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Art Nouveau Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Eagle Bust Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
cabochon eye and an old European cut diamond accent Tested as 14 karat gold Circa: 1905 Eagle measures
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Edwardian Diamond Platinum-Topped 18 Karat Yellow Gold Eagle Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as an eagle perched on a branch with spread wings. Dimensional and highly rendered details
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

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

Steven Battelle Ancient Greek Eagle Coin Diamonds Pendant 22k Gold
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
Cypress with five (1.7mm) Diamonds. This unusual coin from 450-400 BC depicts an Eagle flying to left with
Category

2010s Indonesian Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 22k Gold

Edwardian Eagle Pendant Necklace with Old Mine Cut Diamond Drop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edwardian era Eagle Pendant Necklace with Old Mine Cut Diamond Drop composed of 18k yellow gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Russian Demantoid and Diamond Double Headed Eagle Pin, circa 1890s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Russian Demantoid and Diamond Double Headed Eagle Pin, ca. 1890s A very striking Russian tie-pin
Category

Antique 1890s Russian Russian Empire Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Heart Cut Diamond Eagle’s Claw Charm Pendant
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a Victorian eagle’s claw pendant crafted in 18K gold. The piece features heart cut antique
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage Diamond Coin Medallion Necklace 1906 D Coronet Head Gold Half Eagle
Located in Torrance, CA
half eagle coin, set into the large round medallion pendant and surrounded with diamonds. The pendant
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Diamond and Ruby Majestic American Eagle holding a Snake Gold Vintage Pendant
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Diamond and Ruby Majestic American Eagle Holding a Snake Gold Pendant. Securely
Category

Late 20th Century Modernist Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Cartier Diamond Emerald and Turquoise White Gold Eagle Head Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
embellished with approximately 1.50 carats of diamonds. Pendant Dimensions: 1" x .88" Included Items
Category

Late 20th Century French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold

1987 American Eagle $10 Gold Coin in 18k Gold Diamond Halo Necklace
Located in Honolulu, HI
This necklace contains one $10 American Eagle gold coin with 1/4 ounce of pure gold. The coin is
Category

Late 20th Century American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Ancient Greek 2nd Century BC Ptolemeic Eagle Coin Diamonds 18K Gold Pendant
By Steven Battelle
Located in Soquel, CA
this ancient-inspired handmade 18K setting with four 1.8 mm VS1 diamonds as accents designed by Steven
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Classical Greek Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Detailed Textured Flying Eagle Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Round Brilliant Cut - Prong Set - G Color - VS2 Clarity
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Nouveau French Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Gold Eagle Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Antique Art Nouveau French Old Mine Cut Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Eagle Brooch. Featuring
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1927 American Eagle $20 Gold Coin in 14k Gold Diamond Ruby Bezel Pendant
Located in Honolulu, HI
This pendant contains one $20 American Eagle gold coin with 0.9675 ounce of pure gold. The coin is
Category

Late 20th Century American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold

1898 $20 Gold Eagle Corum Quartz Watch
By Corum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1898 $20 Gold Double Eagle Corum Quartz Watch Watch is keeping good time Case is 35mm Leather band
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold

1997 1 oz 50 Dollars American Eagle Coin Pendant 14K Solid Yellow Gold Diamond
Located in Greer, SC
Stunning Standing Lady Liberty (front) and American Eagle (back) coin, crafted in fine solid yellow
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat White and Yellow Gold Retro Eagle Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Wonderful retro ring in 14k white and yellow gold structrure. The head of the ring has an eagle
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Vintage Imperial Fabergé Era Gilt Sterling Silver Double Headed Eagle Cufflinks
By Fabergé
Located in New York, NY
from gilt sterling silver and beautifully adorned with the iconic Russian double-headed eagle, a symbol
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Renaissance Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Vintage USA American Bald Eagle Stars 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Clip Pin Badge
By Galt Bro. Jewelers
Located in Oakton, VA
Vintage USA American Bald Eagle Stars 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Clip Pin Badge Vintage/Estate
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-War Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Art Deco Diamond Set Gold Drop Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
with .20 carats of fine diamonds (H-I color, SI1-2 clarity). Striking style combined with hand
Category

Vintage 1920s French Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Deco Persian Turquoise and Diamond Earrings
Located in Litchfield, CT
turquoise and diamond HALLMARKS: French eagle head for 18k and goldsmiths' mark STOCK NUMBER: 22135
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Faberge Samorodok Sapphire Diamond Gold Cigarette Case
By Fabergé
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
double headed diamond eagle. The texture of the box is achieved by the difficult master technique
Category

Antique 1890s Russian Victorian Boxes and Cases

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold

French Diamonds Surround 18 Karat Yellow Gold Barbade Coin Pendant
Located in Poitiers, FR
Pendant in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Beautiful diamond pendant, it represents on
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Fred Paris Diamond 18 Karat Gold Solitaire Ring
By Fred Paris
Located in New York, NY
weighing approx. 0.53ct prong set with 6 eagle claws. The beautiful center diamond is shouldered by 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1930s French 1.41 Carat Diamond Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, and the French mark for 18k gold (eagle's head). This antique diamond cluster engagement ring is
Category

Vintage 1930s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat White Gold 1.66 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
/chakra with the combination of solitaire full-cut marquise and round diamonds in the eagle prong setting
Category

2010s Indian Modern Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique French Natural Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Cross Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
for 18k gold (eagle's head). This diamond and pearl cross necklace/pendant has been independently
Category

Antique 1880s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold

Vintage Van Cleef Arpels Diamond and White Shell Ring in Yellow Gold
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, England
hallmarked VCA, 18KT (for 18k gold), 0.14 (for diamond weight), French eagle head mark, with the serial
Category

20th Century European Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

John Hardy Legends Naga 0.27 Carat Pavé Diamond Earring Studs, EBP65011222DI
By John Hardy
Located in Carmel, IN
, Cobra and the Eagle. Sterling Silver 0.27ctw of Diamonds Legends Naga Collection by John Hardy Secure
Category

2010s Indonesian Stud Earrings

Materials

Sterling Silver

Arts Crafts Necklace 18 Karat, circa 1890s, French
Located in Litchfield, CT
diamonds HALLMARKS: French eagles head for 18k, rubbed maker's mark…..18k catch is marked with French
Category

Antique 1890s French Arts and Crafts Link Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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

Early 20th Century Russian Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Dramatic MAUBOUSSIN Eagle Diamond and Rock Crystal Brooch
By Mauboussin
Located in Southampton, NY
This large, dramatic Mauboussin, Paris eagle brooch features stylized feathers and an expressive
Category

1990s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Onyx, 18k Gold

Fantastic MCTEIGUE Diamond Eagle Pin
By McTeigue
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
gold eagle pin, consisting of round brilliant and and marquise cut diamonds having an approximate total
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Large Ruby Diamond Gold Eagle Brooch
Located in London, GB
A Large 18ct. Gold, Ruby & Diamond Eagle Brooch, French, realistically modelled, with finely
Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

MAPAMENOS Diamond Ruby Eagle Earrings Necklace Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Diamond and Ruby Eagle Earrings & Necklace Set By Mapamenos Circa 1975 Diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s Greek Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Zolotas Eagle s Head Diamond and Emerald Bracelet
By Zolotas
Located in Santa Fe, NM
18kt yellow gold handmade hinged bracelet with eagle's head motif. Set with round brilliant-cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Greek Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Enamel Diamond American Eagle Cufflinks
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
Extraordinary unique figural eagle enamel cufflinks made and signed by Tiffany&Co. Sapphire eyes
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co Ruby Diamond Gold Eagle Brooch Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Lambertville, NJ
18k yellow gold eagle brooch, crafted by Tiffany & Co, featuring ruby eyes and one diamond. Eagle
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18k Gold, Diamond and Ruby Eagle Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Beautifully textured 18k gold eagle brooch with a ruby eye and a diamond "caught" in it's mouth.
Category

American Brooches

Gold and Diamond French Belle Epoque Eagle Brooch
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
One very beautiful antique Brooch, made in France circa 1900. Made by Bourdier Janin. Hallmark for gold 18k: The Horse Head. The brooch has presence, it is a typical work of the Art ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Asprey Lapis Lazuli Eagles Head Diamond in Beak Tiepin
By Asprey International Limited
Located in London, GB
A Tiepin in the form of an Eagles head,with a single piece of fine coloured Lapis Lazuli,with a
Category

Vintage 1970s British Modernist More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Haume Diamond Ruby Sapphire Gold Freedom Eagle American Flag Lapel Pin
By Haume
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Na 18k yellow gold pin, crafted by Haume, depicting Freedom Eagle and American glad, set with
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Bald Eagle USA Ring Sterling Silver and Gold with Diamonds and Enamel Stambolian
By Stambolian
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Aged Silver & 18K Gold "God Bless America" Ring with Bald Eagle center surrounded by diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Paris 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Eagle Head Choker Style Necklace
By Chaumet
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Chaumet Paris 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Eagle Head Choker Style Necklace This one-of-a-kind
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Hematite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Carrera y Carrera Eagle Face Ring
By Carrera y Carrera
Located in Madrid, ES
eagle set with 12 brilliant cut diamonds totalling 0.10 carats. Size: Swiss 17, French 57, US 8
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Malachite "Eagle of Freedom" Necklace
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
diamond. Measures 16.5" in length. Wing span is eagle is 1.25". Signed VCA NY with stock numbers and gold
Materials

Diamond

Huge American Eagle Gold and Platinum Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular figural "American Eagle" clip brooch. Heavy gauge 18K yellow gold. The head and wing
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Classic Three-Stone Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, 2.20 Carat Center
By Concierge Diamonds Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
gold shank and eagle claw prongs, the center diamond is set slightly higher than the two side stones to
Category

2010s American Art Deco Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Corum Yellow Gold $20 Double Eagle Automatic Coin Wristwatch
By Corum
Located in Houston, TX
BRAND: Corum METAL: 18k Yellow Gold STYLE: $20 Double Eagle Coin MOVEMENT: Automatic CROWN
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

French "Negligee" Necklace with Diamonds
Located in Paris, FR
Antique 18kt gold and silver negligee (quality mark: head of eagle) with rose cut diamonds, which
Category

Early 20th Century French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Diamonds French Earrings, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
18kt gold antique french earrings (quality mark: head of eagle) set with old cut diamonds, which
Category

Vintage 1930s French Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

10 Carat Diamonds and 12 Carat Emeralds Necklace
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
18k (the eagle). The round diamonds are good quality, they weight between 0.08 to 0.15, 10 carats
Category

Vintage 1960s French Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Gold and 3.85 Carats Diamonds French Antique Earrings
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
18k: multiple hallmarks (eagle heads). The two principal diamond weights exactly 1.78 and 1.92 carats
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Belle Époque Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Vintage 18 Carat White Gold Diamond Paved Navette Ring
Located in Paris, FR
white diamonds. Set on 18 carat white gold (eagle's head hallmark). Diamonds colour : G/H Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1970s French Modern Engagement Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1.50 Carats Emerald and 1 Carat Diamonds French Vintage Ring
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
for 18k gold (the eagle head). The diamonds and emerald part is made in platinum i think, the hallmark
Category

Vintage 1960s French Cluster Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Rare Antique Fabergé Diamond Sapphire Gold Imperial Tie-Stick Pin Original Case
By Fabergé
Located in Redmond, WA
two rose cut diamonds, the eagle shown resting on an emerald cut sapphire framed by rose cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Russian Revival More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Retro Pearl 4.60 Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Marquise Cocktail Ring
Located in Paris, FR
by navette and round cut white diamonds. White gold, 18 carats 750 / 1000eme , Eagle's head hallmark
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k 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.