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Platinum Cross Pendant with Diamonds, Italy Vintage
Located in Milano, MI
Refined cross-shaped pendant crafted in platinum, hallmarked 950 Vicenza. A jewel of understated
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Modern Italian "Chapiteau" Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Modern Italian "Chapiteau" Gold Cross with Diamonds is a contemporary and stylish piece of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Italian Cross 18 karat Yellow Gold with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
This elegant Italian Cross Pendant is crafted in luxurious 18 karat yellow gold and adorned with
Category

20th Century Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Italian 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Vintage Italian 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds is a beautiful and timeless piece of
Category

20th Century Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Italian Modern 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Italian Modern 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds is a marvelous piece of jewelry that exudes
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Italian Yellow and White Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
This Italian Cross Pendant is a beautifully crafted piece that exudes sophistication and subtle
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Italian Yellow and White Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Italian Yellow and White Gold Cross with Diamonds featuring relief work is a stunning piece of
Category

20th Century Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Large Italian Dancing Diamonds Gold Cross Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A large gold cross featuring 18 round brilliant-cut diamonds which are bezel-set in slides that
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

18k White Gold "Italian" Open Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: Pre-Owned (Great condition) Metal: 18k White Gold Stones: 175Diamonds Color G, clarity VS Weight: 11 Gr Length: 18 inch snake chain Pendant dimensions: 47 mm x 70mm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Italian Two Faced Yellow Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
Large bail : 0.7cm Chain not included This exquisite vintage Italian two-faced cross pendant is a
Category

20th Century Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Italian Modern Design 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
stylized and modern shape. The cross is decorated with 20 diamonds for a total of 0.10ct which gives it
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Italian Yellow Gold Cross with Diamonds, Sapphires and Rubies
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Italian Yellow Gold Cross with Diamonds, Sapphires, and Rubies is a breathtaking piece of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Italian 18k Gold Cross Ring Natural Diamond Oltremare Gioielli Made in Italy
Located in Camisano Vicentino, VI
Discover the epitome of elegance with our Italian Gold Cross Ring featuring dazzling natural
Category

2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Yellow Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully handcrafted Diamond Cross Pendant, features 11 Asher Cut Fancy Yellow Diamonds and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Italian White Gold Cross Necklace with Diamonds by Four Line
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Italian White Gold Cross Necklace with Diamonds by Four Line is an exquisite piece that
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Cross Necklace Cross Pendant 18K Gold by Di Modolo
By Di Modolo
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Diamond Cross Necklace Cross Pendant 18K Gold by Di Modolo This rare authentic Di Modolo Cross
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Pave Channel Criss-Cross "X" Yellow Gold Italian Bangle Cuff Bracelet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
white diamonds in a creation by Italian jewelry designer, Antonini. Two heavy, rounded bands criss-cross
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cuff Bracelets

Materials

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

Diamond Gold Cross Shape Pendant
Located in Firenze, IT
Designed as a cross set throughout with eleven round-cut diamonds to a 18Kt white gold venetian
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

18K Yellow Gold 0.80ct Diamond (G/VS) Italian Vintage Cross / Crucifix Pendant
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
18K Yellow Gold Vintage Cross / Crucifix Pendant, (stamped 750 to the reverse) set with 8 round
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Large 3" Italian 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Bow, Crossed Ribbon Brooch Pin
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
This beautiful 18k yellow gold diamond bow brooch showcases the beauty of fine materials and
Category

1990s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Diamond White Gold 750 Cross Pendant
Located in Lucerne, CH
Gorgeous white gold 750 cross pendant carefully set with 88 brilliant cut diamonds totaling approx
Category

Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond White Gold 750 Cross Pendant
Diamond White Gold 750 Cross Pendant
$2,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Citrine and Diamond Criss Cross Ring
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful 12 Stone cross over ring intersected by cross over full cut and clean cut Diamond bands
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Romantic Dome Rings

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vitolo 18 Karat Gold Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: Yellow Diamonds 0.07 ctw , White Diamonds 0.24 ctw Cross: 19 x 19 mm Total Length: 27 mm *Chain not
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

White Diamond Cross Set in 18k White Gold Handmade in our Italian Workshop
By Annellino Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
grandmother, third generation Italian Gabriella, fell in love with a beautiful diamond cross - a staple piece
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vitolo 18 Karat Gold Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: Yellow Diamonds 0.15 ctw / Diamonds 0.50 ctw Cross: 19 x 24 mm Total Length: 32 mm *Chain not included.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vitolo 18 Karat Gold Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
: Diamonds 0.60 ctw Cross: 19 x 24 mm Total Length: 32 mm * Chain not included.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Coral, Onyx, Diamonds, Platinum Cross Pendant Necklace.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing cross pendant necklace in platinum structure mounted with a central onyx with a diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Modern 18 karat Yellow Gold Diamond Cross
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Modern 18 karat Yellow Gold Diamond Cross is a contemporary and sophisticated religious pendant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18ct Gold Diamond Cross 18ct Gold 16" Chain
Located in London, GB
18ct 750 Gold Necklace Consisting of 18ct 750 Gold Cross with Genuine Diamonds x 4 with an 18ct
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

18Kt Yellow Gold and Diamonds Cross Ring
Located in Cattolica, IT
A solid 18 Kt gold and diamonds ring. The gold weighs gr 15.56 The cross design is enhanced by a
Category

Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Verdura Garnet and Diamond "Maltese Cross" Brooch
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
Verdura garnet and diamond "maltese cross" brooch in 18k yellow gold. The brooch is set with 30
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Vitolo 18 Karat White Gold Diamond Cross Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
a kind jewelry with excellent gemstones in a truly old world Italian craftmanship. Diamonds: 0.38
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18K White Gold Cross Drop Earrings with Diamonds
Located in Bergamo, BG
drop earrings with cross motif Brilliant-cut natural diamonds, totaling 1.24 carats Elegant and modern
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds 14 Karat Yellow Gold Drop Cross Earrings
Located in Marcianise, IT
Elegant and rare antique-style cross earrings, crafted in 14-karat yellow gold and 800 thousandths
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Cross Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Pendant Necklace
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
wear and special occasions. Each point of the cross is enhanced by a diamond set using a technique
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Cross Pendant Necklace.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Elegant cross pendant necklace in 18 kt white gold structure studded with diamonds. The inner cross
Category

2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Cross Pendant Necklace.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Elegant cross pendant necklace in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with diamonds. The chain is
Category

2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Beautiful cross pendant in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with diamonds. The chain is included
Category

2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds, 9 Karat White Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing cross pendant necklace in 9 karat white gold structure mounted with diamonds. The chain is
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 18 karat white gold pendant cross mounted with diamonds made by our
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cross Diamonds 9 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, IT
This exquisite 1940s cross pendant, crafted in 9-karat yellow gold, carries the unchanged luster of
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold

18KT WG Fancy Yellow, Pink White Diamond Cross Pendant with Diamond Chain
By LA REINA
Located in New York, NY
This uniquely designed cross centers a fancy yellow radiant cut diamond. Natural pink diamonds in
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Wh...

Art Deco 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The "Art Deco 18kt White Gold Cross with Diamonds" is a fine piece of jewelry that combines
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K White Gold Cross Pendant with Natural White Diamonds
Located in Bergamo, BG
An elegant cross pendant crafted in 18K white gold, featuring a sleek design adorned with natural
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Necklace Enhancers

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

ITALIAN 3 carat total Diamond Criss Cross Half Hoop Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
ITALIAN 3.00 Carat Total Weight Diamond Criss Cross Half Hoop Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold Diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pasquale Bruni Diamond Peridot White Gold Cross Necklace
By Pasqual Bruni
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond And Peridot Cross Pendant Necklace by Pasquale Bruni. With 15 round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold

18K White Gold Large Soft Cross Pendant with Diamonds
Located in Bergamo, BG
jewelry collection. Key Features 18K white gold soft cross pendant Round brilliant-cut diamonds, 3.37
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Cross Pendant.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
by Italian master goldsmiths and it is in perfect conditions. Diamonds 0.19 ct Rubies 1.03 Total
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Diamond Cross Pendant in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
Crafted in 18k white gold, this impressive diamond cross is set with 11 brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

1920s Vintage Platinum Cross Pendant Necklace with 2ct Diamonds
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage platinum cross necklace pendant with graduated diamonds for a total of 2 carats / Italy
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Small and simple cross shape pendant necklace realized in 18K white gold studded with 0.37 ct of
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Sybarite Cross Ring in Yellow Gold with White Diamonds
By Sybarite Jewellery
Located in London, GB
perfect everyday piece, this Cross ring takes the ordinary and adds a little Sybarite charm. 18K Yellow
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings

Materials

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

Diamond Cross Brooch Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond cross brooch features a central South Sea pearl of 16mm, 2 pear shape faceted emeralds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Whit...

Cross Diamonds Emeralds 9 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, IT
. Cross Total Weight 34.90 grams Rose cut diamonds weight 5.10 karat Emeralds weight 7.65 karat (the price
Category

Antique Early 1700s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Diamonds Enamel 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, IT
Extraordinary cross-shaped pendant, crafted in an elegant combination of 14-karat yellow gold and
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

DAMIANI 1.30 Carats Diamond Pave Gold Cross Pendant Necklace
By Damiani
Located in New York, NY
The cross is is 18K White Gold There are 1.30 Carats in Diamonds F VVS The cross is by DAMIANI made
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Silver Cross Pendant Necklace with Heart Ruby Black Diamond
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by award winning Italian designer Stefano Vitolo. Stefano creates custom artisanal one of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Ruby, Black Diamond, Silver

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Italian Diamond Cross For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the italian diamond cross 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 Rose Gold. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Making the right choice when shopping for a italian diamond cross may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 20th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Finding an appealing italian diamond cross — no matter the origin — is easy, but Gilberto Cassola, Annellino Fine Jewellery and FERRUCCI each produced a popular version that is worth a look. See these pages for a baguette cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also round cut cut and brilliant cut cut versions available here, too. When shopping for a italian diamond cross, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is an Italian Diamond Cross?

On average, a italian diamond cross at 1stDibs sells for $2,800, while they’re typically $599 on the low end and $9,455 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Finding the Right Necklaces for You

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

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

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

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

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

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

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A Centuries-Old Style, Lockets Have Never Lost Their Romantic Appeal

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This Van Cleef & Arpels Necklace Is an Heirloom in the Making

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[Survey] Two-Thirds of Jewelry Gift Recipients Don’t Want to Be Surprised

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Whether Worn Alone or Layered, These Chain Link Necklaces Are Trending

Learn more about the stylish links that have passed the test of time.

Meet the Dapper, Mustachioed Parisian Who’s Tops in Crafting Enticing Jewels

After more than a decade creating the iconic Lanvin gems of the Alber Elbaz years, designer Elie Top dove into the world of fine jewelry, mixing silver and gold to create his own striking, timeless look.