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Victorian Silver Diamond Earrings

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Victorian 14K Gold & Silver Pearl Diamond Drop Earring
Located in Flushing, NY
Victorian 14K Gold & Silver Pearl Diamond Drop Earring Approximate Dimensions: 5.2 cm (Length
Category

20th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian silver and 2.00 cts. rose - cut diamond earrings
Located in Braintree, GB
A pair of exquisite antique Victorian silver and diamond earrings, each designed in an elegant
Category

Antique 1870s European Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver

Antique 18ct Gold & Silver Victorian Diamond Daisy Drop Earrings
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Diamond Drop Earrings 18ct Gold & Silver Circa 1880 Fabulous, Victorian Diamond Drop
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian Spanish 18K Gold and Silver Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Venice, CA
. At the top of the earrings is a leaf with a silver set Rose Cut diamond surrounded by a gold
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Spanish Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian 6.0 Ct Diamond Drop Earrings 18 Kt Silver
Located in Napoli, IT
This magnificent pair of Diamond drop earrings are Victorian era, 1870 circa Hand crafted during
Category

Antique 1870s European Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Provençal diamond drop earrings, 18 karat gold and silver
Located in PARIS, FR
Provençal diamond drop earrings in 18 karat gold and silver. Pair of pendants set with antique
Category

Antique 1870s French Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Silver Gold Drop Stud Earrings, Antique, 1900s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Fabulous Victorian diamond drop stud earrings. Made of 14 karat (stamped) yellow gold and silver
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Era 4.20ct Diamond Earrings, Silver and Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
A stunning pair of Victorian-era chandelier diamond earrings, exquisitely crafted in silver on 18k
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Drop Earring
Located in London, GB
Here we have an outstanding pair of diamond drop earrings dating back to the early Victorian period
Category

Antique 19th Century Early Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Pave Diamond Bead Earring 14k Gold&925 Silver Diamond Earring Victorian Style.
Located in Chicago, IL
Pave Diamond Bead Earring 14k Gold&925 Silver Diamond Earring Victorian Style. Base Metal Sterling
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold

Victorian style uncut rose cut diamond oxidized 925 silver dangler earrings
Located in Delhi, DL
A Victorian style uncut rose cut diamond silver earrings. This striking handmade antique look
Category

2010s Asian Early Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver

925 Sterling Silver Rose Cut Diamond Hoop Earring Handmade Victorian Style
Located in Chicago, IL
925 Sterling Silver Rose Cut Diamond Hoop Earring Handmade Victorian Style Gift Light weight can be
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver

Victorian Style Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Statement Victorian inspired chandelier earrings. 2 rose cut diamonds and 2 round cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian Era inspired RoseCut Diamond & Pave Diamond Earring in Gold and Silver
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Era inspired RoseCut Diamond & Pave Diamond Earring in Gold and Silver is stunning, bold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

14K Gold & Silver, Black Onyx, Ruby, Tanzanite & Diamonds Victorian Earrings
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very gorgeous and one of a kind, Black Onyx, Ruby & Tanzanite Victorian earrings set in 14K Gold
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian 2.69 Carat Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of silver and gold earrings from the Victorian era feature sparkling old mine
Category

20th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Silver on Gold Old European Cut Diamond Victorian Drop Statement Earrings
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Silver on Gold Old European Cut Diamond Antique Victorian Drop Statement Earrings
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Diamond Cluster Silver on 14 Carat Gold Victorian Style Drop Earrings
Located in London, GB
Presenting a magnificent pair of Victorian reproduction dangle earrings, finely crafted from
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian floral cluster design 18kt gold and silver diamond hook earrings
Located in Braintree, GB
diamonds, creating a striking floral motif. The 2.3 cm x 1.2 cm earrings are finely crafted with delicate
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Vintage Victorian Diamond Silver on Yellow Gold Earrings Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Antique Victorian Drop Earrings. Securely Hand set with 42 Rose cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian 18K Gold & Silver Emerald, Diamond, Ruby & Pearl Scarab Earrings
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A pair of antique yellow gold, silver, emerald, ruby, diamond, and pearl earrings, each comprising
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Crystal Emerald & Diamond Chandelier Victorian Earrings Set in 14K Gold & Silver
By JEWEL HUB
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A very beautiful and one of a kind pair of Crystal & Diamonds Victorian Chandelier earrings set in
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Crystal, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 14k Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Antique earrings featuring intricate round designs. Crafted with a detailed arrangement of small
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

1850s English Early Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Silver Gold Drop Earrings
Located in London, GB
Early Victorian rose cut diamond drop earrings. A matching pair, each set with forty mixed rose cut
Category

Antique 1850s British Victorian Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 18K Gold & Silver 4.67ctw Old Cut Diamond Cluster Earrings
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A pair of Victorian diamond, silver, and yellow gold earrings, each comprising nine large old cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Natural Sapphire Rose cut Diamond Drop Earrings 18 KT/Silver
Located in Napoli, IT
These beautiful antique earrings are 1890 circa Hand crafted of solid 18 KT silver topped
Category

Antique 1890s European Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian 1.63 Ct Old Mine Diamond Solitaire Stud Earrings Silver/Gold
Located in Napoli, IT
Exquisite pair of Victorian period Diamond studs earrings, 1890 ca. Hand crafted of solid 18 KT
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Diamond Dangle Earrings in Victorian Style
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
Diamond Dangle Earrings in Victorian Style This Victorian period art-deco atypical polki diamond
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Persian Turquoise Necklace Earrings Set Diamond Silver
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A gorgeous antique set featuring Persian turquoise and rose cut diamond staged in silver. The
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Dangle Earrings

Materials

Turquoise, Diamond, Silver

Cushion Cut Diamond Earrings Victorian Silver and Gold, Antique Estate Jewelry
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A pair of Victorian silver and 14k gold earrings, featuring antique cushion cut diamonds. These
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Silver Set 2.33 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 Diamond Earrings measuring 1/2 inch in length, silver Basket settings with a Lever
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver

Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond Flower Earrings
Located in Great Neck, NY
Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond Flower Earrings. These beautiful
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Style Onyx & Diamond Snake Earrings
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Statement Victorian inspired snake dangle earrings. Approximately 2.40 carats of round cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, Silver

1900 Victorian 18k Gold over Silver Old Mine Cut Diamond Earrings
Located in Lexington, KY
old mine-cut diamonds in silver over gold starburst-shaped earrings. The top of the earrings features
Category

Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver

Victorian 3.82ct Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning pair of silver and gold earrings. The earrings feature sparkling 2 large old
Category

20th Century Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Flower Earrings, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Victorian diamond flower earrings. A matching pair, set to centre with one cushion shape old mine
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian 6.05 CTW Peridot Diamond Silver 14K Gold Antique Halo Drop Earrings
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as drop style earrings centering rectangular cushion cut peridots Weighing approximately
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in London, GB
Here we have an exquisite pair of antique diamond drop earrings from the Victorian period. Each
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

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

Antique Polki Diamond Earrings Natural Diamond Victorian Diamond Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Victorian Polki Diamond Earrings Natural Diamond polki Price listed for pair of Earrings
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver

Victorian Style Moonstone & Diamond Chandelier Earrings
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Statement Victorian inspired chandelier earrings. Approximately 4.80 carats of round cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Chandelier Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, Silver

Antique Polki Diamond Earrings Natural Diamond Victorian Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Victorian Polki Diamond enamel Earrings Natural Diamond polki Price listed for pair of
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Victorian Silver Over Gold and 7.50 Carat Diamond Star Cluster Earrings C.1850s
Located in New York, NY
Victorian 7.50ct Old Mine and Old Euro Cut Diamond Silver and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Star Earrings c
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian More Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold, Silver

Victorian Natural Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Napoli, IT
Charming pair of Victorian era long drop earrings – Hand crafted of solid 18 Kt gold topped by
Category

Antique 19th Century European Early Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver

Mid-Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in Hummelstown, PA
These romantic mid-Victorian diamond pendant earrings are composed of a course of four graduated
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian diamond cluster pendant earrings
Located in London, GB
Victorian diamond cluster earrings. A matching pair of earrings, each set centrally with a cushion
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian 18kt Diamond Teardrop Earrings 7.26ctw
Located in Narberth, PA
Exquisite hanging diamond earrings from the Victorian (ca1880) era! These incredible teardrop
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

2.43 Carat Victorian Style Diamond Huggies Earrings
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
2.43 Carat Victorian Style Diamond Huggies Earrings This Victorian style art-deco diamond hoop
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Polki Diamond Earring Natural Diamond Victorian earrings pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Polki Diamond Earring Natural Diamond Victorian earrings pair Price listed for pair A
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Polki Diamond Earring Natural Diamond Victorian earrings pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Polki Diamond Earring Natural Diamond Victorian earrings pair Price listed for pair A
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Hoop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver

Victorian Diamond Rose Gold Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Victorian 18K rose gold over silver, diamond earrings, domed shape, set with 34 European round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold Plate, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold and Silver Blue Enamel & Old Cut Diamond Earrings
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A pair of Victorian diamond, enamel, silver, and yellow gold earrings, each comprising one old mine
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

Victorian Style Diamond and Ruby Dangle Earrings
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
Victorian Style Diamond and Ruby Dangle Earrings This Victorian style wine red ruby and diamond
Category

2010s Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Dangle Earrings 19th C (1890)
Located in OVIEDO, AS
ANTIQUE ORIGINAL VICTORIAN DIAMOND DANGLE EARRINGS Late 19th Century. Measuring 42mm (1.65 inches
Category

Antique 1890s European Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Polki Diamond Earrings Natural Diamond Victorian enamel Earrings
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Victorian Polki Diamond enamel Earrings Natural Diamond polki Price listed for pair of
Category

2010s Indian Art Deco Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel

English Victorian Diamond Flower Earrings
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
charming pair of vintage earrings.

 Condition: Very Good Era: Victorian Year: 1837-1901 Metal: Silver
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 9k Gold, Silver

Rose Cut Diamond Earring in Victorian Style
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Diamond Rose Cut 1.88 Carat Diamond Rounds 1.48 Carat Gold 18 K 5.14 Grams Silver 6.42 Grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Rose Cut Diamond Earring in Victorian Style
By GEM PLAZA
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
Rose Cut Diamond 1.08 Carat Round Diamond 1.34 Carat 18 K Yellow Gold 4.86 Grams Silver 2.33 Grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian 84.01ct T.W Sapphire and Diamond Dangle Earrings in 18k Gold, Silver
Located in New York, NY
The gleam of sapphires and sparkling diamonds is always a wining combination. These Victorian
Category

2010s Victorian Dangle Earrings

Materials

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

Victorian Style Oval Rose Cut Diamond Drop Earrings
Located in BEVERLY HILLS, CA
Statement Victorian inspired drop earrings. Vintage high jewelry. Stunning oval rose cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Victorian Drop Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian 25.05 Carat T.W Tanzanite & Diamond Stud Earrings in 18k Gold, Silver
Located in New York, NY
These Victorian studs are resplendent with two oval shaped tanzanite cabochons together weighing
Category

2010s Victorian Stud Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

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Victorian Silver Diamond Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of victorian silver diamond earrings for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from gold, silver and 18k gold — can elevate any look. Our collection of these items for sale includes 734 vintage editions and 319 modern creations to choose from as well. Our collection, which features older pieces for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century, has proven very popular over the years. The designs in our inventory of victorian silver diamond earrings bearing Victorian or Art Deco hallmarks are very popular. Gems Paradise, Artisan NYC and Manjrie each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. There are many rose cut, old mine cut and round cut victorian silver diamond earrings for sale. There aren’t many items for men in our collection of victorian silver diamond earrings, as most of the options available are for women.

How Much are Victorian Silver Diamond Earrings?

Prices for victorian silver diamond earrings can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $1 and can go as high as $1,150,000, while victorian silver diamond earrings, on average, fetch $3,890.

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.