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Handmade Paraiba Tourmaline White Diamond Halo Charm Earrings
By Joke Quick
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hoop earrings with removable charms handmade in Belgium by jewelry artist Joke Quick, in solid 18K
Category

2010s Belgian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yello...

Diamond Two Color Gold Filigree Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
Earrings in 18 carat, white and yellow gold. These delightful white gold curved earrings are
Category

20th Century Italian Renaissance Hoop Earrings

Materials

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

Paul Binder Diamond Hoops
By Paul Binder
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, by Paul Binder, Zurich, Switzerland. The perfect modernist hoops by Zurich's
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Handmade Pastel Green Paraiba Tourmaline White Diamond Halo Charm Earrings
By Joke Quick
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hoop earrings with removable charms handmade in Belgium by jewelry artist Joke Quick, in solid 18K
Category

2010s Belgian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yello...

Gucci Onyx Diamond Gold Earrings
By Gucci
Located in Aspen, CO
116 small full cut diamond melee diamonds - all bright and white adorn these 18K white gold hoop
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx

Mismatched Emerald, Black Opal, Paraïba Tourmaline and Diamond Earrings
By Joke Quick
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mismatched Hoop earrings handmade in Belgium by jewelry artist Joke Quick, in solid 18K white gold
Category

2010s Belgian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold

David Webb Huggie Earrings Gold Small Hoop Earrings
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
" Hallmarks: Webb, 18K A pair of huggie earrings by David Webb, made of 18k gold. 
They are crafted as small
Category

Late 20th Century Clip-on Earrings

Materials

18k Gold

18k White Gold Diamond Teardrop Pendant Earrings
Located in Palm Beach, FL
-hoop huggie design tops accented by small round-cut diamonds. 1.71 total carats of diamonds. Snap
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Rainbow Sapphire Earrings Estate 18k Yellow Gold Drop Hoops Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish pair of contemporary estate rainbow sapphire drop earrings crafted in 18k yellow gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow S...

White Round Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18k White Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18k white gold. The bottom dangle comes off so the earrings can be worn as small hoops also. A great
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Pave Platinum and Yellow Gold Small Hoop Clip-On Earrings
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Exquisitely crafted from platinum and 18K yellow gold and embellished in a most luxurious manner
Category

20th Century French Clip-on Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Messika 18K White Gold 0.84 ct Diamond Drop Earrings
By Messika
Located in Southampton, PA
These stunning Messika earrings are sure to wow. The earrings are made with 18K White Gold and are
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Pave Platinum and Yellow Gold Small Hoop Clip-On Earrings
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
Exquisitely crafted from platinum and 18K yellow gold and embellished in a most luxurious manner
Category

20th Century French Clip-on Earrings

Materials

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

LB Exclusive 18K White Gold 1.55 ct Diamond Oval Drop Earrings
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
These stunning LB Exclusive earrings are full of glamor! The earrings are made with 18K white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Interchangeable Earrings Peridot Diamond 18 Karat Gold Estate Fine Jewelry Hoop
Located in Torrance, CA
for pierced ears. Metal & Hallmark: 18 karat white gold. The earrings are hallmarked "750" for 18k
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

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

Reflections Hoops, 18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Diamonds, Medium
By CADAR
Located in New York, NY
treasures to be discovered within. Handcrafted in high polished 18K yellow gold and .92cttw white diamonds
Category

2010s American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Mimi So 18k Gold Diamond Stinger Drop Earrings
By Mimi So
Located in Palm Beach, FL
gold with pave-set diamonds. Small 10mm textured twig motif hoops atop white gold arrow drops pave-set
Category

2010s American Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Valentin Magro Cascading Oval Twisted Plain Wire Diamond Gold Earrings ‘Small’
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
hoops, double circles and lower large oval. The earrings are finished in 18kt yellow gold with posts
Category

2010s American Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

White Gold Diamond Briolette Chandelier Earrings 34.78 Carat
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A fabulous pair of white gold diamond chandelier earrings. The earrings consist of a small hoop and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Pair of White Gold, Ruby and Diamond Dangling Earrings
Located in New York, NY
A pair of 18 karat white gold, ruby and diamond dangling earrings. Each earring suspends an oblong
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tear Drop Diamond Gold Dangle Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
These charming diamond tear drop hoop earrings are crafted in solid 18K white gold, weighing approx
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Gold Geometric and Diamond Drop Earrings
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Layers of golden geometric shapes give these drop earrings a dazzling flair. An 18k yellow gold
Category

2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

South-Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
, complimenting the lustrous shine of these gorgeous pearls! Finely crafted in solid 18K white gold, these
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Pave Earrings
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
all crisp, bright white. These earrings are finished with a post and an "Omega" style flip up back
Category

20th Century Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Turmalin Brilliant Earrings 17 ct 0.20 ct Rose Gold 18 kt modern elegant Luxurys
Located in Viena, Viena
, slightly running three-quarter hoop earrings with full-cut diamonds total approx. 0.20 ct, TW (fine white
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Fine Angel Skin Coral Drop Brilliant Earrings made in Italy Set possible elegant
Located in Viena, Viena
(fine white) / VS (very small inclusions), made in 750 white gold, dimensions of the earring approx. 32
Category

2010s Dominican Modern Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Coral, 18k Gold, White Gold

Saphire Brilliant Earrings 7 Different Chakra Colors 2.81ct Goldsmith Work Italy
Located in Viena, Viena
represent the SEVEN CHAKRA colors, held floating by 4 crabs, slightly running three-quarter hoop earrings
Category

2010s Italian Modern Dangle Earrings

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, ...

Mattioli Puzzle Collection 18 Karat Rose Gold, Sky Blue Enamel and Quartzite
By Mattioli
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Mattioli Puzzle Collection 18k Rose Gold, Sky Blue Enamel & Quartzite with hoops in Rose Gold and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel

18K White gold invisible Small Ruby Hoop Earrings
By La Fleur Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
and very sparking. Ruby use 4.25 ct, Diamond 0.39 ct H VS quality, the setting made in 18k White gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Paul Morelli 18K White Gold Black Confetti Small Hoop Earrings #18313
By Paul Morelli
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Paul Morelli 18K White Gold Diamond Confetti Small Hoop Earrings This gorgeous set of small hoop
Category

20th Century Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Small Twist Hoop Earrings, 0.10 Carat, 18K White and Rose Gold Earrings
Located in Honolulu, HI
Diamond Small twist hoop earrings in 18k white and rese gold. These beautiful earrings feature two
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

.60 Carat Diamond White Gold Small Hoop Earrings
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Small Diamond hoop earrings featuring 10 round brilliant cut diamonds with an estimated total
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Gucci Small Icon Diamonds White Gold Hoop Earrings
By Gucci
Located in London, GB
These hoop earrings are perfect for everyday. They are made in 18kt white gold and each of them is
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Alex Jona White Diamond Pavé White Gold Small Hoop Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold, small diamond hoop
Category

2010s Italian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K White gold invisible Sapphire Hoop Earrings
By La Fleur Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
in 18k White gold.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Jona White Diamond Pavé 18 Karat White Gold Small Hoop Earrings
By Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat white gold, small diamond hoop earrings
Category

2010s Italian Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Cartier Trinity Earrings Small Hoops 18k Tri Gold Signed Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Out of production vintage Cartier 'Trinity' earrings crafted in 18k yellow, rose and white gold
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Jona White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Small Hoop Earrings
By Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold small hoop earrings set with 14
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Small Hoop Classic Earrings
Located in Great Neck, NY
These classic and timeless small hoop earrings are made from 2.3 grams of 18 karat white gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Gucci Icon 18 Karat Gold Small Hoops Earrings
By Gucci
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Gucci Icon 18k White Gold Small Hoops Earrings. The famous Gucci “GG” Icon is embossed on each
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari B.Zero1 Logo Etched Small Hoop Earrings in 18 Karat White Gold
By Bulgari
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Hoop Earrings in 18 Karat White Gold. Embrace luxury and elegance with this extraordinary jewelry piece
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

18k Gold, Gold, White Gold

Cadar Endless Hoop Earrings, White Gold and White Diamonds, Medium
By CADAR
Located in New York, NY
brought on by new love. Handcrafted in high polished 18K yellow gold and .60cttw white GVVS-2 diamonds
Category

2010s American Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Alex Jona 18 Karat Yellow Gold Small Hoop Heart Earrings
By Alex Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, 18 karat yellow gold small hoop heart earrings
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Oval Blue Sapphires, White Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Hoop Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
the message center. Small and elegant pair of hoop earrings realized in 18 Kt white gold and
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

David Yurman Sterling Silver 18K White Gold Diamond Mini Hoop Earrings #18555
By David Yurman
Located in Washington Depot, CT
David Yurman Sterling Silver 18K White Gold Diamond Mini Hoop Earrings This gorgeous set of small
Category

20th Century Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver

Small Diameter Inside Out Diamond Gold Hoop Earrings .40 Carat Each Diamond
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
Manufactured by Emilio! These hoops are unique! We set conflict free excellent cut diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Oval Shape Aquamarines, White Diamonds, 18 Karat Rose Gold Hoop Earrings
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Small and elegant pair of hoop earrings realized in 18 Kt rose gold and embellished with 1.16 ct
Category

2010s Italian Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

Aquamarine, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Small Huggy Diamond Gold Earrings
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
weight of .55 carat. Metal Type: 18 Kt White Gold Metal Weight: 3.5 Grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Hoop Earrings, Small Mobius, NETLINE Fine Jewelry.
By Hella Ganor
Located in Herzeliya, IL
Small Mobius NETLINE Earrings - 14k gold Unique hoop earrings made with 3D printing technique in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Israeli Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

14k Gold

Modern Italian 18kt Gold Hoop Earrings with Diamonds
Located in Esch sur Alzette, Esch-sur-Alzette
The Modern Italian 18kt Gold Hoop Earrings described are a sophisticated and elegant piece of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

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

18 Karat Etched White Gold Large Hoops
Located in Aspen, CO
18K etched white gold large hoops, at a distance one would swear that these were paved with small
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

18k Gold

Cartier Trinity Diamond 18 Karat Tri-Color Gold Hoop Earrings
By Cartier
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Cartier Trinity small diamond hoop earrings are great for everyday wear. The earrings feature 18
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Hoop Earrings

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Hoop Earrings Set Front and Inside
Located in Punta Gorda, FL
Hoop Earrings are masterfully set with small baguette and round diamonds to give you an incredible
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

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

Ruby and Diamond White Gold Earrings
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Small diamond and ruby white gold hoop type earrings featuring an oval ruby set in a diamond frame
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Roman Malakov, 7.30 Carat Pave Diamond Hoop Earrings
By Roman Malakov
Located in New York, NY
. Approximately, 1.50 inches in diameter. Made with 18 karat white gold. Style available in different price
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

H. Stern 0.64 Carat Diamond Huggie Hoop Earrings in Brushed 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By H. Stern
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
hallmarks plus "750" for 18 karat gold Condition: These earrings are freshly polished and refinished
Category

Early 2000s Brazilian Contemporary Hoop Earrings

Materials

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

Emilio Jewelry Emerald Cut Inside Out Diamond Hoop Earrings
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
Great small diameter with large diamonds to wear everyday! About .75 inches top to bottom with our
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

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Small 18k White Gold Hoop Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, there are many options to choose from in our inventory of small 18k white gold hoop earrings. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and White Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 4 vintage editions and 58 modern creations to choose from as well. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 20th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Contemporary and Modern are consistently popular styles when it comes to small 18k white gold hoop earrings. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by Mattioli, Cartier and Federico Bellini are often thought to be among the most beautiful. While most can agree that any pick from our collection easily elevates most outfits, but the choice of Diamond versions from the 54 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. A selection of round cut, brilliant cut and mixed cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of small 18k white gold hoop earrings, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Small 18k White Gold Hoop Earrings?

Prices for small 18k white gold hoop earrings start at $259 and top out at $21,000 with these earrings, on average, selling for $2,710.

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 Earrings for You

In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.

Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.

Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.

While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.

Questions About Small 18k White Gold Hoop Earrings
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023
    The difference between 14K and 18K white gold stud earrings comes down to the content of the precious metal alloy. Stud earrings made of 14-karat white gold are 58.3% gold and 41.7% base metal, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. As a result, 14-karat white gold tends to be stronger and more resistant to scratching, and 18-karat gold will have a more noticeable warm-glowing yellow tinge. On 1stDibs, shop a range of white gold stud earrings.