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Impressive 2.53 Carat Diamonds by the Yard Necklace
Located in San Francisco, CA
There's diamonds by the yard, and then there's DIAMONDS by the yard! This stunner features five
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond by the Yard by Elsa Peretti
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Bethesda, MD
From Tiffany & Co's acclaimed designer Elsa Peretti diamond by the yard collection and diamond
Category

Early 2000s American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Judith Ripka 18k Gold 35" Diamond Multicolor Stone Hearts By the Yard Necklace
By Judith Ripka
Located in Montclair, NJ
: Solid 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 64.09 Grams Chain Type: Diamond & Multi-color Stone Heart By the Yard w
Category

1990s Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Long Sapphire Diamond by the Yard Gold Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
separated by a single near colorless diamond. Crafted in 18k white gold. 70 inches long.
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Roman Malakov Tsavorite Diamonds by the Yard Necklace
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
A classic diamonds by the yard necklace accented with oval cut Tsavorites . Set in 18k white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold

0.55 Carat Diamond Rose Gold Diamonds by the Yard Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
32 inch 18 karat rose gold diamonds by the yard necklace featuring 0.55 carat of pave-set diamond
Category

2010s More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds by The Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K yellow gold Diamonds: 30 round brilliant and baguette cut = 0.30cttw
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

New 18K Gold GIA 1.76ctw Diamond Marquise Pendant By the Yard Chain Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Marquise Brilliant Cut - Prong Set - G Color - I1
Category

2010s American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

TIFFANY CO. ELSA PERETTI 18k Yellow Gold Diamond by the Yard Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tiffany & Co. by Elsa Peretti 18k Yellow Gold & Diamond by the Yard Bracelet Here is your chance
Category

1990s American Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Cartier Diamond By The Yard Choker Yellow Gold Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond By The Yard Choker Necklace by Cartier. With 11 round brilliant cut
Category

20th Century French Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18k White Gold Long Tumbled Rose Quartz Diamond by the Yard Chain Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have a like new 50 inch tumbled rose quartz, diamond ball, and brushed gold bead chain
Category

2010s American Multi-Strand Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold

7.26 Carat Bezel-Set Diamond by The Yard Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
18 karat white gold bezel-set diamond by-the-yard necklace featuring 7.26 carat of diamond (G/SI
Category

2010s Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds by the Yard 5-Stone White Gold Necklace
Located in San Francisco, CA
This 18k white gold 'diamonds-by-the-yard' style necklace features 5 round brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

New 18k TT Gold 4.38ctw Large Bezel Set Diamond by the Yard Chain Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
This gorgeous, custom made, diamond by the yard necklace is newly crafted from solid 18k white and
Category

2010s Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co, By the Yard 0.24 Carat H/VVS1 Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Necklace
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Paris, FR
Tiffany & Co, Elsa Peretti By the Yard Diamond & 18K Yellow Gold Necklace, Round Brilliant Cut
Category

2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emilio Jewelry 46 Inch Diamond by the Yard Necklace
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
Hand made uniqye 46 inch diamond by the yard necklace in 18k gold. 3 link intervals connected with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Bethesda, MD
Tiffany & Co. round diamonds catch the light and make it dance. Elsa Peretti bracelet in 18k rose
Category

2010s Spanish Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1.50 Carat Princess Cut Diamond by the Yard Necklace
Located in US
Beautiful Diamond by the Yard Necklace Pendant Style Set With: 4 Natural Diamonds Princess Cut
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

49" Diamond By the Yard Necklace with 8.00 Carat Total 18k White Yellow Gold
By Odelia
Located in La Jolla, CA
49 inch long Diamond By the Yard Necklace with 8.00 Carats Total Weight 18k White & Yellow Gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Modern Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamonds by the Yard Diamond Gold Solitaire Ring
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
A seemingly classic design with an intriguing and graceful twist at the very top of this slim 18K
Category

Late 20th Century Solitaire Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

2.85 Carat Total Diamond by the Yard Gold Necklace
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
Diamond by the yard necklace with very little space in between each diamond. Necklace bezel set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Simulated Diamond by the Yard Vermeil Necklace 18"
By Bijoux Num
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Simulated Diamond by the Yard Vermeil Necklace This beautiful 18k gold vermeil classic is
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil

Tiffany Co. Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Gold Necklace
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Signature Diamonds by the Yard Sprinkle necklace created by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Elegant
Category

1990s American More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Sparkling 3.20 Carat Diamonds by the Yard Gold Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
This dazzling Deco Style diamonds by the yard necklace crafted in solid 14k gold. It exposes at the
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. 18K Yellow Gold “By the Yard” Single Diamond Necklace 16 Inch Long
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
. with this “By the Yard” Diamond Necklace, featuring a single brilliant-cut diamond weighing
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Necklace
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Diamonds by the Yard Collection, is crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and features 12 round brilliant cut
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co Elsa Peretti 18K Yellow Gold Chain Diamond by the Yard Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Yellow Gold Chain Diamond by Yard Bracelet Gorgeous Tiffany & Co
Category

20th Century Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond by the Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18k yellow gold Diamonds: 23 round brilliant cut =1.32cttw Color: G
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Rose Gold Diamond by The Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom designed Material: 18k rose gold Diamonds: 8 round brilliant bezel set= .44cttw
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamond by The Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: The Estate Watch & Jewelry Material: 18k white gold Diamond: 55 round brilliant cuts
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds by the Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Material: 18k yellow gold Diamonds: 13 round brilliant cuts = .84cttw Color: G Clarity: VS
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamonds by The Yard Earrings
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 18k white gold Diamonds: 22 round brilliant cut = .30cttw Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamonds by The Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom designed Material: 18K white gold Diamonds: 10 round brilliant cut = .66cttw
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds by the Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom Material: 18K yellow gold Diamonds: 99 round brilliant cut = 2.26cttw Color: G
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamonds By The Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 18K white gold Diamond: 68 round brilliant cut = 9.69cttw Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds By The Yard Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 18K yellow gold Diamonds: 102 round brilliant cut = 2.26cttw
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond by the Yard Necklace in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
The 18K Rose Gold Diamond by the Yard Necklace is a stunning accessory that exudes elegance and
Category

2010s Hong Kong Modernist Chain Necklaces

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamond by the Yard Gold Necklace
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
the yard necklace. Crafted in 18k gold. Signed T & Co. Elsa Peretti. Current retail is $9 ,700 not
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Stunning White Gold 1.69 ct. Diamond by the Yard Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning diamond by the yard necklace features 1.69 carats of SI1-SI2 clarity and HI-color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamonds by the Yard Necklace #21579
Located in Washington Depot, CT
18 Karat White Gold Diamonds by the Yard Necklace- This elegant diamonds by the yard necklace
Category

20th Century Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Stud Earrings
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Bethesda, MD
From Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.'s, a pair a bezel set diamond by the yard diamond ear studs ♦
Category

2010s American Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

3.00 Carat Diamonds by The Yard Cuban Link Chain Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with seven bezel set Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Brilliant Cut 3 Diamond By The Yard Bracelet
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. Brilliant Cut 3 Diamond By The Yard Bracelet Brand- Tiffany & Co. Model- By The Yard
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Pendant Necklace
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Hicksville, NY
: Diamonds by the Yard Length: 17.5 inches Metal: 18 karat Yellow Gold Weight: 2.0 grams Hallmark: PERETTI
Category

2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Pendant Necklace
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
This 18k yellow gold necklace is lightweight and comfortable featuring apx. 1/3 of a carat bezel
Category

20th Century Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. 18ct Yellow Gold Diamond by the Yard Pendant
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
Tiffany & Co. 18ct Yellow Gold Diamond by the Yard Pendant Product Details Xupes Ref: J1524 Brand
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Alexander Diamonds by the Yard Necklace 18 Karat Rose Gold
By Alexander Beverly Hills
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Exquisite round brilliant diamonds by the yard modern necklace. By Alexander Beverly Hills. 7 round
Category

2010s American Modern Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

18 Karat White Gold Diamonds By The Yard Station Necklace
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Designer: custom design Material: 18K white gold Diamond: 15 round brilliant cut = 1.91cttw Color
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Diamond by the Yard Choker Yellow Gold Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond By The Yard Choker Necklace by Cartier. With 11 round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1980s French Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

2 Ct Trillion Yellow Diamond Diamond Halo Custom Pendant Diamonds by the Yard
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
VS-2 clarity 1.90 Carat total Diamond Weight 18K Yellow Gold 18 Inch Cable Chain
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K White Gold 2ctw Station Round Diamond by the Yard 16" Rolo Chain Necklace
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (44) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Bezel Set - I1-I2 Clarity - G-I
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Penny Privelle Emerald Cut Diamond Pendant Necklace Diamond by The Yard Chain
By Penny Preville
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Emerald cut diamond pendant necklace by designer Penny Preville fashioned in 18 karat white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Peretti 1.00 Carat Diamond Platinum Diamonds by The Yard Necklace
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Classic cable chain necklace in a Diamonds-by-the-Yard style with a lariat drop With bezel set
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Italian 18 Karat White Gold Diamond by the Yard Chain Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
This glamorous Italian chain necklace features a “Diamond by the Yard” dazzling design crafted in
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Elsa Peretti Diamond by the Yard Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
yard drop earrings. Crafted in 18k gold. Signed T Co. Elsa Peretti. Current retail is $3 ,900 not
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. 18 Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Single Diamond Bracelet
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
This bracelet by Tiffany & Co is from their Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard collection and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Modern Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. 18 Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard 3 Diamond Bracelet
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
This bracelet by Tiffany & Co is from their Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard collection and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Modern Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Diamonds By The Yard 18k For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact diamonds by the yard 18k you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 30 vintage editions and 262 modern creations to choose from as well. If you’re looking for a diamonds by the yard 18k 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. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic diamonds by the yard 18k over the years, but those made by Alexander of Beverly Hills, Tiffany Co. and Roman Malakov are often thought to be among the most beautiful. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes brilliant cut and oval cut alternatives. Finding a diamonds by the yard 18k for sale for women should be easy, but there are 74 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Diamonds By The Yard 18k?

On average, a diamonds by the yard 18k at 1stDibs sells for $4,225, while they’re typically $345 on the low end and $130,500 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Necklaces for You

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

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

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

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

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

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

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