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18 Karat White Gold 5.82 Carat Ruby Cluster Cocktail Statement Ring
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
exemplary. The eagle prong set marquise solitaire diamonds surrounding the ruby are clustered with an
Category

2010s Indian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

French Retro 1970s White Sapphire 18 Karat White Gold Solitaire Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 karat white gold, eagle head hallmark. A retro diamond ring, it forms a dome and holds a
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Engagement Rings

Materials

Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Belle Époque Carved Yellow Gold Eagle Brooch
Located in London, GB
motifs and a centrally carved eagle surmounting a single claw-set old brilliant-cut diamond estimated to
Category

Antique 1890s French Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

A Fabergé Ruby, Enamel, Gold And Diamond Brooch
By Fabergé
Located in London, GB
Imperial eagles motif in rose-cut diamonds on silver on an white coloured guilloché enamel background, with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Russian Brooches

Materials

Gold, Enamel

2.05 Carat Eagle Diamond Ring, Ruby in Oxidized Sterling Silver, 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
2.05 ct Champagne Diamond Eagle Ring with 0.02 ct Ruby Eye set in Oxidized Sterling Silver with
Category

2010s Indian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Ruby and Diamond Eagles Head Ring
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in London, GB
Set with a pear shaped Ruby eye and holding a Diamond in its beak and with raised feathers on the
Category

Vintage 1970s Spanish More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Carved Jade Diamond Eagle Pin GIA Certified
Located in La Jolla, CA
Diamond Jade Eagle Carved Pin. Platinum pin set with a carved jade eagle with round brilliant cut
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Jade

1920s Platinum, Gold, and Diamond Eagle Ring
Located in San Francisco, CA
"Free as a Bird" These platinum eagles hold a .70ct antique European diamond- bezel set. The
Category

Early 20th Century American Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Yellow 18 Karat Gold Eagle Brooch and Diamonds
Located in SEVILLA, ES
18k yellow gold eagle brooch. It has diamonds on the wings and a 0.15 carat old cut diamond on the
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

McTeigue Ruby Diamond Gold Platinum Carved Eagle Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Magnificent Platinum and 18 karat yellow gold vintage "screaming eagle" pin with full cut diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Paolo Piovan Diamonds Eagle Ring in rose gold
By Paolo Piovan Gioielli
Located in Padova, Padova
"Ring in 18kt pink gold which sets Diamonds for ct. 0,20. Weight of the jewel: gr. 27,80
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Bulgari, An Onyx, Citrine, Diamond and Gold Eagle Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
Bulgari: An Onyx, Citrine, Diamond and Gold Eagle Brooch, decorated with calibrated citrine, onyx
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, Gold

CARRERA Y CARRERA Yellow Gold Eagle Ring with Diamonds
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an 18k yellow gold ring with two eagles engaged in nuzzling, or perhaps battle. It
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Enamel, Rubi and Diamond Eagle Brooch
Located in SEVILLA, ES
Eagle brooch made in 18 k yellow gold with black and white enamel. The eye is a ruby ​​and has two
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond

Eagle Ray Pendant, 18k White Gold, Blue Sapphires, Black and White Diamonds
Located in Hamburg, DE
Eagle Ray Pendant "Eddie" from our Waterworld Collection. -Handmade of 18K White Gold -Handset with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Black Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

18k Gold Eagle Ring with 3 Row Baguette Diamond Head and Pave Diamond Side Cheek
Located in Encino, CA
One-of-a-kind, hand-crafted gold eagle ring. Made in 18k yellow gold with a three row baguette
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Grey and Brown Diamonds Eagle Cocktail Ring in 18 Karat Rose Gold
Located in Valenza, IT
Magnificent Eagle ring in 18 kt rose gold gr 19,50, hand crafted in Italy by ours skilled craftsmen
Category

2010s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Brown Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Austrian 14 Karat Brushed Yellow Gold Diamond Art Nouveau Eagle Stickpin
Located in Munich, DE
in 14 karat brushed yellow gold. The craftmanship of the powerful spread eagle with open wings is
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18k Gold Brooch: Eagle Holding a Diamond in Its Beak, Napoléon III
Located in VERSAILLES, FR
Superbe broche en or 18 carats représentant un aigle aux ailes déployées, il tient dans son bec un diamant mobile. Ce diamant est serti par 8 griffes sur une corbeille ajourée en or ...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Charmed by a Cause Eagle Cufflinks Sterling Silver
By Charmed by a Cause
Located in Montclair, NJ
White Diamond Eyes. Eagle Measures 3/4" x 3/4". Claw back. Also available in 14K Yellow Gold.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver

Charmed by a Cause Eagle Cufflinks Yellow Gold
By Charmed by a Cause
Located in Montclair, NJ
detailed Eagle Cufflinks are crafted from Recycled 14K Yellow Gold. Two 4pt white diamonds for eyes
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cufflinks

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

The American Bald Eagle Herbert Rosenthal Bicentennial Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bellevue, WA
The American Bald Eagle brooch was crafted by Herbert Rosenthal to celebrate the US Bicentennial in
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

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

Frederic Sage 56.63 Carat Mammoth Bone "Eagle" Pendant/ Brooche
By Frederic Sage
Located in New York, NY
18K WG BONE EAGLE PENDANT/PIN WITH DIAMONDS, BLUE SAPPHIRE AND RUBIES BONE 56.63 CTS, 81 DIA 1.10
Category

2010s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Other, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels, A Lapis Lazuli and Gold Eagle Pendant Necklace
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels: A Lapis Lazuli, Gold and Diamond Pendant Necklace, designed as a stylized
Category

Vintage 1970s French More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold

Corum 18k Yellow Gold Double Eagle Quartz Watch w/ Original Band
By Corum
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Corum 18k Yellow Gold Double Eagle Quartz Watch w/ Original Band Reference #364614 Movement
Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

3 Carats Diamonds French Antique Earrings
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
gold 18k(eagle head hallmarks). The diamonds weights 1.50 Carats per earrings approximately (8*0.15
Category

Antique 1890s French Belle Époque Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond

Gold and 1.80 Carat Diamonds Band Ring
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
1.80 carats of quality diamonds. Hallmarks: 750 and eagle head. The diamonds quality is G color and Vs
Category

2010s French Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Gold and 1.67 Carat Diamond Art Deco Pendant
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
quality round transitional cut diamond. Hallmark for gold 18k: the eagle head. The principal diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Two Circles Diamonds Pave 18K White Gold Necklace
By Les Pierres de Julie
Located in Paris, FR
/ 1000th (eagle’s head hallmark) Diamonds weight 0.31 carats. Diameter 17 mm Length: 42 cm
Category

2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Gold and Diamonds French Antique Belle Epoque Ring
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
for gold(eagle head). The diamonds weights approximately 1.50 carats total, the central one 0.50
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

19th Century Gold and 5 Carats Diamonds Pendant
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
. Hallmark for gold: the eagle head. The diamonds weights 5 carats approximately. Dimensions: 6 cm height and
Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

3.20 Carat Diamonds and 2 Carat Colombian Emerald French Ring
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
(the eagle head). The diamonds cut are round brilliant cut and Princess cut. they are very good quality
Category

Vintage 1980s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Elegant French Belle Epoque Platinum Diamond Pearl Necklace So-Called Négligé
Located in Antwerp, BE
eagle's head Material: platinum Diamond(s): One old European cut diamond with an estimated weight of
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Platinum

Cascade Brooch, Firework Cluster Motifs, 18k Gold Diamonds, French, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
diamonds. French eagle head marks to the pin and body. Measures 50mm in width x 60mm in height. 1950's
Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

2 CTW. Natural Sapphire Emerald Cut Center Stone with Emerald Cut Side Diamonds
Located in Los Angeles, CA
by 0.50 Ct. Tw. side diamonds in a eagle claw prong setting. Handcrafted in 14k White Gold, Yellow
Category

2010s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

8x6mm Natural Ruby Emerald Cut with 1/2 Carat Emerald Cut Side Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ct. Tw. side diamonds in a eagle claw prong setting. Handcrafted in 14K White Gold, Yellow Gold, or
Category

2010s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Natural Green Emerald Cut 8x6mm Three Stone 1/2 Carat Emerald Cut Side Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
center stone, surrounded by 0.50 Ct. Tw. side diamonds in a eagle claw prong setting.. Handcrafted in
Category

2010s Three-Stone Rings

Materials

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

Cartier Egyptian Revival Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Cartier Egyptian Revival Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. Depiction of an Egyptian Eagle with feathers
Category

1990s Unknown Egyptian Revival Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Pendant, Buddha, Malachite, Enamel, Natural Pearl Tassel on Long Chain
Located in Munich, DE
with platinum eyelets, is detachable and has delicate Diamond clasps. "French Eagle" hallmark
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Malachite, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver

Herbert Rosenthal American Bald Eagle Diamond Gold Platinum Brooch Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Cape May, NJ
Herbert Rosenthal American Bald Eagle 18K Gold Platinum Diamond Brooch Pin. The piece is in
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Estate 24KT Gold American Eagle Coin Diamond Ring 14KT Gold Setting
Located in New York, NY
Estate American eagle diamond ring. containing one 1/10 ounce .999 24KT Gold 2003 American Eagle
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Diamond Gold Eagle Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
18k yellow gold eagle brooch. Metal weight: 27.36 grams This brooch is accompanied by a
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond Eagle Gold Stickpin
Located in London, England
A fabulous diamond set eagle design stickpin. The white and yellow gold stick pin depicts an eagle
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond

Antique Rose Diamond Eagle Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Antique eagle lapel brooch set in platinum topped gold with rose diamonds and enamel. Small but
Category

Early 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

European Diamond Ruby Platinum Eagle Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
aesthetic beauty depicts the anatomically accurate sculpture of an eagle with open wings, perched atop a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Vintage 1960s Diamond Yellow Gold Eagle Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
mark for 18k gold - 750. This vintage gold eagle pendant is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18KT Yellow Gold Vintage Eagle Wrap Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
detailed eagle design that wraps elegantly around the finger. The eagle’s eye and beak are accented with
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Marquis of Anglesey Crest Diamond Eagle Brooch
Located in New York, NY
similarly designed eagles are depicted on the Anglesey Arms. It measures a impressive: 2.75 inches wide
Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Carved Citrine Eagle Pendant with Diamonds and Onyx
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A three-dimensional eagle carved of citrine stands proudly in his frame of diamonds and onyx. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lapis-lazuli Diamond Eagle Dress Set, Michael Kanners
By Michael Kanners
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
The finest lapis-lazuli is carved by an expert artisan in Germany and then mounted with diamonds
Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau Diamond "Eagle over Mountains" Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Substantial pendant, depicting the majestic eagle, soaring over the mountains, with a diamond sun
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Eagle Horus Collar Necklace
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Absolutely enchanting! Behold the elegance of this 1980s Cartier Horus Eagle Collar, a masterpiece
Category

Vintage 1980s French Modern Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Enigma Gemstone Diamond Multi Gold Eagle Pendant Necklace
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
bold eagle motif comprised of ~5.50ct of diamonds and ~7ct of rubies on an ~4.80ct black sapphire
Category

20th Century Necklace Enhancers

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold

McTeigue Diamond Eagle Pendant Necklace 18K Gold Platinum ~2ctw
By McTeigue
Located in Fairfield, CT
McTeigue Diamond Eagle Pendant Necklace 18K Gold Platinum ~2ctw This pendant necklace features a
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

1880s Victorian Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold Eagle Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
the form of an eagle's head. A single 0.34 Ct Old European round cut diamond is tension set to the
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Gold Eagle Stickpin
Located in Baltimore, MD
Victorian flying eagle stickpin in 18K yellow gold and set with a diamond. It will highlight a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1890 Victorian Diamond Ruby 14 Karat Gold Eagle Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Band ring is highly rendered as an eagle with spread texturous wings Its eye is a bright green
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Band Rings

Materials

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

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Eagle Diamond For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact eagle diamond you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of gold, yellow gold and 18k gold, this item was constructed with great care. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Making the right choice when shopping for an eagle diamond may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but .5 carat and 1 carat versions are of considerable interest. Creating an eagle diamond has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Carrera y Carrera, Gems Paradise and Unbranded are consistently popular. 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 old european cut alternatives. If you’re browsing our inventory for an eagle diamond, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a Eagle Diamond?

Prices for an eagle diamond can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $1 and can go as high as $825,839, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,672.

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.