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Gold And Diamonds Hair Combs

Pair of Antique Gold Platinum and Gem set Hair Combs
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 Pair of Phenomenal Hair Combs, measuring 5 1/4 inches in length and 1 3/4 inches wide
Category

Vintage 1910s European Edwardian Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Paris 1900 Edwardian Enameled Hairs-Comb in 18Kt Gold With Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
the same period. Materials: 18Kt yellow gold, platinum, diamonds, enamel and carved comb. Diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Vanity Items

Materials

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

1940s Van Cleef & Arpels 18k gold hair comb in case
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in London, GB
This charming 1940s Van Cleef & Arpels pocket comb is made of 18k yellow gold. It is adorned with a
Category

Vintage 1940s American Contemporary Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

NEOCLASSICAL 1880 Enameled Hair Comb In 18Kt Gold Diamonds & Carved Agates
Located in Miami, FL
. Materials: 18Kt yellow gold, platinum, diamonds, agates, white enamel and carved comb. Diamonds: Mounted in
Category

Antique 1880s Austrian Neoclassical Brooches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel, 18k ...

Leitão & Irmão Antique 19th Century Diamond Star Tortoise Shell Brooch Hair Comb
Located in Lisbon, PT
convertible tortoise shell hair piece in silver and yellow gold, Portugal, circa 1880. This highly collectible
Category

Antique 1880s Portuguese Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Aigrette Lily Comb Victorian Trembling Sapphires Old-cut Diamonds, 1880
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Aigrette Lily Comb Victorian Trembling Sapphires Old-cut Diamonds, 1880 Created around 1880
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Edwardian 1.40 Ct Diamond Barrette Hair Clip 18 KT
Located in Napoli, IT
Diamonds to highlight your hair, it has long back clip that shuts firmly and a little comb to stuck into
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Edwardian 1905 Guilloche Pendant Brooch 18Kt Gold Platinum with 2.56 Ct Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
pearl necklace and gold drops earrings, with her hair arranged in two braids which is adorned with pink
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Desbazeille Art Nouveau Champagne Diamond and Gold Cufflinks, Circa 1895
Located in London, GB
A pair of French, Art Nouveau, champagne brown diamond and yellow gold floral cufflinks, for Maison
Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Cufflinks

Materials

Brown Diamond, Gold

Victorian Opal and Diamond Crown Tiara Haircomb Necklace, circa 1880s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
diamonds (ca. 12 carats), in a shell like design. It can be worn with a detachable hair comb, or as a
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver

Carlo and Arthur Giuliano Antique Diamond Wing Brooch circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Antique diamond wing brooch, attributed to Carlo and Arthur Giuliano, circa 1900. A gold and silver
Category

Antique Early 1900s Brooches

Materials

Yellow Gold, Silver

Bronze Bust Sculpture Att. Will Rogers on Green Stone Base by Leonard McMurry
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
square base. The sculpture depicts a man, with an extreme likeness to Will Rogers. The man has combed
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Recent Sales

Tortoiseshell Hair Side Comb with Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Hair side comb made of tortoiseshell. Germany, 1950's. Adorned with 79 brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1950s German More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

For a Lifetime: Victorian Diamond Hair Comb
Located in Wimberley, TX
gold is set with one hundred forty-nine (149) old mine cut diamonds with a total estimated diamond
Materials

14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Natural Pearl Hair Comb
Located in Southampton, NY
An exquisite silver on gold hair comb set with rose cut diamonds and natural pearls. In it's
Category

Italian Vanity Items

Late Victorian French Gold Hair Comb Set with Diamonds and Made from Horn
Located in Antwerp, BE
. The use of horn was revived by René Lalique (who employed it for making decorative combs, hair
Category

Antique 1890s French Late Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

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

Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Bib Necklace
Located in Frederick, MD
This beautiful “bib” style necklace was most likely a hair comb or hair piece that was at some
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco More Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Multi Gem Set Silver Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
jewel was once interchangeable with a double prong hair comb. Very pretty. Silver on Gold and all
Category

Antique 1860s British Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Georgian Butterfly in Flight Brooch
Located in London, GB
Mounted with 37 Rose Diamonds, 7 Rubies, 5 Sapphires and 4 Emeralds all in unmarked 18k Gold, the
Category

Antique 1820s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond Hair Comb
Located in Chicago, IL
Victorian, Silver top & Gold Back Hair Comb, Old Mine cut and Cushion Cut Diamonds totaling
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

1950s Vintage Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Hair Comb
Located in Miami, FL
hair comb will add grace and elegance. Measuring Approx. 2.75 inch x 2.75 inch. This extraordinary
Category

Vintage 1950s Art Deco More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold

Edwardian Diamond Pearl Brooch Pendant with Hair Comb
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian diamond and pearl brooch-cum-pendant, with hair comb fitting, set with old-cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Chaumet London 1968 Hair Comb in 18kt Gold with 2.32ctw in Diamonds and Emerald
By Chaumet
Located in Miami, FL
Gems set hair comb designed by Chaumet. Fabulous and very luxurious gems set hair comb, created in
Category

Vintage 1960s French Neoclassical Brooches

Materials

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

Edwardian Diamond Platinum Starburst Pin Pendant and Hair Pin
Located in Narberth, PA
, a pendant, or a hair comb. The dazzling diamond-encrusted surface is comprised of old mine cut and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

1970s Diamond Gold Hair Comb
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s 14K yellow Gold and Diamond Hair Comb, measuring 3 inch X 1 5/8 inch and containing 26
Category

Vintage 1970s American More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

1970s Diamond Gold Hair Comb
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s 14K Yellow Gold and Diamond Hair Comb. Measuring 1 5/8 inch in length X 1 5/8 Inch and
Category

Vintage 1970s American More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

1970s Diamond Gold Hair Comb
1970s Diamond Gold Hair Comb
D 1.63 in L 1.63 in
Estate Diamond Gold French Hair Comb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A handmade estate French hair comb from the early 1900’s. It is made of 18K yellow gold filigree
Category

Early 20th Century Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Two Diamond Gold Platinum Hair Combs
By Cartier
Located in New York City, NY
Very rare and unusual pair of diamond, platinum, 18K yellow gold and faux turtoise shell hair combs
Category

Vintage 1940s French More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Gold Platinum and Diamond Tortoise Shell Hair Combs
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1915 Hair combs, Tortoise Shell with 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Mounts set with Rose cut
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

late Victorian Large Diamond Silver Gold Hair Comb
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 Silver Top with Gold back and Tortoise Shell Hair Comb, set with approximately 5 carats
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Large Victorian Hair Comb
Located in New York, NY
Large and glamorous Victorian hair comb. Embellished with fine bright-cut engraved floral pattern
Category

Antique 1890s American Vanity Items

Materials

Base Metal

Vienna Köchert Art Nouveau Ruby Diamond Tortoise Shell Gold Silver Hair Comb
By Kochert
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This exquisite carved tortoise shell hair comb is decorated with undulated, chiselled gold wire
Category

Antique 1890s Austrian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Black Star & Frost Edwardian Platinum Gold Diamond and Pearl Hair Combs
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 Black Star & Frost Platinum top and 14k Hair Comb / Pins, measuring 3 3/4 inches in
Category

Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum

Diamond and Gold Brooch / Comb
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
it can be worn safely in the hair as well as as a brooch. Three color of gold threads are woven into
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Georgian En Tremblant Rose Cut Diamond Brooch Hair Comb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Georgian En Tremblant Rose-cut Diamond Brooch/Hair Comb The ruby-eyed bee hovers with en
Category

Antique 1820s Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Silver

Fun Comb Brush and Roller Gold Charm
Located in New York, NY
Fun and original figural charm -- a comb, a hair brush and a roller. 14K yellow gold. 1 1/2" long
Category

Vintage 1960s American More Jewelry

Materials

14k Gold

19th Century Sapphire Diamond Gold Chatelaine
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
and safety pin. The parts consist of a pillbox, perfume flacon, hair comb, needle loop, pocket knife
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Late Victorian Small Diamond-Set Tiara
Located in London, GB
gold scrolls, the base in the form of a line set with thirty-three old-cut diamonds, terminating on
Category

Antique 1880s Late Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond

Rose and White Gold Hair Comb Diamond Accents with Mother of Pearl Leaves
Located in Lake Park, FL
Jewels for the hair! Fabulous 18 karat rose and white gold hair enhancer. Featuring micro pave
Category

20th Century Other

Antique Diamond Hair Ornament
Located in New York, NY
diamond strands, and mounted in gold and silver on a three-pronged comb. This jewel is similar in design
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

En Tremblant: Victorian Diamond Hair Ornament
Located in Wimberley, TX
Hair combs and pins were designed as ornamentation for the hair...in other words, hair jewelry
Materials

Diamond

Spectacular Victorian Diamond Aigrette Hair Ornament Silver on Gold
Located in Napoli, IT
beautiful condition Testes top side all 18 KT with silver over gold for Diamond housing as used at the time
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Tortoise Fleur-de-Lis Pique Comb
Located in Middleton, WI
centuries. With all that hair, there was more room for decoration – diamonds, pearls, tiaras, feathers, and
Category

Antique 1870s British Victorian Vanity Items

Materials

Gilt Metal

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Edwardian natural pearl and diamond pendant/brooch, circa 1905.
Located in London, GB
Edwardian natural pearl and diamond pendant/brooch. An impressive convertible pendant/brooch, set to either side with two natural saltwater pearls and suspending four additional natu...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Roberto Cavalli Blue & White Ming Gown Dress with Fur Trim Wrap S/S 2005 Sz 42IT
By Roberto Cavalli
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
Roberto Cavalli Vintage Blue & White Ming Gown Dress with Fur Trim Wrap S/S 2005 Sz 42IT. This dress is marked a 42IT. Measurements not stretched reflect a small but has a lot of s...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Gowns

Emilio Jewelry Certified 168 Carat Royal Emerald Necklace And Earring Suite
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
From Emilio Jewelry, a well known and respected wholesaler/dealer located on New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue, Possessing the vibrant saturation of top quality spectrum of all emerald...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces

Materials

Emerald

Rare Christian Dior by John Galliano 2004 Piercing Hardcore Saddle Bag
By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian Dior
Located in Baar, CH
Ultra Rare Dior Hardcore Saddle Bag designed by John Galliano and manufactured for the Spring/ Summer 2004 Collection. Featured in many campaigns and on the runway, this is one of ...
Category

Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags

Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Dragonfly Brooch
By Fred Leighton
Located in New Orleans, LA
Enveloped in a sea of 60.26 carats of fancy vivid yellow diamonds is this tour de force of jewelry craftsmanship from the collaboration of jewelry legends Fred Leighton and Carvin Fr...
Category

20th Century American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Christian Dior by John Galliano Silk Organza Ruffled Dress with Bow, SS 2001
By Christian Dior, John Galliano for Christian Dior
Located in London, GB
This silk organza dress features a fitted, sleeveless silhouette with a deep V-neckline and an asymmetrical hemline. It showcases vibrant tie-dye colors in red, pink, and orange with...
Category

Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns

An embroidered floral silk and ivorine framed small handbag, English, 1920s.
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
An exquisite and unique little handbag, with a carved Bakelite and hand coloured frame, in a stylised floral motif, with a beautifully coloured silk 'floral' fabric bag. Lined in cha...
Category

1920s British Evening Bags and Minaudières

Hermes Kelly Pochette Clutch Bag Gris Elephant CrocodilePalladium Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Hermes exquisite Kelly Pochette bag featured in rare Gris Elephant Crocodile Complimented with Palladium hardware. Signature stamp on interior. Small interior compartment. Comes with...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Clutches

Borsone A Mano Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 x Takashi Murakami Monogramouflage
By Louis Vuitton
Located in Torre Del Greco, IT
Travel bag designed by Louis Vuitton, Speedy model, size 35, limited edition in collaboration with Takashi Murakami, Monogramouflage line. Made of military patterned and monogram can...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Luggage and Travel Bags

Gucci Tom Ford Era 2004 Limited Edition AD Era Bag Bamboo Chain Metallic
By Tom Ford for Gucci, Gucci
Located in Melbourne, VIC
prémode presents Gucci Tom Ford Era 2004 Bag. This limited edition bag was designed by Tom Ford for his final collection as the Creative Director for Gucci. Featuring absolutely gorg...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags

Van Cleef & Arpels 18K/Black Onyx 10 Motifs Vintage Alhambra Necklace
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K/Black Onyx 10 Motifs Vintage Alhambra Necklace Made In: France Year or Production: 2017 Materials: Black onyx and 18k yellow gold Hallmarks: VCA Au750, serial...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces

Materials

Onyx, 18k Gold

Hermes Birkin 35 White Matte Crocodile Diamond Himalayan 18K White Gold Hardware
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Up for sale is the Holy Grail Hermès Birkin 35 Diamond Himalayan. The Diamond Himalyan is the pinnacle of luxury and elegance, celebrated as one of the rarest and most exquisite hand...
Category

2010s French Top Handle Bags

Hermès Birkin 35 Marron Exotic PHW
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
Elevate your style with the timeless elegance of the Hermès Birkin 35 in Marron crocodile leather. This exquisite piece, handcrafted in 2008, features palladium hardware and shows on...
Category

Early 2000s European Top Handle Bags

Hermès Birkin 35 Marron Exotic PHW
Hermès Birkin 35 Marron Exotic PHW
H 11.03 in D 7.09 in L 13.78 in
S/S 2000 Vintage Gianni Versace Couture Jungle Print Dress Sz 42 - US 6
By Gianni Versace Couture
Located in Montgomery, TX
S/S 2000 Vintage Gianni Versace Couture Jungle Print Dress Size: IT Size 42 - US 6 Finished wit two crystal buttons on the back, Fabric stretchy. Unlined Made in Italy Condition: Exc...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses

Alexander McQueen brown leather patchwork coat with goat hair collar, A / W 2000
By Alexander McQueen
Located in London, GB
Autumn-Winter 2000
Category

1990s Italian Coats and Outerwear

RARE Gucci by Tom Ford S/S 2003 Pink Embroidered Kimono Clutch Bag Purse
By Gucci, Tom Ford for Gucci
Located in Switzerland, CH
EXTREMELY RARE „KIMONO“ Bag by TOM FORD for GUCCI SS 2003 Very rare and exclusive GUCCI signature piece Collector's Item! Pink frayed, layered silk Black hand-embroidery Mat black t...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières

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Gold And Diamonds Hair Combs For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of gold and diamonds hair combs for sale on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 14k Gold and 18k Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 19th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 20th Century. Pieces in our collection of gold and diamonds hair combs made by Victorian jewelers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — are very popular. Cartier and Kochert each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. A selection of old european cut and rose cut can be found today on these pages. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of gold and diamonds hair combs, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Gold And Diamonds Hair Combs?

Prices for gold and diamonds hair combs start at $895 and top out at $16,950 with these more-jewelry-watches, on average, selling for $5,819.

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.