Skip to main content

Old Cut Diamond Cluster Pendant

to
7
208
81
148
130
113
85
32
32
31
25
23
23
17
13
12
9
7
6
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
Sort By
Vintage 18 Carat Gold Diamond Cluster Pendant Necklace
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
A wonderful vintage pendant necklace. The pendant is set with seven stunning old European cut
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

1.65 Carat Diamond White Gold Circle Cluster Art Deco Pendant Necklace
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage 1930 diamond pendant necklace. 1 Old European brilliant cut bezel set center diamond
Category

Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, trefoil design embellished with three bezel set Old European cut diamonds. The pendant suspends from a
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl

Art Deco 2.20ct Diamond Pendant, c.1920s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1920s is this classy diamond cluster pendant. To the centre sits an 0.85 carat
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Sapphire Diamond and Pearl Pendant
Located in London, GB
old cut diamonds. This pendant's floral open structure plays host to an array of additional milgrain
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire

18 K Yellow Gold Victorian Star Necklace Pendant/Brooch Pearls Diamonds
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
cluster of Pearls to the centre and tapering Pearls to the points of the star and 4 brilliant cut Diamonds
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 14 Karat Gold 0.40 Carat Sapphire Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
piece features: - 1 sapphire, cushion cut, 0.40ct, B 7/4, VS - 12 diamonds, old cut, TW 0.70ct, STW-TW
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Victorian Amethyst and Diamond Pendant in Silver on Gold
Located in London, England
A spectacular Victorian amethyst and diamond cluster pendant set in silver on gold, circa 1901
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique 0.80 Carat Sapphire and 0.82 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
sapphire is encircled with ten modern brilliant round cut diamonds. The central platinum cluster design is
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Antique 5.35 Carat Diamond and 1.04 Carat Ruby Yellow Gold Pendant, Circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
ruby. The millegrain bordered cluster is embellished with forty-four pavé set Old European round cut
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond Floral Necklace in Silver on Gold
Located in London, England
. The necklace centrally features a diamond cluster design comprising of 9 old mine cut diamonds. The
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Gold

Antique Necklace 13 Natural 14ctw Gems solid 14/ 18K Gold / 5.8gr
Located in SE
: 1. Only one Citrine, old mixed square cut: 9 mm x 7.5 mm x 3.3mm / ca. 4ct 2. Three old diamond cut
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Citrine, Garnet, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Bailey Biddle Banks 1905 Edwardian Belle Epoque Convertible Brooch in Platinum
By Bailey, Banks Biddle
Located in Miami, FL
, pearls and white metals like platinum and white gold. Diamonds often had an Old Mine or European cut and
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Antique Edwardian 18K White Gold Diamond Pearl Snowflake Cluster Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
features a gorgeous snowflake cluster design set with stunning old mine cut diamonds and fine white pearls
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Deco Bohemian Necklace Garnet 18K Gold Silver / 6.2 gr
Located in SE
. WEIGHT OF THE STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are
Category

Vintage 1930s Czech Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Necklace natural 22ctw. Amethyst Pearls Gilt Silver/42.5cm/ 15.2 gr
Located in SE
STONES The cuts of the stones that you may see on many of the older jewelry items are usually of older
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Art Deco Platinum Diamond and Emerald Cocktail Cluster Ring
Located in New York, NY
with ribbon bow motifs Three old European-cut center diamonds weighing approximately 0.80 carats
Category

Early 20th Century American Art Deco Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Antique Aquamarine Diamond Seed Pearl Platinum Pendant Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
grades) P1 Cut Old European/Eight Content 0.54 carat Number of Diamonds 22 Dimensions Length of drop
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 6.24 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch or Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, encircled by ten claw set Old European cut diamonds, forming a central cluster design. This cluster is
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Art Nouveau 14k Gold Seed Pearl Diamond Enamel Floral Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
- Stem Set - Off-White Color - 2.3mm each (approx.) (1) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old European Cut
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Edwardian Diamond 18 Carat Gold and Platinum Necklace
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
The triple cluster pendant on this necklace is classically stunning. The three largest diamonds are
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Georgian Diamond Pear Drop Silver Upon Gold Brooch, Circa 1825
Located in London, GB
A late Georgian old-cut diamond, openwork, love knot scroll brooch with a central cushion old-cut
Category

Antique 1820s English Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

1940s 9.39 Carat Diamond and 4.10 Carat Emerald White Gold Necklace
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
with eight Old European cut diamonds. The upper and lower portions of these three cluster designs are
Category

Vintage 1940s Unknown Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, White Gold

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Necklace
Located in London, GB
A Victorian sapphire and diamond cluster necklace and pendant, the necklace consisting of thirty
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Target Brooch-Pendant
Located in London, GB
A Victorian diamond target brooch-pendant, centrally-set with an old brilliant-cut diamond
Category

Antique 1870s British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Target Pendant-Brooch
Located in London, GB
A Victorian diamond target pendant-brooch, the central old-cut diamond weighing approximately 0.80
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond

Edwardian Diamond Festoon Brooch
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian diamond festoon brooch, an old brilliant-cut diamond, estimated to weigh 0.85 carats
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Half Pearl and Diamond Necklace
Located in London, GB
surrounded by eight old European-cut diamonds estimated to weigh 0.6 carats in total, surrounded by eight
Category

Antique 1880s British Late Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Early 20th Century Diamond and Cultured Pearl Necklace
Located in London, GB
of openwork flower cluster design, all set with old European-cut diamonds, estimated to weigh 11.5
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Aquamarine and Diamond Cluster Necklace
Located in London, GB
, estimated to weigh a total of 26 carats, surrounded by a double cluster of rose-cut diamonds with old
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Link Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Round Victorian Rose Cut Diamonds, Old Mine Cut Sapphire Cluster Pendant
Located in Joelton, TN
old Rose Cut Diamond, weighing .15 carats, radiates at the heart of the pendant. Surrounding Diamonds
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire

Antique Diamond Cluster Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This subtle, yet elegant antique cluster pendant features an approximately 1.50 carat diamond
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, Silver

Antique Victorian Diamond Emerald Cluster Pendant
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A fine quality diamond cluster pendant, three rows of old cut diamonds surround a natural emerald
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 15k Gold, Silver

Emerald Diamond Silver Over Gold Cluster Pendant
Located in Portland, ME
Silver over gold emerald and diamond pendant. The cluster style pendant is centered with an
Category

Antique 1890s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver

Turn-of-the-Century Emerald and Diamond Cluster Pendant
Located in Greenwich, CT
diamonds and a four old mine-cut diamond bar surmount, the pendant mounted in platinum-topped 18k yellow
Category

Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Victorian Opal Old Cut Diamond Silver Cluster Pendant
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
lively play reds and greens. Twelve good sized old cut diamonds set in silver encircle the opal and is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Silver

Antique Late Victorian 3.50Ct Diamond Total Drop Pendant Brooch Gold Silver
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
cluster with a full surround of decorative shapes adorned with Old European Cut Diamonds weighing a total
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian 1.88 Carat Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Essex, GB
interspaced by rubover-set old cut diamonds. On a fixed, 16 inch yellow gold trace chain. Accompanied by an
Category

Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Old Mine Cut Diamond Pear-Shaped Pendant Earrings
Located in Greenwich, CT
Antique-style diamond pendant earrings, set with old mine cut and circular-cut diamonds weighing
Category

20th Century American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Antique Unheated Sapphire Old Cut Diamond Gold Pendant
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
A fine and impressive antique pendant from early 1900s. A central cushion-cut blue sapphire of
Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond Quatrefoil Gold Platinum Necklace
Located in Sale, Cheshire
This exceptional Edwardian pendant is modelled in 18ct gold and platinum, and set with six old cut
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Old Cut Diamond Double Daisy Pendant Necklace c1905
Located in Theydon Bois, Essex
sparkling cushion shaped old cut diamonds, this necklace is both striking and versatile. Cut – Old mine
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Gold Cluster Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
3.70ctw old Mine cut diamonds in a beautiful 14k yellow gold Victorian cluster pendant. Circa 1880
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mid-19th Century Diamond Cluster Brooch/Pendant
Located in Atlanta, GA
14k yellow gold and sterling silver antique pin/pendant with 64 old mine cut and rose cut diamonds
Category

Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Victorian Sapphire and Diamond Cluster Pendant Brooch circa 1890
Located in Greenwich, CT
Antique sapphire and diamond cluster pendant brooch, composed of a central, cushion-cut sapphire
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire

Original Gold Platinum Cluster Pendant
Located in New York, NY
1.25 carats of classic old mine-cut diamonds make this antique cluster pendant the perfect
Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Euro Cut Diamond and Pearl Grape Design 14 Karat Yellow Gold Pendant Brooch Pin
Located in St. Louis Park, MN
This lovely vintage brooch can also be worn as a pendant. It's designed to look like a cluster of
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian 2.62ct Diamond Daisy Cluster Drop Earrings in 18ct White Gold
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
European Cut Diamond earrings feature a cluster of 1.07ct with the centre Diamond being slightly larger in
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Turquoise Diamond Ear Pendants
Located in New York, NY
Antique Turquoise and Diamond Ear Pendants, each suspending a ball cluster of cabochon turquoise
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, Silver

15K Late Victorian Diamond and Split Pearl Star Brooch or Pendant
Located in Birmingham, GB
A late Victorian 15ct gold diamond and split pearl star brooch. The old-cut diamond and split pearl
Category

Antique 1850s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold

Victorian 1.40 Carat Diamond Sunburst Star Brooch Pendant, Circa 1890
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
Old Mine Cut and Rose Cut diamonds which was typical of star brooch design during the late Victorian
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Diamond Gold Starburst Brooch/Pendant
Located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB
-cut and rose-cut diamonds graduating in size down each ray, surrounding the central cluster of seven
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British High Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Certified Burmese Ruby Diamond Silver Gold Ear Pendants
Located in Edinburgh, GB
, set within an old European-cut diamond surround, diamonds weighing approximately 2 carats in total
Category

Antique 1890s Hungarian Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Late Victorian Ruby and Diamond Brooch Pendant in Gold and Silver
Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire
Showing that quality pieces stand the test of time, this gorgeous Ruby and Diamond Brooch/Pendant
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Mindi Mond NY 8.32 Carat Diamond Onyx Art Deco Style One Of-A- Kind Necklace
By Mindi Mond
Located in New York, NY
York brands notoriety. Bar pendant: Center bezel old European cut diamond= Approx. 1.42 CTW 9
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Art Deco Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Mid-19th Century Diamond Gold Chandelier Earrings
Located in Greenwich, CT
Naturalistic diamond pendant earrings, designed with a diamond cluster surmount suspending a pair
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Cluster Necklace
Located in Sale, Cheshire
gold chain. STONES Natural Blue Sapphire Old European cut Diamonds MEASUREMENTS Pendant: 8.5 x 8.5mm
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Old Cut Diamond Cluster Pendant", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Old Cut Diamond Cluster Pendant For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact old cut diamond cluster pendant you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, yellow gold and platinum. Find an antique version now, or shop for 117 vintage or 4 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. You’re likely to find the perfect old cut diamond cluster pendant 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. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic old cut diamond cluster pendant over the years, but those made by Tiffany Co., Carlo and Arthur Giuliano and Garrard Co. Ltd. are often thought to be among the most beautiful. An old european cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also old mine cut and round cut versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking an old cut diamond cluster pendant, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is an Old Cut Diamond Cluster Pendant?

On average, an old cut diamond cluster pendant at 1stDibs sells for $13,446, while they’re typically $1,308 on the low end and $509,798 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.  

Read More

This Victorian Necklace Features a Rainbow of Gems

If jewelry could talk, we know this piece would have good stories.

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

Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.

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

With more than 100 carats of diamonds, this vintage stunner converts into different styles, making it as versatile as it is breathtaking.

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

Givers of fine gems enjoy surprise more than receivers, and women more than men. Find out what else our survey of 3,000 Americans revealed.

Next-Level Pearls That Go Well Beyond the Expected

Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.

7 Vibrant Jewels for a Breezy Late-Summer Wardrobe

Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.

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.