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Antique Enamel and Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1870s, Silver over Gold (14k). Colorful, charming, and feminine, this Victorian heart pendant
Category

1870s Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Enamel

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
Here we have a fabulous diamond set pendant necklace. This pendant has been crafted from 9ct white
Category

1920s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Silver

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
Here we have a delightful diamond set pendant necklace. This pendant has been crafted from 9ct gold
Category

1920s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold, Platinum, Silver

Victorian 1.00ct Diamond Heart Pendant, c.1860s
Located in London, GB
A charmingly sweet heart shaped pendant dates back to the Victorian era. It is composed of grain
Category

1860s British Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming diamond necklace. This Victorian pendant has been crafted from silver into
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

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

Antique 14ct Gold Pearl & Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Heart Pendant 14ct Gold Circa 1910 Beautiful Antique Heart Pendant. Set with Natural
Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold

Edwardian Emerald and Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in London, GB
triangular cut diamond sits at the centre of an double framed open heart consisting of square calibrated
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique victorian era heart pendant with rose cut diamonds hanging with a swallow bird in 10k gold
Category

1890s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Edwardian Amethyst and Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Hummelstown, PA
An enduring symbol of love from the turn of the 20th century to wear close to your heart. This
Category

Early 1900s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Amethyst, 14k Gold

Antique 18th Century Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in MIAMI, FL
Beautiful pendant showing a puffy heart shape adorned with natural earth mined rose cut diamonds
Category

Late 19th Century American Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold

Emerald Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in New York, NY
The ultimate pendant: a perfectly proportioned figural "heart" with a diamond bail. Over 7 carats
Category

1910s American Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Victorian Yogo Gulch Montana Sapphire & Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in San Francisco, CA
This extraordinary heart-shaped pendant features eighteen carats of rare Montana sapphires from
Category

1890s North American Late Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian 1880s Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique victorian era rose cut diamond peandant in heart designe topped with a swallow bird and a
Category

1870s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Antique Anchor with Diamond Heart Pendant of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
adding a gold jump ring bail. The anchor is accented with a diamond studded heart. The piece measures
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 5.48 Carat Opal and 2.91 Carat Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
karat yellow gold heart pendant; part of our diverse antique jewellery and estate jewelry collections
Category

1910s Unknown Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold Cabochon Garnet Diamond Heart Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Rare antique Victorian garnet and diamond pendant and locket, circa 1860. The crystal on the
Category

1860s Unknown High Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 12k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
diamond is has G-H-I color and S1-S2. Heart part 12k gold and Chain part 8k Gold. Total length is chain 45
Category

Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Brooch 14 Karat Red Gold Silver
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This versatile piece of jewellery can be worn as a pendant or brooch. The pendant loop is on a
Category

1870s Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 12.8 grams. Totally is main Pear rose cut diamond 1.03 ct
Category

Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 12k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 15.4 grams. Totally is diamond about 5 ct. The diamond is
Category

Early 1900s Asian Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 9k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant Necklace
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 8.7 grams. Totally is diamond 2.50 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Early 1900s European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold

Victorian 14kt/Sterling Rose Cut Diamond Heart Pendant 1ctw
Located in Narberth, PA
sterling silver, this heart-shaped pendant is encrusted with Rose Cut diamonds that gently glisten as they
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique 1880s Rose Cut Diamond Heart Gold Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique rose cut diamond heart pendant with an estimate diamond weight of 3.5 carats back foiled
Category

1880s Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond

Victorian Old Mine Diamond Pearl Heart Pendant Brooch 14 Karat Gold Antique
Located in New York, NY
This is an Antique Victorian Diamond Heart Pendant set throughout with lovely Seed Pearls. In the
Category

19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian 2.20 Ct Old Cut Diamond 18 KT Openwork Large Hearth Pendant
Located in Napoli, IT
Love Token This beautiful large sized Victorian Diamond heart pendant is 1870 ca Hand crafted of
Category

1870s European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique 14K Yellow Gold Heart Opal Heart Halo Diamond Pendant
Located in beverly hills, CA
This beautiful and elegant antique 14k yellow gold pendant showcase a beautiful heart shaped opal
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

7.95 Carat Tanzanite Heart Cut Diamond Pendant Necklace
Located in Trumbull, CT
This beautiful pendant showcases a vivid 7.19-carat tanzanite, with its stunning blue hue taking
Category

15th Century and Earlier American Artisan Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian Morganite Heart Platinum Gold Diamond Enamel Pendant
Located in London, GB
An exquisite platinum topped 18 karat (18K) yellow gold heart-shaped pendant centring a heart
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Morganite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Child & Child Opal Heart Diamond and Enamel Pendant
By Child & Child
Located in London, GB
Here we have a gorgeous pendant from Child & Child. Famed for their impressive list of patrons
Category

Early 1900s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique 45.27 Carat Amethyst and Diamond Yellow Gold Heart Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
gold and platinum set heart pendant; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
Category

19th Century European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Heart and Tassel Pendant
Located in Narberth, PA
A spectacular diamond heart pendant from the Victorian (ca1880s) era! Crafted in 18kt yellow gold
Category

1880s French Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Onyx and Diamond Heart Locket Pendant
Located in London, GB
18ct yellow gold into the shape of a plump love heart. Striking black onyx acts as the backdrop to an
Category

1870s Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 14ct Yellow Gold, 1920s Heart Shaped Faceted Amethyst & Diamond Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Amethyst Heart Pendant 14ct Gold Stamped Circa 1920s This charming pendant from the 1920s
Category

Early 20th Century European Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Signed French Belle Epoque Amethyst and Diamond Crowned Heart Pendant Brooch
Located in Hummelstown, PA
amethyst heart, bracketed by diamond lined scrolls and crowned with a glittering rose-cut diamond bow, is a
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Amethyst, 18k Gold, Platinum

Victorian Ruby Sapphire and Diamond Double Heart Pendant
Located in London, GB
Here we have a romantic double heart pendant dating back to the Victorian period. In this case, the
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

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

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Heart Gold Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique 14k gold large heart pendant in open work style with rose cut diamonds estimate weight of 1
Category

Early 1900s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Art Deco Enamel and Diamond Heart Locket Pendant
Located in London, GB
surrounding acts as the host to a tremendously crafted centre piece showcasing a rose cut diamond set emblem
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Heart Gold Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique voctorian era heart pendant with rose cut diamonds estimate weight 3.5 carats back foiled
Category

1880s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Antique Crescent and Heart pendant necklace, Sapphire, Diamond and Pearl
Located in NEWARK, GB
This antique Crescent moon and Heart pendant necklace is simply beautiful! Such a romantic and
Category

19th Century British Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Victorian 1.80 CT Diamond Natural Pearls Winged Heart Brooch/Pendant
Located in Napoli, IT
romantic theme of this rare brooch/ pendant featuring a sweet heart with flying wings in the midst all
Category

1880s European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Silver

Important Old Mine Cut Heart Locket Pendant and Diamond Necklace, Certified
Located in Hong Kong, HK
pendant (circa 1850) is made up of 39 antique old mine cut diamonds totaling 4.25 Cts. The center old mine
Category

1850s Hong Kong Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

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

Antique 1880s Vicotrian Rose Cut Diamond Heart Gold Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique victorian era 1850/1880s gold pendant in heart shape design with rose cut diamonds estimate
Category

1870s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Antique Rose Cut Diamond Heart and Arrow Gold Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique rose cut diamond pendant in heart and arrow designe toppend with a swallow bird with
Category

1850s Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Heart Gold Locket Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique 10k gold heart locket pendant with rose cut diamonds estimate weight of 2 carats in back
Category

1880s Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Antique Victorian Heart Locket Pendant 14 Karat Rose Gold Diamonds
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This elegant 14 karat rose gold locket in the shape of a heart is set with six diamonds in star
Category

1880s American High Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold

Large Antique Neoclassical Flemish Heart Diamond Silver Topped 18K Gold Pendant
Located in New York, NY
period diamond, silver topped gold heart with love trophies pendant Netherlands Early 19th Century
Category

19th Century Dutch Georgian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Art Deco 0.42ct Diamond Pendant Heart Motif Filigree Necklace in Platinum
Located in Boston, MA
Aston Estate Jewelry Presents: An Art Deco diamond pendant necklace in platinum. Featuring an
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Belle Époque Diamond and Platinum Heart Pendant and Chain, Circa 1910
Located in London, GB
A Belle Époque diamond and platinum heart pendant and chain, set with an old-cut diamond, in the
Category

1910s American Belle Époque Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian 1880s heart Locket Rose Cut Diamond Gold Locket Pendant
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique rose cut diamond heart locket pendant with an estimate diamond weight of 3 carats decorated
Category

1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Edwardian Diamond Gold Heart Pendant on Tiffany & Co Chain Necklace
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian 14k gold heart pendant, adorned with approx. 2.20ctw in diamonds (one tiny stone is
Category

19th Century Edwardian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Victorian Diamond Double Heart and Bow Luckenbooth Silver Upon Gold Pendant
Located in London, GB
A Victorian diamond set, Luckenbooth double witches' heart pendant, with rose cut diamonds set in
Category

1880s Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond and Ruby 'Beggars Heart' Silver and Yellow Gold Pendant
Located in London, GB
A Victorian diamond and ruby 'Beggars Heart' silver and yellow gold pendant. This charming heart
Category

Early 1900s British Late Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Heart Carved Moonstone 1.40 Ct Diamond Pearl Pendant Brooch Chain
Located in Napoli, IT
This superb 19th example of sentimental heart pendant is made of silver over 10 Carat gold
Category

1860s European Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, 10k Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond Heart Necklace
Located in London, GB
Here we have a charming diamond cluster necklace featuring a heart-shaped pendant. The pendant is
Category

Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Black Onyx Heart Pendant Necklace Brooch 18K Gold
Located in New York, NY
Indulge in a spectacular Antique Victorian Rose Cut Diamond and Black Onyx Heart Pendant Necklace
Category

19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Stunning Pavé Diamond Heart Shape Locket Pendant 4 Leaf Clover Inside
Located in London, GB
A stunning late Victorian diamond heart shaped pendant locket c.1896, the domed heart fully pavé
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 8k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Bird Pendant
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 9.5 grams. Totally is diamond 2.85 ct. The diamond is has H
Category

Early 1900s Turkish Retro Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 9k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Bird Pendant
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 15.3 grams. Totally is diamond about 7 ct. The diamond is
Category

Early 1900s Asian Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 9k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Bird Heart Pendant
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 16.8 grams. Totally is diamond about 3.30 ct. The diamond
Category

Early 1900s Asian Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold

Antique Circa 1900s 10k Gold Natural Rose Cut Diamond Heart Bird Pendant
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 11 grams. Totally is diamond 3 ct. The diamond is has G-H-I
Category

Early 1900s Turkish Victorian Antique Diamond Heart Pendant

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold

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Antique Diamond Heart Pendant For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the antique diamond heart pendant you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Silver — can elevate any look. If you’re looking for an antique diamond heart pendant from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 18th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 20th Century. Finding an appealing antique diamond heart pendant — no matter the origin — is easy, but Tiffany & Co., Cartier and Fabio Ferrara each produced a popular version that is worth a look. An old mine cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also rose cut and old european cut versions for sale. Most of our antique diamond heart pendant for sale are for women, but there are 83 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Antique Diamond Heart Pendant?

The price for an antique diamond heart pendant starts at $176 and tops out at $225,000 with these necklaces, on average, selling for $5,000.

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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