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Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Tanzanite Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two blue oval tanzanite gemstones
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Citrine Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two yellow/orange oval citrine
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Amethyst Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two purple oval amethyst gemstones
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Peridot Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two green oval peridot gemstones
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Rhodolite Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two red oval rhodolite garnet
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

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

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold (Rhodium Finish) Black Diamond Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold (black rhodium finish), an emerald-cut black diamond is joined by two black oval
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Smoky Quartz Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two brown oval smoky quartz
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and Mystic Topaz Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two rainbow oval mystic topaz
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold

Drew Pietrafesa White Gold Diamond and London Blue Topaz Snake Ring
Located in Hopewell Junction, NY
in 18K white gold, a VS quality emerald-cut diamond is joined by two blue oval London topaz gemstones
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Gold, Sterling Silver, Sapphire Diamond Snake Choker Necklace
By Azza Fahmy
Located in London, GB
18 Karat Gold, Sterling Silver, Sapphire & Diamond Snake Choker Necklace. Much like a snake sheds
Category

2010s Egyptian Egyptian Revival Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Sterling Silver, ...

Rosa Van Parys Coral snake with white black Diamonds, Rubies yellow Gold ring
Located in Westlake Village, CA
Coral snake shaped statement ring in 18 Karat yellow, white and black Gold with stripes of 0.92
Category

2010s American Contemporary More Rings

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Multi Gem-Set Gold Snake Bangle by Demner
Located in New York, NY
Emeralds, the head and tail decorated with brilliant-cut diamonds, the head set with a marquise-shaped Ruby
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Cuff Bracelets

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Revival Gold Snake Stud Earrings Ruby Sapphire Rose Gold Serpent Studs
Located in Rottedam, NL
A beautiful antique revival pair of rose gold snake stud earrings! These unique statement earrings
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Dutch Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Sylvie Corbelin, One of a Kind Snake Gold and Vermeil Pendant
By Sylvie Corbelin
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
One of a kind snake pendant in 18K Gold and Vermeil. The snake is doube sided and each side is set
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary More Jewelry

Materials

Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl,...

Emily Weld Collins Ouroboros Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
ouroboros is crafted out of 18k yellow gold, and inlaid with a marquise diamond and piercing emerald eyes
Category

2010s American Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18 Karat Gold, Sterling Silver and Green Amethyst Snake Double Finger Ring
By Azza Fahmy
Located in London, GB
18 Karat Gold, Sterling Silver, Green Amethyst, Pearl, Diamond and Emerald Statement Snake Double
Category

2010s Egyptian Contemporary Cocktail Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver...

Multi Gem Stone and Color Enamel Flexible Snake Bracelet
Located in Miami, FL
Set in 18k Yellow Gold, this magnificent Snake bracelet features round Brilliant Diamonds (2 ct, 1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary More Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Emerald Diamond Gold Snake Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold snake brooch, set with six oval (6.1 x 4.1mm to 7.1 x 5.4mm) and one emerald cut
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Vintage Diamond Emerald Gold Snake Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
This solid 18K gold ring is designed as a stylized coiled snake with finely hand-engraved skin
Category

20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Asprey Emerald Diamond Gold Snake Ring
By Asprey International Limited
Located in Southampton, PA
the intriguing form of an 18K yellow gold snake embellished with 0.60ct of glittering diamonds at the
Category

Late 20th Century British More Rings

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Emerald Snake Gold Necklace
Located in Miami, FL
This exotic diamond Snake style Center is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold and is accented with
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lalaounis Emerald Diamond Gold Water-Snakes Set
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
A peculiar set comprising earclips and ring, with emeralds and diamonds, representing water snakes
Category

Vintage 1970s Greek Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Snake Necklace
Located in London, GB
A Victorian 15ct gold snake necklace, set with cabochon emeralds and diamonds, with cabochon ruby
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 15k Gold

Movado Gold Diamond Emerald Bracelet Snake Wristwatch
By Movado
Located in New York, NY
A One of A Kind Two-Color Gold, Diamond and Emeralds Serpent Bracelet-Watch by Movado, circa 1970.
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Retro Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Diamond Ruby Emerald Gold Coiled Snake Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
cabochon rubies creating a pattern on the snake’s body. Two emeralds are used as the snake’s eyes for a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold

Victorian Sapphire Emerald Diamond Gold Snake bracelet
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century gold bracelet modeled as a snake, four coil woven design, with a cushion-cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French More Bracelets

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Important Emerald Sapphire Diamond Gold Snake Set
Located in New York, NY
cabochon emeralds, sapphires and diamonds. Italy, circa 1980.
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Emerald Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Snake Ring
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Emerald Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Snake Ring A sleek and stylish ring featuring fine gems set in 18k
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Yellow and Cognac Diamond Emerald Gold Snake Ring
Located in Poitiers, FR
Ring in 18 carat white gold, eagle head hallmark. Featuring a coiled snake, this ring is set over
Category

20th Century French Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18...

Emerald Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Snake Bangle Bracelet
Located in Miami, FL
18k yellow gold snake bangle featuring a pear shape emerald weighing approximately 2cts accented by
Category

20th Century American Cuff Bracelets

Materials

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

1960s Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Snake Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
hallmarked to the interior with the 18k gold fineness mark -750-. This vintage emerald and diamond snake
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Emerald, Diamond and Gold Snake Ring
Located in Banbury, GB
This Victorian 14k gold snake ring is such a quality piece. The engraving is so detailed, you can
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Three-Stone Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Emerald Snake Ring
Located in Lexington, KY
This beautiful mid-century modern snake ring is made in 18k yellow gold with diamond and emerald
Category

Mid-20th Century Engagement Rings

Materials

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

Victorian Emerald Ruby Diamond Silver Gold Snake Bracelet
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
bracelet looks almost real when laid out lengthwise. Made in 18k yellow gold, 28 rose cut diamonds in a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Link Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Emerald Sapphire Faceted Diamonds Gold Coiled Snake Ring
Located in Nantucket, MA
18K gold coiled snake ring with faceted diamonds, pear-shaped emerald third eye and faceted blue
Category

Late 20th Century Band Rings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond and Emerald 14K Gold Snake Ring
Located in Venice, CA
are represented with sparkling Old Mine Cut diamonds. The body of the snake spirals around the finger
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Enamel, Diamond, Emerald Snake Bracelet 14K
Located in North Hollywood, CA
ruby eyes, two rubies on the side and a Diamond head. In addition there are 7 seven Emeralds from the
Category

Vintage 1980s American Modern Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Enamel

Emerald and Diamond Snake Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
An elegant yellow gold coiled snake ring set with an oval cabochon emerald in the head and 41 pave
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Turquoise Emerald Diamond Ruby Gold Dragon Snake Bangle Bracelet
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Turquoise Diamond Dragon Snake Bangle Bracelet. With 6x Emeralds, 35x Rubies, 21x
Category

Vintage 1950s Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Diamond and Emerald Snake Pendant Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
Diamonds and Emeralds in a Snake Pendant Necklace. Very chic!
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Snake Bangle Bracelet Emerald Diamond
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stylized snake bracelet made of 14 karat (tested) yellow gold and featuring a 0.60-carat pear-shape
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Bangles

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K Gold Coil Snake Ring with Emeralds and Diamonds
Located in Nantucket, MA
An amazing 18K gold coiled snake ring with rounded, faceted emeralds around the band and hand
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Diamond and Emerald 18 Karat White Gold Snake Bangle
Located in Miami, FL
Feast your senses on this superbly crafted 18k white gold snake bangle adorned with round brilliant
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Bangles

Materials

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

Snake Ring 18K Yellow Gold w Diamonds and Center Emerald
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Snake Ring 18K Yellow Gold w Diamonds and Center Emerald
Category

Vintage 1970s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Large Silver Top Gold Diamond Emerald Set Snake Ring
Located in Chicago, IL
Silver Topped and Yellow Gold Snake Ring, measuring 1 3/4 inches in length from tip of the tail to
Category

1990s Unknown Victorian More Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver

Emerald and Diamond Gold Snake Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold coiled snake bracelet with a diamond and emerald head.
Category

Unknown More Bracelets

Snake Ring 18K Yellow White Gold w Diamonds and Emeralds
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18K Yellow and White Gold flexible snake ring containing 75 diamonds, weighing 2.25 carats
Category

Vintage 1960s Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Yellow Gold Double Snake Ring with Diamond and Emerald Accents
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This estate ring from the Mid-1900's features an 18 karat yellow gold double snake with diamond and
Category

Mid-20th Century Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Emerald Eyed Diamond Snake Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
prong set by hand. Thoughtful jeweling sets the diamonds in silver while gold frames the emeralds. The
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 15k Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold Diamond Emerald Engraved Triple Snake Ring
Located in New York, NY
A solid 18k gold Victorian snake ring set with two old mine cut diamonds and one emerald, circa
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Late Victorian Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Snake 18k Gold Ring With Emeralds Diamonds
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Introducing the exquisite Snake 18k Gold Ring, a stunning embodiment of elegance and sophistication
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

18k Gold

Amethyst Corals Diamond Emerald Snake Gold and Silver Ring
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
, ITEMS AT AUCTIONS AND ONGOING PROMOTIONS. Snake ring in 9Kt gold and silver adorned with a central
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Retro Fashion Rings

Materials

Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Silver

1919 Antique Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Snake Cocktail Ring
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
maker's mark 'JHW' (John Henry Wynn). This yellow gold snake ring is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1910s English Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian 14 Karat Gold Diamond and Emerald Enameled Snake Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This stylish unique Victorian enamel, diamond, and ruby snake bangle bracelet is crafted in 14
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Bangles

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold

White Diamond Round Emerald Cut Snake Ring in 14K White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful 1.42 ct. white diamond rounds and emerald cuts (rounds: 0.66 ct. and emerald cuts: 0.76
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

White Diamond, White Gold

Textured 14 Karat Yellow Gold Snake Ring Diamond Emerald Accent
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This fantastic vintage snake ring is crafted in 14 karat yellow gold and features a single diamond
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Amethyst Moonstone Diamond Emerald 14K Gold Antique Snake Cufflinks
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as hinged bar style cufflinks featuring coiled snake terminals Larger terminals depict two
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Cufflinks

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Moonstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum

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Gold Emerald Diamond Snake For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact gold emerald diamond snake you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. You’re likely to find the perfect gold emerald diamond snake among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Creating a gold emerald diamond snake has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by J DAUPHIN, Boucheron and David Webb 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 emerald cut alternatives. When shopping for a gold emerald diamond snake, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Gold Emerald Diamond Snake?

On average, a gold emerald diamond snake at 1stDibs sells for $5,533, while they’re typically $490 on the low end and $221,082 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.