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

DIAMONDE Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.28ct 14k white gold 4.7 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
DIAMONDE 14k white gold solitaire ring set with brilliant cut diamond up to 0.28ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Solitaire Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Ring with emerald and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.92ct 14k gold 6.7 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
diamonds up to. 0.92ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size U.S. 7.25 – EU. 17.5 (55) detailed description: The top
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Three stone ring with sapphire and old mine cut diamond up to 1.03ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
investigated for this specific object - 1 x 6.1 mm x 4.1 mm oval old mine cut diamond, approximately 1.03
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Early Victorian Ring with rose cut diamonds up to 0.40ct 18k gold 7.0 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring set with rose-cut diamonds up to 0.40 ct – G/H - SI - ring size US 9.25 - EU
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

RETRO ring with brilliant and single cut diamonds up to 0.38ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a single-cut and brilliant-cut diamond, totaling approximately 0.38ct
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with old mine cut diamond sup to 0.75ct 14k gold 2.7 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold ring with old mine-cut diamond up to 0.75 ct – G/H - VS/SI - ring size US 5.5 – EU
Category

Vintage 1920s Dutch Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Bracelet with black opal and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.50ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold bracelet set with black opal and brilliant-cut diamonds up to 0.50 ct - F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Modern Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold

Ring with sapphire and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.78ct 18k gold 8.5 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold ring set with sapphire and brilliant cut diamond 0.78 ct F/G - VS/SI - ring size US
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.60ct 3.0 grams 14k white gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold ring set with a central brilliant cut diamond 0.50 ct G/H-VS and side stones
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat Yellow Solid Gold Flat Snake Necklace with Brilliant Cut Diamonds
Located in Arnhem, NL
bicolor (white and yellow gold) curved insert set with seven brilliant cut diamonds. The necklace closes
Category

20th Century Dutch Contemporary Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Pendant with coral and brilliant cut diamond up to 0.03ct 19.0 grams 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
brilliant-cut diamond up to 0.03 ct – F/G – VS/SI Detailed description: The pendant measures 4.9 cm long
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with sapphire and brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.00ct - 5.9 gram - 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k bicolour gold ring set with sapphire 1.00 ct and brilliant cut diamond 1.00 ct -F/G - VS/SI
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

RETRO brooch with old mine cut diamonds up to 1.00ct 18k gold and platinum
Located in The Hague, ZH
RETRO 18k rose gold and platinum brooch in the shape of a peacock, set with old mine-cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Necklace with pearls and rose cut diamonds 18k gold and silver 12.4 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k yellow gold necklace with a gold and silver centerpiece set with pearls and rose diamonds - 40
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver

Earrings with green chalcedony and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.42ct 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold earrings set with green chalcedony and brilliant cut diamond up to 0.42ct - F/G - VS
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold

Ring with pearl and brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.00ct - 24.5 gram - 18k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a pearl and brilliant cut diamond. 1.00ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Ring with chrysophrase and brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.91ct 14k gold 9.4 gram
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold entourage ring set with a chrysophrase in the center and brilliant cut diamonds
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, 14k Gold

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 2.16ct 18k white gold 8.7 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with a brilliant-cut diamond up to 2.16 ct - F/G - VS/SI - ring size US 7
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Bracelet with sapphire and brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.95ct 14k gold 11.8 gr
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold bracelet set with sapphire and brilliant-cut diamond - 6.2 cm x 5.5 cm Detailed
Category

2010s Dutch Art Deco Clamper Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Necklace and pendant with coral and diamonds up to 0.80ct 14k gold 12.9 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k white gold anchor necklace with a white gold pendant set with coral and diamonds up to 0.80 ct
Category

1990s Dutch Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold

Pendant and necklace with old European cut diamonds 14k gold and platinum
Located in The Hague, ZH
European cut diamonds up to. 1.00ct – F/G – VS/SI - 45 cm long Detailed description the length of the
Category

Vintage 1910s Dutch Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.35ct 10.2 grams 18k white gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k white gold ring set with champagne and white brilliant cut diamonds up to 1.35ct - ring size US
Category

2010s Dutch Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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.