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Mother of Pearl, Diamond, Emerald and Ruby Turtle Pin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lovely 18 karat yellow gold Turtle Pin featuring a mother of pearl shell highlighted with small
Category

20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Multicolored Toucan Bird Brooch
Located in Melbourne, AU
This beautiful brooch features a Toucan bird with multi-colour stones in 18K yellow gold setting
Category

Vintage 1950s German Retro Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gem Encrusted Italian Magi Brooch
Located in Milano, IT
A yellow gold Magi brooch, ebony headed, with diamonds and emeralds. Venice.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Edwardian Pearl Diamond Multi Gem Set Crown Brooch
Located in Bangkok, TH
An excellent condition antique Edwardian style brooch crafted in 18kt white gold. The four precious
Category

Mid-20th Century British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Impressive Colored Stone Pearl Gold Brooch
By Helen Ringus
Located in TRYON, NC
cultured pearls and eight 5-point diamonds. The total length of the brooch is 2 3/4 inches and the width
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold-Silver Flower "Vibrate" Brooch, London, Amsterdam, 1865
Located in Heerlen, NL
- Netherland or England ca 1865 - 18K. Yellow gold and Silver (Sterling) - 12 natural emaralds 1.20
Category

Antique 1860s Dutch Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

18 Karat Gold, Enamel and Gem-Set Tiger Brooch
By David Webb
Located in Greenwich, CT
Crouching tiger brooch in 18k yellow gold with black enamel stripes, the collar and forehead in
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Cartier "Couple Inséparable" Birds Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Zurich, CH
diamonds. In 18K yellow gold Signature: Cartier Paris 18KTS
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Owl Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Zurich, CH
Van Cleef & Arpels, beautiful 1950s owl brooch. Emerald cabochon as eye's, with diamonds colorless
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Hermès Paris Duck Flight Brooch
By Hermès
Located in Beziers, FR
A Diamond Emerald and Sapphire Gold brooch in the shape of a duck flight. Signed "Hermès Paris" and
Category

Vintage 1970s French Brooches

Materials

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

Amethyst Diamond Gold Platinum Pin
Located in Berlin, DE
18 rose-cut diamonds with a total weight of 0,48 ct. Mounted in 18 K red gold and platinum. Total
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Portuguese Sacred Heart Brooch
Located in London, GB
A ruby, emerald and diamond set sacred heart brooch. Associated with the Portuguese Order of Christ
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Portuguese Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

GIA 6 Carat About Burma Jadeite Jade Type A 18k White Gold Brooch
Located in LA, CA
18K White Gold 9.46gm / 6ct About Burma Jadeite Jade Type A / 0.40ct about Diamonds EF VS Quality
Category

2010s Brooches

Materials

Jade, White Gold

Timeless Scottie Dog Diamond and Gemstone Gold Pin Looking For Forever Home
Located in Palm Beach, FL
yellow gold and accented with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and amethysts all cabochons, calibrated
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Gemstone Dearest 18 Carat Gold circa 1900 Boxed Brooch
Located in Lancaster , GB
: 45mm across x 14mm down METAL: 18ct Yellow Gold/ Silver STONES: Diamond/ Emerald/ Amethyst/ Ruby
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Late Victorian Gemset Moth Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful example of late-Victorian naturalistic jewelry. This moth brooch is set with diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Emerald, Aquamarine, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Parrot Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Zurich, CH
an eye, round colorless diamonds and onyx. In 18K yellow gold Signature: VCA 750, B1409 I18
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold

Amber, Yellow Sapphire and Diamonds, Tsavorites Set in 18 Karat Gold and Silver
Located in Geneva, Geneva
Mounted in 18k blackened gold and silver - 1 Amber - Yellow sapphires: 10.73 ct total - Emeralds: 14.65
Category

2010s Swiss Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Amber, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Peridot, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k...

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

1950s Diamond Gold Hummingbird Pin
Located in San Francisco, CA
gold *Emerald eye *Single cut diamonds *Approximately .25ct diamond
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Sworn Enemies Titanium Master Serpent Brooch
By Stephen Webster
Located in London, GB
cobras are sculpted from Titanium and 18 carat Gold, inlayed with carved Green Agate and White Mother of
Category

2010s British Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Agate, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Titanium, White...

Superb Diamond-Set Frog Brooch, by E. Wolfe Co. Retailed by Asprey s
By E. Wolfe Company
Located in Kenley surrey, GB
This fine quality vintage gold brooch has been produced in 18 carat yellow gold. E. Wolfe & Co is a
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Crown of the Doge of Venice Brooch
Located in London, GB
is spectacular, set with 9 Diamonds, 3 Emeralds and 2 Rubies in the Crown and countless Rubies in the
Category

Antique 1870s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

CARTIER. A Gem-Set Bird Of Paradise Brooch.
Located in London, GB
crest pavé-set with brilliant-cut diamonds, accented with an emerald eye, the tail and foliate perch
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold, Square Cut Diamond and Sapphire Bar Pin
By Cartier
Located in Red Bank, NJ
This Beautiful Vintage Cartier Bar Pin Will Highlight Any Outfit! 18 Karat Yellow Gold, With
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Gem Encrusted Sea Horse Brooch Lapel Pin
By Nancy Phillips
Located in Eugene, OR
. This work of art has over 7 carats of Blue & Green Sapphires, Emeralds and Diamonds. Pictures are
Category

2010s Thai Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold

Basket Brooch with Multi Gem Flowers and Cultured Pearls
Located in London, GB
This 18ct Gold flower basket brooch is set with Diamonds,. Sapphires, ,Emeralds and Rubies and
Category

Vintage 1920s Austrian Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

18 Karat Gold Gem-Set Scrolled Quatrefoil Brooch
By David Webb
Located in Greenwich, CT
, accented by smaller circular-cut diamonds. The brooch in hand-hammered 18k yellow gold and platinum
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Gemstone Brooch 18 Karat Yellow White Gold
Located in Geneva, CH
We are delighted to present to you our exquisite Elegant 18k Yellow and White Gold Brooch, a true
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

White Gold

Edwardian Style Brooch/Pendant Bow
Located in McLean, VA
This fabulous piece has beautifully preserved filigree work and is center set with six emerald cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

T. Foster Co. Enamel and Diamond Bee Motif Pin
By T. Foster Co.
Located in Yardley, PA
18 karat yellow and white gold bee pin with black onyx eyes and a cabochon emerald nose. 20 round
Category

Early 2000s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Vintage 20th Butterfly Old Mine cut Diamond 2.02 Ctw Cultured Pearl Platinum 18K
Located in Valencia, Comunidad Valenciana
Beautiful butterfly with movement made of platinum and detail in gold 18 Karats, weight 23.29 grams
Category

20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique French Victorian Butterfly Brooch Tanzanite, circa 1870
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
18ct Gold and complete with French hallmark on the reverse. This is a truly stunning French brooch, a
Category

Antique 1870s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Georgian Key to My Heart Rare 18 Karat Acrostic Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
Metal: 18 Kt yellow gold, tested Hallmarks: none/worn Gems: 2 rubies 1 garnet 1 emerald 1 amethyst
Category

Antique Early 1800s British Georgian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Gem-Set and Pearl Monkey Pin
Located in Nashua, NH
18K Yellow Gold Gem-set and Pearl Monkey Pin. The monkey is pave set with 19 full cut diamonds
Category

20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Signed Cartier Vintage Trembleuse Brooch Moveable Flower That Opens or Closes
By Cartier
Located in Antwerp, BE
for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838. Dimensions
Category

Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Ye...

16.48 Carat Diamond and Pearl Kangaroo "Skippy"
By Shreve, Crump Low
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat rose gold "Skippy" the kangaroo consisting of round diamonds weighing a total of 16.48
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

French 1930s Diamond Butterfly Pin
Located in New York, NY
wings accented with circular-cut diamonds and cabochon emeralds (25 diamonds weighing approximately 1.50
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Diamond Pearl Ruby Swan Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum and 18 karat yellow gold swan pin featuring one large natural Mississippi mud pearl to
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Brown Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Cartier Citrine Diamond Clip
By Cartier
Located in Atlanta, GA
Art Deco Platinum, 18 Karat Gold, Citrine and Diamond Clip Brooch by Cartier, circa 1935 • Signed
Category

Vintage 1940s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Free Bird Pin/Dress Clip
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Spilla Uccellini Liberi - Free Bird Pin/Dress Clip. 18k yellow gold, diamonds and emeralds, with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Hermes Flying Goose Pin
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
18kt Gold Flying Goose pin set with Emeralds, Sapphires and Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

French Songbird Pin
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant and personable Bird Pin features diamonds, a carved ruby leaf, emerald eye and
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

French Victorian Four Leaf Gem Clover Spray Pin
Located in London, GB
, emerald and diamond respectively, within a delicate foliate surround set with rose- and circular-cut
Category

French Brooches

Materials

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

Plique-a-jour Dragonfly Pin
By Shreve, Crump Low
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat yellow gold dragonfly pin consisting of plique-a-jour wings set with old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

CARTIER LONDON Opal Sapphire Love Birds
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
Designed as two birds each with a black opal chest, the carved gold heads each accented with a
Category

Vintage 1960s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1960s Pair of Italian Mushroom Pins
Located in London, GB
18ct Gold Pins are set with Diamonds, Cabochon Rubies , Emerald and Sapphires
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Jeweled Butterfly Pin
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18k gold and silver emerald, diamond and ruby encrusted pin with an opal center.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Fish Lunching On A Peal
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in New York City, NY
18K brooch with an array of sapphires, tsavorites and yellow diamonds. Fins, cap and tail with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

1970s Italian Emerald Sapphire Diamond Gold Earrings and Brooch Set
Located in Roma, IT
Italy, 1970s. Comprising earrings and brooch in yellow gold 18K with cabochon cut emeralds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Italian Sapphire Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Earrings and Brooch set
Located in Roma, IT
The set comprising a pair of earrings and a brooch. Italy. Yellow gold 18K set with diamonds
Category

20th Century Italian Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Emerald and Diamond Fish Pendant or Brooch
Located in Pikesville, MD
A whimsical and beautiful 18 karat yellow gold puckering fish pendant that doubles as a brooch
Category

1990s Italian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby and Diamond Clover Pendant / Brooch
Located in Essex, GB
. Metal – The diamonds are set in silver. The gem settings and the reverse of the brooch is 9 karat gold
Category

Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Yell...

18k White and Rose Gold with Tanzanite Pink Tourmaline Emeralds Diamond Ring
Located in GALLARATE, IT
in Italy by Stanoppi Jewellery since 1948. Artisan Ring in 18k white and rose gold with Emeralds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, ...

Gold Diamonds and Emeralds Vintage Gold Set
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A very lovely vintage set, made in France circa 1960/70. Made in yellow gold 18K, hallmarks for
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

Victorian Emerald Diamond Pendant or Brooch, circa 1860
Located in London, GB
18ct gold and silver set Victorian, Diamond and Emerald Pendant or Brooch circa 1860 Floral and
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Silver

3.86 Carat Emerald Diamond 18 Karat White Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Brooch Pendant
By Butani
Located in Hong Kong, Kowloon
& Yellow Gold 150 Round Diamonds: 4.43 carats 30 Oval Emeralds: 4.81 carats 34 Rose-cut Pear Diamonds: 3.55
Category

2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cuff Bracelets

Materials

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

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18k Gold Diamond And Emerald Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact 18k gold diamond and emerald brooch you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect 18k gold diamond and emerald brooch may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. For this particular piece, 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. A 18k gold diamond and emerald brooch from Van Cleef Arpels, David Webb and Cartier — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also emerald cut and cabochon versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a 18k gold diamond and emerald brooch, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a 18k Gold Diamond And Emerald Brooch?

The price for a 18k gold diamond and emerald brooch starts at $460 and tops out at $350,000 with these brooches, on average, selling for $6,500.

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 Brooches for You

Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.

While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like GucciVersaceDior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step. 

Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.

At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.

Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.

Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.