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Toliro Diamond Garnet Enamel Watch Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
14k yellow gold Toliro Jewelry Company vintage brooch featuring an enamel watch accented by .05cts
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, White Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Diamonds Rubies and Enamel Gold Watch Fob Pendant Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Mid-Century Diamonds Rubies and Enamel Gold Watch Fob Pendant set with with 24 old
Category

20th Century Modernist Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Cartier Paris Art Deco Diamond Natural Pearl Enamel Gold Watch Pendant Necklace
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
spectacular natural pearl, diamond, and 18 karat white gold chain, this watch pendant is designed to be
Category

Vintage 1910s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Victorian Enamel Diamond Emerald Ruby 18 Karat Gold Imperial Crown Pendant Watch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
enamel and exhibits no loss With a trefoil motif comprised of round cut emeralds weighing in total
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

French 18-Karat Gold, Enamel and Diamond-Set Watch Chatelaine, circa 1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
decorated throughout, blue enamel floral decorated diamond back, matching gold châtelaine, watch decorated
Category

Early 20th Century French Baroque Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique French 18-Karat Gold, Enamel Diamond-Set Watch Chatelaine, circa 1900
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
keys, champlevé enamel decorated throughout, blue enamel floral decorated diamond back, matching gold
Category

Early 20th Century French Baroque Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold, Enamel

Antique 18k Gold Old Cut Diamond Plojoux Geneve Enamel Watch Pendant and Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
yellow gold and features truly elegant and detailed hand painting portraits on both the pin and watch as
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel

Antique Swiss 18k Gold Enamel, Diamond Open-Faced Verge Watch, circa 1770
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
enamel and diamond-set, open face verge watch with chatelaine. Gilt-finished verge movement, chain fusée
Category

Antique 18th Century Swiss More Clocks

Materials

Gold, Enamel

A Pair of Platinum White Gold Diamond Enamel Cufflinks Set with a Watch
Located in New York, NY
A pair of platinum, white gold, diamond-set and enamel cufflinks set with a watch, Signed Lusina
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Cufflinks

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, White Gold

Antique Patek Philippe Ladies Platinum Gold Diamond Enamel Pendant Watch
By Patek Philippe
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in Geneva, Switzerland in 1910. This rare PATEK PHILIPPE 18K gold, platinum, diamond, gray
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Drop Necklaces

1940 s Tiffany Company Diamond Ruby Red Enamel 18KYG Pendant Brooch Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Boca Raton, FL
A luxurious 1940s Tiffany & Co. pendant brooch watch, crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and adorned
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian Swiss Diamond, Pearl, and Guilloché Enamel Watch Pendant Necklace
Located in Narberth, PA
stunning piece is comprised of an 18kt yellow gold enameled watch pendant which hangs from the center of a
Category

Antique 1890s Swiss Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. 1910 Gold Diamond and Enamel Lapel Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
) in diameter, with Cobalt Blue and White Enamel and is set with Old Mine and Rose cut Diamonds. A Gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Enamel

Antique Ladies Porcelain Dial Enamel Diamond Gold Watch Pendant
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A charming lever-set watch with a porcelain dial, heavily decorated with royal blue enamel and rose
Category

Antique 1890s Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Tiffany Co. Yellow Gold Diamond Enamel Lapel Pendant Pocket Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Victorian 18k yellow gold watch/pendant by Tiffany & Co, features black 1-12 hour
Category

Antique 19th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Serpenti Diamond Enamel Serpenti-Bracelet Watch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
pear-shaped diamond eyes. Playing with the mystery of the iconic Bulgari creature, the watch unveils as
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

French Enameled Diamond Set Ladies Cocktail Watch
Located in Firenze, IT
The circular dial with black Arabic numerals and blued steel hands, with rose-cut diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Nouveau Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Rare Cartier Panthere Yellow Gold, Diamond Set Silver Dial Enamel Watch
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
gold, featuring a fixed bezel set with 36 round brilliant cut diamonds, case set with blue enamel and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

Haas lady s yellow Gold diamond enamel pendant pocket watch
Located in Dallas, TX
Manual winding. 18k gold and enamel case (28mm diameter). Case back is engine turned blue enamel
Category

20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond Star Fob Watch, 18k Gold, Blue Enamel, Bow Brooch
Located in NEWARK, GB
enamel and Rose cut diamond fob watch. A rich 18kt yellow gold case with deep cobalt blue Guilloche
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

1900s Tiffany Co. Enamel Diamond Gold Pocket Watch Pendant
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
yellow gold, green enamel and accented with rose cut diamonds. The quality of enameling is outstanding
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pateck Co. 18kt Diamond, Pearl + Enamel Pocket Watch
Located in Narberth, PA
yellow gold, this stunning piece has a striking black and blue enamel pattern. The round pocket watch has
Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Late Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Tiffany Co. Gold Enamel Pocket Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, GB
A Tiffany & Co enamel and gold pocket watch, burgundy and white enamel depicting goddesses, with
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Late Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

PAUL DITTSHEIM 1905 Enameled Lady Pocket Watch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
no damage to the gold or the enamel. The 9 diamond are secured in their settings. This piece has been
Category

Antique Early 1900s Swiss Edwardian Pocket Watches

Materials

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

Omega Ladies Gold Platinum Diamond Pearl and Enamel Covered Bracelet Watch
By Omega
Located in Chicago, IL
17 Jewel manual Back wind Movement within an 18K Yellow Gold concealed case with Cobalt Blue Enamel
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Cartier Paris Belle Epoque Platinum Gold Enamel Pearl Diamond Pendant Watch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Cartier pendant pocket watch with diamonds, natural saltwater seed pearls, emerald
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Haas Neveux Yellow Gold Enamel and Diamond Set Porcelain Dial Lapel Watch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 very fine, Museum Quality Enamel and Gem set Lapel Watch by Haas Neveux. 18K Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1910s Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau Guilloche Enamel Diamond Demantoid Garnet 18 Karat Dragonfly Watch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique pocket watch features a highly rendered depiction of a dragonfly amongst cattail foliate
Category

Antique 1890s Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian Yellow Gold Black Enamel Louis Reymond Pocket Watch
Located in Birmingham, AL
This beautiful Louis Reymond Victorian pocket watch features an intricate black enamel design at
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss High Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier 18kt Yellow Gold Enamel and Diamond Lady’s Quartz Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Palm Beach, FL
, 14.4mm x 38mm 18k yellow gold case, framed by round-cut diamonds and double striped sections of black
Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Audemars Piguet Art Deco Platinum Gold Enamel and Gem Set Pendant Watch
By Audemars Piguet
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1920s Audemars Piguet Ladies Pendant Watch, 18K Yellow Gold Case with Platinum Top, the 2
Category

Vintage 1920s Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Onyx, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Ladies Platinum Gold Diamond Enamel Bracelet Manual Wind Wristwatch
Located in Firenze, IT
Art deco lady's gold, platinum, enamel and diamond bracelet watch of octagonal shape, guilloche
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold, Enamel

Cartier White Gold Diamond Set Panthere Blue Enamel Logo Dial Quartz Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A White Gold Panthere Ladies Wristwatch, sky blue enamel logo dial, a fixed white gold bezel set
Category

1990s Swiss Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

French Art Nouveau Watch Pendant
Located in New Orleans, LA
trumpets adorned with diamonds and brilliant pink and green enamel. Engraved "Ulysse Nardin Locle / Grand
Category

Antique 19th Century French Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Elgin Lady s White Gold and Enamel Art Deco Wristwatch
By Elgin
Located in New York, NY
This stunning watch features a 14k white gold rectangular case set with blue and black enamel Art
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold

Boucheron Art Deco Diamond Agate Silver Enamel Desk Clock
By Boucheron
Located in Greenwich, CT
the color of the finest chiffon and a handsome 18 karat gold with white and blue enamel inner bezel
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Diamond Ruby and Enamel Gold Masonic Pendant / Watch Fob
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.29Ct diamond, 0.20Ct ruby and enamel, 12k
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian Diamond Enamel and 14 Karat Gold Watch Key Pendant
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pocket watch key with a navette form top One side with blue enamel dot in a Celtic knot motif
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

18k Gold Pocket Watch. Antique Blue enamel rose cut diamonds. Fleur de Lis WORKS
Located in Port Charlotte, FL
Antique Pocket watch. 18k Yellow Gold Hunter case. Deep Blue enamel. Rose cut diamond set in a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique 18k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Enamel Pendant Watches Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight 16.9 grams. Totally is diamond 0.10 ct. Please contact for any
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Neuchtel 1780 Verge Fusee Pocket Watch with Enamel Portraits Pendant 18Kt Gold
Located in Miami, FL
gold. The diamonds and the enamel are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected
Category

Antique 1780s Swiss Baroque Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, ...

French Belle Époque Diamond Pearl Platinum and Enamel Pendant Watch Necklace
Located in New York, NY
A French Belle Epoque 18 karat gold, platinum, diamond, pearl and Paillet enamel pendant watch
Category

Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Magnificent Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold and Enamel Art Deco Pocket Watch
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
A magnificent Art Deco Cartier pocket watch, the circular rock crystal watch comprising an engine
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold

Gold Enamel and Diamonds Ladies Pocket Watch
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
18k yellow gold enamel and diamonds ladies pocket watch with its original brooch. French work.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

19th Century Enameled Gold Pocket Watch
Located in New York, NY
A late 19th century, 18k gold enameled watch, set with 4 small, rose cut diamonds.
Category

French Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Enamel and Diamond Butterfly Watch
Located in San Francisco, CA
Peacock colors rendered in shaded enamel and adorned with twinkling rose cut diamonds decorate the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

White Gold, Enamel, Pearl-Set Pendant Watch
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pendant watch designed as an oval shape in blue and green enamel with small diamond accents on one
Category

20th Century Swiss Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold

Tiffany Enamel Ladies Pendant Watch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Tiffany and Co. 18kt.yellow gold ladies pendant watch in bronze color guilloche enamel case with
Category

20th Century American Edwardian Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Exemplary Enamel Pendant Watch Necklace by Gubelin
By Gubelin
Located in San Francisco, CA
and diamond embellished watch is inset into a dainty, decorative platinum and rose cut diamond box
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Lady s Yellow Gold Diamond Black Enamel Panther Quartz Wristwatch
By Cartier
Located in Paris, IDF
with diamonds and black enamel. Width: 20 mm Quartz movement Circa 1980 Perfect condition, the
Category

Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rare Bulgari Enamel Serpenti Wristwatch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
has two marquee shaped diamond eyes and a forked gold tongue. At rest, his mouth opens slightly
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Wrist Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Patek Philippe 18kYG Enamel Pendant W With Repousse Outer Case
By Patek Philippe
Located in New York City, NY
Up for sale is a Patek Philippe& Co. Geneve, 18kYG enamel pendant watch with repousse outer case
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Art Nouveau Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Girard-Perregaux Platinum Gold Diamond and Enamel Watch
By Girard Perregaux
Located in New York, NY
white enamel tracery. On a gorgeous enamel bail, set with rose diamonds. The watch is 1 1/8" in
Category

Vintage 1910s French More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

18 Karat Vintage Diamond Watch Bangle Yellow Gold Blue Enamel
Located in Boca Raton, FL
sparkling Star Shape over a Blue Enamel dome. The Dome opens to a watch (currently not working). The
Category

20th Century Unknown Edwardian Retro Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Fabergé Diamond Gold Enamel Wild Pansy Flower Pendant Lovers Watch
By Fabergé
Located in Redmond, WA
An antique Fabergé diamond-set gold Swiss pendant lovers' remembrance watch painted in pictorial
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Edwardian More Objets d Art and Vertu

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Very Fine 18 Karat Gold Diamond, Enamel Verge Pocket Watch
Located in Carlisle, GB
Very Fine Small 18k Gold, Diamonds Enamel Verge Pocket Watch By “Ballon A Paris”. This watch is in
Category

Antique 1760s French Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Enamel

1900s Enamel Gold Pocket Watch
Located in Berlin, DE
Enamel and gold pocket watch, around 1900. The blue enamel dial with applied 12 hours Roman
Category

Early 20th Century Pocket Watches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

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Gold Enamel Diamond Watch For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the gold enamel diamond watch you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Enamel. 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 enamel diamond watch among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 18th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a gold enamel diamond watch has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Aaron Basha, Cartier and Tiffany Co. are consistently popular. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also rose cut and brilliant cut versions for sale. When shopping for a gold enamel diamond watch, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Gold Enamel Diamond Watch?

On average, a gold enamel diamond watch at 1stDibs sells for $4,900, while they’re typically $425 on the low end and $246,840 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.