Diamond Earrings
Late 18th Century Portuguese Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Late 18th Century Spanish Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Artisan Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Early 17th Century North American Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier Southeast Asian Artisan Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Thai Art Deco Antique Diamond Earrings
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 1600s Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire
Late 18th Century European Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
1780s Spanish Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Gold
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, White Gold, Silver
16th Century Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Platinum, Silver
Late 18th Century Spanish Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Early 17th Century Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Gold
Early 17th Century Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 17th Century European Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 15k Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century Belle Époque Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1790s European Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, 15k Gold, Silver
Late 18th Century European Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
1780s Spanish Baroque Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
17th Century Asian Baroque Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
1780s English George IV Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 17th Century British Art Deco Antique Diamond Earrings
Citrine, Diamond, Silver, 14k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Thai Modern Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier Thai Art Deco Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
18th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 18th Century North American Modern Antique Diamond Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
15th Century and Earlier Spanish Classical Roman Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Gold
15th Century and Earlier Greek Byzantine Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 18th Century Victorian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
17th Century Modern Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold
17th Century Modern Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
1750s English Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 15k Gold, Sterling Silver
15th Century and Earlier Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
1750s Unknown Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
18th Century Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
1770s Unknown Modern Antique Diamond Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
16th Century Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Rose Gold, Silver, 9k Gold
15th Century and Earlier Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
16th Century Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Italian Contemporary Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Mid-18th Century Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver
15th Century and Earlier Thai Classical Greek Antique Diamond Earrings
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Bronze
Early 17th Century Romantic Antique Diamond Earrings
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Palla...
15th Century and Earlier Thai Artisan Antique Diamond Earrings
White Diamond, Gold
18th Century American Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, Silver, Gold
Late 18th Century British Georgian Antique Diamond Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique and Vintage Diamond Earrings for Sale on 1stDibs
Dazzling antique or vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. (Who doesn't pine for a good pair of diamond studs?) 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). With respect to a reliable pair of diamond studs, however, they're going to deliver the perfect amount of sparkle and joy every time you put them on, whether you start out with a one-carat total weight pair for your Sweet 16 or treat yourself to five carats total weight later in life. And you don’t need to be fixated on the color and clarity grade of the diamonds in your studs (admirers of your jewelry are rarely going to be close enough to your ear to inspect the details).
Earrings are the best type of jewelry to give or receive. For one thing, unlike rings for your finger, they’re basically one size fits all.
Your favorite pairs of diamond drop earrings or diamond hoops are also easier to wear than a necklace, which requires coordination with the neckline of the dress, top or jacket it accompanies. In addition, earrings are more eye-catching than bracelets: Even the most beautiful bangle can be overlooked on the wrist, while earrings, worn on either side of your face, are almost 100 percent guaranteed to be noticed, especially the stunning ones.
Although the term is often misapplied, true drop earrings are characterized by a long lean line ending in a pear-shaped stone — such as a diamond — that drops just below the earlobe. These accessories were popular in the Art Deco era, which encompassed the 1920s and ’30s and ushered in a very distinct look in jewelry design.
Diamond stud earrings are a jewelry-box essential — they're so timeless and indispensable that many people upgrade the size of their diamond studs every few years or to celebrate key milestones. A tip: Butterfly backs, or spring clutch backs (aka la poussé), are the easiest to manage. Screw-back posts are cumbersome and fiddly, especially if you’re dressing in a hurry.
Find antique and vintage diamond dangle earrings, diamond chandelier earrings and other diamond earrings today on 1stDibs.
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