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David Webb Platinum 18K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Aquarius Clip Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
An 18k gold brooch depicting the Aquarius zodiac sign. Designed as the Aquarius sign of the Zodiac
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian Peridot Diamond Drop Pendant/Brooch in 18 K Gold Silver
Located in London, GB
Antique, Victorian Peridot and diamond pendant/brooch set in 18K yellow gold and silver, with
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Silver

18K Gold and Platinum Baroque Pearl Ruby Emerald Sapphire Diamond Parrot Brooch
Located in Cape May, NJ
Era: Retro Composition: 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Primary Stone: Baroque Pearl Brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Pla...

Diamond and Emerald Toucan Gold and Platinum Pendant/Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
incredibly offbeat, fashionable appearance. The brooch is made of 18K yellow gold and platinum decorated with
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Buccellati Vintage Emerald diamond 18k Gold Flower Brooch Pin
By Gianmaria Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
shaped emerald cluster weighing approximately 6.50 carats. Sculpted diamond leaves set in 18k white and
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald

Antique Emerald and Diamond Oval Brooch in Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
antique emerald brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting. The pierced decorated
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Modern Emerald, Diamond, Sapphire, and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A modern gem set dragonfly brooch, with trembling wings, with an oval cabochon emerald, set in the
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Diamond and Onyx Parrot Pin/Brooch with Emerald Eye in 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Diamond and Onyx Parrot Pin/Brooch with Emerald Eye in 18k White Gold Diamond Parrot Pin/Brooch
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North American Brooches

Materials

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

1870s French emerald and diamond brooch
Located in London, GB
This classical French emerald and diamond brooch from circa 1870 consists of a vivid green square
Category

Antique 1870s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

1980s Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald 18K Gold Floral Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
1960s Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald 18K Gold Floral Pin Brooch See life in Vivid colors with these
Category

Vintage 1980s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

LB Exclusive 18K Yellow Gold 9.16 Ct Diamond and Emerald Flower Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This exquisite brooch is truly special. Crafted from an array of luxurious materials, this 18K
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

Diamond Emerald and Opal Yellow Gold Pendant/Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
18K yellow gold, the superb pin is adorned in gorgeous 20ct of opals, beautiful 0.85ct of emeralds and
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Brooch Pendant
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
, all set in 18k yellow gold. The brooch has a double pin back that a chain could be fed through
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

18Kt Yellow Gold, Diamonds and Emerald Swan Brooch
Located in Crema, Cremona
Gold with diamonds. The eye is made with a small emerald. - 19 diamonds of round brilliant cut, are
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Romantic Brooches

Materials

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

Antique 18k Gold Butterfly Brooch with Gemstones: Sapphire Diamonds Emerald
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage: Yes Diamond Clarity Grade: SI1-I1 Brand: Unbranded Type: Brooch Metal Purity: 18K (AU 72.91-75
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Brooches

Materials

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

LB 18k Yellow Gold 2.85ct Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald and Ruby Peacock Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
diamonds and has its tail feathers adorned with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. The brooch measures 2.5" x
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Mid Century 6 Carat Cabochon Emerald Diamond 18K White Gold Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
: 20 Diamonds Cut: Round Brilliant Weight: 0.47 Carats Color: H Clarity: VS Metal: 18K White Gold Era
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

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

1.77 Ct. Emerald and Diamond Antique Style Bee Brooch in 18K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
bee brooch is buzzing with elegance. Made in 18k white gold and adorned with an approximately 1.77
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier 18K Yellow Gold 2.10 ct Diamond, Pearl, and Emerald Dolphin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
There’s something inherently whimsical about this charming Cartier brooch. The 18K yellow gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS handsome gold, emerald and diamond brooch.
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and emerald brooch. Signed Van Cleef and Arpels, numbered 1K31-2
Category

Vintage 1970s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Antique 18K Butterfly Brooch with Diamonds, Sapphires, Emeralds and Rubies
Located in Aspen, CO
Charming antique butterfly brooch set with an oval sapphire, 10 emeralds, 30 rose cut diamonds and
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Emerald Diamond Gold Snake Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold snake brooch, set with six oval (6.1 x 4.1mm to 7.1 x 5.4mm) and one emerald cut
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold

1960s Geode Emerald Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
unique jewels in this genre. This handsome brooch has strongly styled 18karat goldwork nesting emeralds
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Quartz, 18k Gold

Emerald Diamond White Gold Floral Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
stylish brooch made of 18K white gold.
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Emerald Diamond Gold Elephant Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A precious pair of pachyderms, this vintage brooch by Cartier crafted in yellow gold and features
Category

1990s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Lb Exclusive 18k Yellow Gold Diamond, Turquoise, Emerald, and Ruby Cat Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
makes a statement at the center, while sparkling Diamond accents, an Emerald “eye,” and a Ruby “nose
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Turquoise, Yellow Gold

Coral Diamond Emerald Gold Bee Brooch
Located in Troy, MI
Exceptionally executed in 18k yellow gold is this silhouette of a bee. This designer brooch
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Diamond Emerald and Enamel Gold Panther Pendant Brooch
Located in New York, NY
18k gold and enamel panther pendant/brooch, with emerald eyes and approx. 0.70ctw in diamonds
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Enamel

Emerald Diamond Two Color Gold Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
Set upon shimmering 18K white gold to provide excellent contrast to the majestic design, the
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

DAVID WEBB gold, emerald, diamond and enamel leopard brooch.
Located in New York, NY
A fabulous Dutchess of Windsor style 18 karat yellow gold, platinum-set diamond, emerald and black
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold

David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond Pendant Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald And Diamond Pendant Brooch. Of bombé design
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Carved Emerald and Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Stylish and royal looking carved Emerald and Diamond Pendant brooch, whicg we bet you can't go
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Rhodium

Vintage Retro Diamond Emerald 18K Gold Enamel Baby Cheetah Cat Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
. Retro style diamond & emerald, cheetah motif inspired design, with black enamel accents all over the
Category

Vintage 1980s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel

2.42Ct Diamond 0.52Ct Emerald, 18k White Gold Brooch - Vintage Circa 1950
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 2.42 carat diamond and 0.52 carat, 18 karat white gold brooch in the form of
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

A Beautiful Platinum, Diamond, Emerald and Gold Butterfly Brooch.
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, platinum, diamond and emerald butterfly brooch, French, circa 1930
Category

Vintage 1930s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Lb Exclusive 18k Yellow Gold 3.50 Carat Diamond and Emerald Heart Pendant Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
, this LB Exclusive 18K Yellow Gold 3.50 ct Diamond and 2.50 ct Emerald Heart Pendant Brooch comes with a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold

MAUBOUSSIN Emerald and Diamond Flower Brooch
By Mauboussin
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
A beautiful period brooch, with a lovely mix of platinum and textured yellow gold, topped by a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Amethyst Diamond Emerald Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
amethyst and creating flair to the piece are 4.07 carats of diamonds set in 18K yellow gold on the feathers
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Enamel, Diamond and Emerald Tiger Brooch
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
enamel stripes, while the white diamond collar sits in 18 karat white gold and the eyes are studded with
Category

Vintage 1980s Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire Diamond Emerald Fish Fur Clip Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A striking and whimsical 18K yellow gold diamond sapphire fish brooch. The body is pave set round
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Emerald Ruby Sapphire and Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An Antique 18 karat gold butterfly brooch with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Van Cleef Arpels 18k Gold Brooch Pin Clip Emerald Diamond
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Elegant feminine clip created by Van Cleef & Arpels in the 1980s. Made of 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1980s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gold Diamond Emerald Ruby Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold brooch, with emerald and ruby cabochon and approx. 0.40ctw in diamonds. Tested 18k
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold

GRS Certified 8 Carat Ruby, Diamond and Emerald Flamingo Brooch in 18K Brooch
Located in Bangkok, TH
An elegant cabochon ruby, diamond and emerald flamingo bow brooch made with 14 karat gold. The
Category

2010s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold

Diamond, Emerald, and Sapphire Lion Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A textured gold lion set with 21 round brilliant cut diamonds, three round blue sapphires and two
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

David Webb Emerald Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18k Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Emerald Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18k Brooch Large cabochon emerald (13.5 x 20 mm) of
Category

Late 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

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

Aquamarine, Diamond and Emerald Flower Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat white gold, aquamarine, diamond and emerald brooch. Designed as a pave set diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Snake Brooch 18k Gold Emerald, Sapphire Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Orlando, FL
Victorian 18K Gold Snake & Flower Brooch with Emeralds, Sapphire, and Rose Cut Diamonds – ca. Mid
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Emerald Diamond Set Bee Brooch in Gold
Located in London, England
A beautifully crafted diamond and emerald bee brooch set in 18ct yellow and white gold. With
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Emerald Diamond Silver Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, sterling silver, emerald and diamond brooch. Attributed to Marilyn
Category

1990s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Green Sapphire, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Diamond Onyx Emerald Gold Panther Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold panther brooch, decorated with emerald eyes, onyx and approx. 1.40ctw in diamonds
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Garnet Emerald Diamond Gold Turtle Lapel Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
This estate Retro lapel brooch of immaculate craftsmanship is constructed in 18K yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, 18k Gold

MARILYN COOPERMAN Yellow Gold, Silver, Emerald and Diamond Brooch
By Marilyn Cooperman
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, silver, emerald and diamond brooch, Marilyn Cooperman. Designed as a
Category

1990s North American Brooches

Materials

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

French Platinum 18K White Gold Diamond Ruby Emerald Bird Duette Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Rare French platinum 18K white gold diamond ruby emerald 2-bird duette brooch. The gorgeous piece
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Sapphire, Emerald and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A sapphire, emerald and diamond butterfly brooch, with a rose-cut diamond set thorax, weighing an
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

0.62Ct Emerald and 18k Yellow Gold Mourning Brooch - Antique Victorian
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.62 carat emerald and 18 karat yellow gold mourning brooch
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lapis, Diamond, Emerald and Gold Bee Brooch or Pendant
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold brooch or pendant in the shape of a bee, its wings and body are set with beatiful
Category

Vintage 1980s French Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k 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.