Vintage 1.90ct Diamond Daisy Cluster Earrings, c.1980s
Located in London, GB
Dating back to the 1980s, this elegant pair of daisy cluster earrings features a collection of sparkling round brilliant diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Boucheron Paris 18k Gold Diamond Ribbed Drop Earrings, Circa 1980s
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Boucheron Paris 18k yellow gold and diamond clip earrings, circa 1980s, designed with a bold ribbed gold form and pavé diamond centers.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,018Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Leaf Design Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.55 ct. The diamond is has H-I color and s1-s2 clarity. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, 18k Gold
$2,281Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Baguette Cut Diamond Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.2 grams. Totally is diamond 0.65 ct. The diamond is has H color and vs clarity. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Emerald, Cultured Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Roma, RM
Each earring is centered by a beautifully matched cultured pearl, embraced by a meticulously arranged halo of vibrant round-cut emeralds.
Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
$4,914Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Omega Back Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 8.1 grams. Totally is brilliant cut diamond about 1.10 ct. Totally is princess cut diamond 0.50 ct. The diamond is has F color and vs clarity....
Diamond, 18k Gold
$4,607Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Sapphire Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 20.7 gram. Totally is diamond 0.80 ct. The diamond is has F-G color and vvs1-vs1 clarity. Totally is sapphire 1.90 ct. Please contact for any...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
$2,106Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Tulip Style Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4.1 grams. Totally is diamond 1.20 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vvs-vs clarity. The box is not included. Please contact for any questi...
Diamond, 14k Gold
$3,071Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s Handcrafted 18k Gold Natural Diamond Enamel Drop Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 11.7 grams. Totally is diamond 0.35 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vvs-vs clarity. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
$3,510Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Cabochon Emerald Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 9.7 grams. Totally is diamond 1 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vs clarity. Totally is emerald 1.60 ct. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$1,930Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 4 grams. Totally is diamond 0.25 ct. The diamond is has H color vs-s1 clarity. Totally is ruby 0.65 ct. Box is not included. Please contact fo...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
$3,203Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Pearl Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 12.1 grams. Totally is diamond 2.10 ct. The diamond is has H-I-J-K color and vs1-s1 clarity. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
$3,685Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 11.7 grams. Totally is diamond 0.90 carat. The diamond is has G-H color and vvs-vs clarity. Totally is ruby about 0.60 carat. Please contac...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s 1.90 Carat Diamond and Platinum Stud Earrings
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
These stunning, fine and impressive 1980s diamond stud earrings earrings have been crafted in platinum and 18k white gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1980s Carved Coral Diamond Onyx Gold Drop Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian 1980s 18k gold drop earrings, set with carved coral, onyx and approx. 0.20ctw in diamonds.
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Gold
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Estate Natural Diamond And Heated Ruby Stud Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
Import Taxes USA — No Hidden Fees!💎 Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Estate Natural Diamond And Heated Ruby Stud Earring In very good condition.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s Emerald & Diamond Drop 18K White Gold Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
An elegant pair of emerald and diamond cluster drop earrings, crafted in luminous 18K white gold. These sophisticated bridal-style drops feature a dramatic linear design, timeless gl...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
$3,948Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition... Total weight 10.3 grams.. Diamond totally about 2 carat.. Clarity is diamond G-H color and vvs-vs... Please contact for any questions...
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s Diamond 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Clip-On Earrings
Located in Roma, RM
A striking pair of 1980s diamond clip-on earrings, masterfully crafted in 18 karat yellow and white gold.
Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s 3.00 carats Diamond Platinum Gold Flower Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
Sweet Elegant Flower Diamond Stud Earrings in Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold Everlasting flower diamond stud earrings, meticulously crafted in platinum and 18K yellow gold. Each earr...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
$2,193Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Cabochon Cut Ruby Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.3 grams. Totally is diamond 0.70 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vs1-s1 clarity. Totally is ruby 0.60 ct. Please contact for any questi...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Trianon 14K Yellow Gold Mabe Pearl Onyx Diamond Earrings, 1980s
By Trianon
Located in Towson, MD
A striking pair of vintage 1980s Trianon 14 karat yellow gold pierced earrings, masterfully combining the elegance of mabe pearls with the bold contrast of onyx and diamonds.
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold
$2,983Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Ruby Omega Back Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 11.9 grams. Totally is diamond 0.80 ct. The diamond is has G color and vs1 clarity. Totally is ruby 0.95 ct. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s Emeralds Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Clip-on Earrings
Located in Poitiers, FR
For non pierced ears. Earrings in 18 karat yellow gold. Elegant emerald and diamond earrings, they feature a row of three modern brilliant-cut diamonds set in a drop pattern and held...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,334Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Sapphire Heart Stud Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 11 grams. Totally is diamond 0.65 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vs1-s1 clarity. Totally is sapphire 2 ct. The box is not included. Plea...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s David Webb Black Enamel and Diamond Earrings
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum with Round brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 3.60 carats. Signed by David Webb, from their Manhattan Minimalism ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
$3,729Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Caliber Ruby Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 12.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.30 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vs clarity. Totally is ruby 0.80 ct. Box is not included. Please cont...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s European Cabochon ruby and marquise diamond stud earrings
Located in London, GB
The design of this beautiful pair of European 1980's stud earrings is centred around a pair of cabochon rubies weighing a total of approximately 4 carats.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Diamond Stud Earrings Ca. 1980s
Located in Lexington, KY
This gorgeous stud earrings come from the 1980s and were made in 14k yellow gold and bright white round full cut diamonds.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Blue Zircon and Diamond Dangle 18K White Gold Earrings, circa 1980s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This dazzling pair of 18K white gold dangle earrings from the 1980s captivates with its vibrant design and exquisite craftsmanship.
Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, White Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage Platinum 1980s 0.95 Carat Diamond Stud Earrings with Screw Back Fittings
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Diamond Studs Platinum Circa 1980s Step back into the 1980s with these remarkable antique diamond stud earrings boasting a total weight of 0.95 carats, expertly set in ex...
Diamond, Platinum
1980s Cabochon Amethyst Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Set with 4 perfectly matched vibrant deep purple amethyst cabochons within a polished 18 karat yellow gold border separated by a band of bright white pave set round brilliant cut dia...
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,500Sale Price|40% Off
1980s 14k Yellow Gold Ruby & Diamond Lever Back Earrings
Located in Lexington, KY
This is a beautiful pair of ruby and diamond earrings made in 14k yellow gold, from the 1980s.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Gold and Diamond Spike Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold featuring Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 1.80 carats. Circa 1980s
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Chunky Gold Earrings with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold featuring Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 4.00 carats, H-I color, VS1-VS2 clarity. Circa 1980s
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Gold Triangle Earrings with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 2.60 carats. The omega backs are finely crafted in 14k yellow gold. Circa 1980s ...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$4,738Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Decorated Pretty Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.2 grams. Totally is diamond about 2.20 ct . The diamond is has G-H color and vvs-vs clarity. Acid tested to be 18k real gold. Please contac...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 1980s Emerald and Diamond Earrings in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Roma, RM
A striking expression of late twentieth-century high jewelry, these impressive earrings combine vibrant emeralds with dazzling diamonds in a sculptural composition inspired by flowin...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
1980s Coral Onyx Diamond Gold Button Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Pair of vintage, circa 1980s 18k gold button earrings, featuring coral, onyx and approx. 1.30ctw H/VS diamonds.
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Gold
$3,685Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond Emerald Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 17.6 grams. Totally is diamond 2.50 ct. The diamond is has brown color and Pique 1-2-3 clarity. Totally is emerald 4.40 ct. Please contact for...
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver
Vintage 1980s 12.00 Carat White and Yellow Diamond X Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut White Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 7.00 carats and Yellow Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 5.00 car...
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K White Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings, 1980s
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels small hoop earrings crafted in 18K white gold, designed with multiple rows of pavé-set diamonds across the front surface.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Harry Winston Ruby and Diamond Earrings
By Harry Winston
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Cabochon Rubies as well as 2 Round cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 0.40 carat and small Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing ap...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s 9.70 Carat Sapphire & 6.50 Carat Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Finley crafted in 18k yellow gold with two GIA certified Ceylon Sapphires, one weighing 5.16 carats, and the other 4.54 carats. The earrings feature 14 Heart-Shaped Diamonds weighing...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s Coral, Onyx, Diamond & 18K Yellow Gold Clip-On Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
Era: 1980s Materials: 18K Yellow Gold, Natural Salmon Coral, Onyx, Diamonds Diamond Weight: Approx. 4.00 carats total Color/Clarity: H-I / VS-SI Measurements: 33mm x 23mm Weight: 28....
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold
Bold 1980s 18K Gold Clip-On Earrings with Rubies and Diamonds
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Each earring is accented with pavé-set brilliant-cut diamonds, weighing approximately 1.17 carats in total, adding a touch of glamorous sparkle.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Diamond Emerald Ruby Sapphire Cluster Omega Back Earrings 1980s
Located in Towson, MD
One pair of vintage circa 1980s 14 karat yellow gold cluster earrings set with single cut diamonds, square cut emeralds, rubies, and blue sapphires, arranged in a scalloped diamond l...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Vintage Diamond Pave Fluted Button Earrings, circa 1980s
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Creator: Van Cleef & Arpels, French Size: 1" x 0.75" Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 30.46 grams Period: 1980s Condition: Used - Previously owned, lightly worn, and in excellent c...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Chanel Diamond Camellia Flower Earrings with Pearl Drops
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with pave-set Round Brilliant cut Diamonds and detachable Pearl drops. Signed by Chanel Circa 1980s 1 1/4 x 3/4 inches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s 2.50 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Earrings
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive pair of vintage 2.50 carat sapphire and 0.18 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold earrings; part of our diverse sapphire jewelry collections. These fine and impressive ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s 2.25 Carat Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive pair of vintage 2.25 carat sapphire and 0.26 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold stud earrings; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections. The...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$5,265Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Original 18k Gold Circa 1980s Natural Diamond Decorated Strong Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10 grams. Totally is diamond 2.30 ct. The diamond is has G-H-I color and vvs-vs clarity. Please contact for any questions.
Diamond, 18k Gold
$3,948Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Circa 1980s 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Turquoise Decorated Earring
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 13.6 grams. Totally is diamond about 1 ct. The diamond is has G-H color and vvs-vs-s1-s2 clarity. Box is not included. Please contact for any ...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1980S South Sea Pearl Diamond Platinum Scalloped Dangle Drop Earrings
Located in Miami, FL
These platinum dangle earrings feature a lustrous South Sea pearl suspended from a scalloped design setting. Each earring showcases a cascade of 168 natural round diamonds, meticulo...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Henry Dunay 11.00 Carat Diamond Earrings
By Henry Dunay
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 11.00 carats. Signed by Henry Dunay. Circa 1980s. 1 3/4 inch x 1 inch.
Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s 18 Karat Gold Diamond Night and Day Pendant Earrings
Located in New York, NY
The detachable and flexible bottom element has the appearance of flowing drapes with the same wonderful bright diamonds and detailed gold work. The back of the earring is stamped wit...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Heart Shaped Citrine Earrings with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold featuring Heart Shaped Citrines and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 0.60 carat. Circa 1980s Made in France
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
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.
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 rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
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.
Someone wanted to “modernize” the Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. masterworks, but Mahnaz Collection came to their rescue. Here, the dealer explains precisely why they’re such an extraordinary find.
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
The mismatched, multiple-earring look may have started with fashion jewelry, but A-list fans have taken it to the next level.
From buttons to chandeliers, here are the top styles to get or give in 2020.
Organic shapes, surprising textures, shimmering colors and inventive embellishments take the new generation of pearl jewelry from classic to cutting-edge.
Soak up the pleasures of the season with a these bold gems.
The classic circle has appeared in countless variations over the centuries.