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Vintage Handmade 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Eyes Black Enamel Fox Brooch
Located in Houston, TX
yellow gold animal diamond vintage brooch. Engraved with "Italy" and "18K". In excellent condition
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Roberto Casarin 18k Gold Tourmaline Amethyst Period Flower Diamond Brooch Pin
By Roberto Casarin
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely breathtaking, all original, statement brooch crafted in solid 18k yellow
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1960s diamonds and gold leaves brooch
Located in Milano, MI
gold two tone - Huit-huit cut diamonds for 1ct total c.a. - Finely hand-made - Stamped ITALY 18K
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Ruby Sapphire and Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Dragon Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
sapphire, hot enamel and 18 karat yellow gold dragon brooch; part of our diverse jewelry collections This
Category

Vintage 1980s Brooches

Materials

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

Mid-Century Precious Coral Sapphire Diamond Pendant/Brooch 18K Yellow Gold 1960s
Located in Lisbon, PT
Mid-Century Precious Coral, Sapphire and Diamond Convertible Pendant/Brooch in 18K Gold, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18k White Gold with Tanzanite Pink Tourmaline Emeralds Diamonds Elegant Brooch
Located in GALLARATE, IT
in Italy by Stanoppi Jewellery since 1948. Artisan Brooch in white gold with Emerald (oval cut size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

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

1970s Italian Coral Lapis and Diamond 18 Karat Gold Crescent Brooch
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
the era's exuberant approach to jewelry design. Crafted from textured 18 karat gold, its intricate
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Gold

Large 18K Textured Diamond Bow Brooch
Located in Winter Springs, FL
gold and set with approximately 2.25cttw in G-I color Vs clarity diamonds. It has been beautifullly
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

BVLGARI ITALY 18K YG, Cabochon Ruby, Diamond Ancient Roman Monete Coin Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Bvlgari Italy 18K Yellow Gold, Cabochon Ruby & Diamond Ancient Roman Coin Monete Brooch Circa 1980s
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Tiffany Co 18k Italy Brooch about 33 x 24mm
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Discover the timeless elegance of this Tiffany Co. brooch Marked: Tiffany Co 18k Italy
Category

1990s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970 s Diamond Chalcedony 18K Yellow Gold Turtle Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
crafted in 18K yellow gold. Weighing 15.0 grams and measuring 1.5" x 1". The body of this exquisite
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Enamel Work Large Detailed Grasshopper Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
- 0.10ctw (approx.) Material: 18k Solid Yellow Gold - Italian Gold - Green Enamel Work Total Weight: 29.8
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 18K Gold Ruby and Diamond Safety Pin Brooch, Circa 1910-1930
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian 18 karat gold safety pin with central square rubies and diamonds / Made in Italy
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Italian Vintage Enamel Diamond Squirrel Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Whimsical vintage Italian made 18k gold brooch, depicting a squirrel. Brooch is decorated with
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Ruby, Diamond, and Emerald Italian Flag Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A chic Italian flag brooch encrusted in rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. Made in Italy.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Fancy Gray Diamond Rose Brooch in 18k Blackened White Gold, 8.80 Carats
By Assor Gioielli
Located in Honolulu, HI
Gorgeous vintage diamond rose brooch in 18K white. This is a stunning brooch of a rose covered in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium

HUGE Tiffany Co 18k Italy Pearl Brooch 61x60 mm
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Discover the elegance of this exquisite Tiffany Co. brooch, crafted in 1996. Featuring a
Category

1990s American Brooches

Materials

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

Bulgari Gold and Diamond Spiral Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
This intriguing brooch by Bulgari is set with six-and-a-half carats of round brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Brooches

Materials

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

Signed Gio Caroli Diamond 18k Gold Rose Flower Brooch Pin Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Vintage Designer GIO CAROLI Rose Brooch. Hand crafted in rich 18K Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Textured Wreath Brooch with Round Ruby and Diamond Accents Two Tone 18K Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This elegant vintage brooch is shaped as a sculpted wreath, brought to life with richly textured 18
Category

20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

ITALIAN 1970 Modernist Doggy Clip-Brooch In 18Kt Gold With Diamonds Gemstones
Located in Miami, FL
/.999 gold and signed as follow: "ITALY 18KT". Collateral: This brooch is accompanied by a presentation
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Ruby Diamond Gold Floral Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted floral brooch in 18kt white gold with cabochon rubies (30 cts total) and diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Giovane Italy 18 Karat Gold Mouse Brooch, 9.75 Carat Beaded Rubies and Diamonds
By Giovane
Located in New York, NY
/classical workmanship. The 18 karat yellow gold mouse is set with 9.75 carats of beaded rubies and 2.00
Category

1990s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Natural Turquoise Diamond Gold Pendant Brooch Necklace
By Margherita Burgener
Located in Valenza , IT
Hand carved pendant in natural turquoise 18 kt white gold and diamonds, it can be worn either as a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Giovane Italy 18KT Gold, 4.27 Carat Emeralds and 1.53 Carat Diamond Bee Brooch
By Giovane
Located in New York, NY
workmanship. The 18 karat yellow gold bee is set with 4.72 carats of beaded emeralds and 1.53 carats of
Category

1990s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Diamond Green Tourmaline Sapphire Beetle Fur Clip Brooch
Located in New York, NY
1990s 18K yellow gold diamond tourmaline Beetle fur clip brooch. Beetle boasts diamond encrusted
Category

1990s Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Trio Diamond Pink Coral 18K Gold Flower Star Large Brooch Pin
By Trio
Located in Miami, FL
piece is crafted in solid 18K yellow gold. Centered by a genuine cabochon oval channeled pink Coral
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond and Iolite Gold Bowtie Brooch
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
glow of 18K gold. The sculpted bow silhouette adds classic charm while the clean geometry of the
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Iolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Vintage 2.78ct Diamond and 18ct White Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive vintage Italian 2.78 carat diamond and 18 carat white gold brooch
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Oval-Shaped White Gold and Diamond Brooch
Located in Milano, Lombardia
beautiful combination of white gold and diamonds, this brooch offers both elegance and refined craftsmanship.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Gold Enamel Large Brooch Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Large Italian-made 18k gold brooch with hidden bale. Adorned with multi color enamel (minor loss is
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Enamel

Italian .33ctw Diamond Pinwheel Jabot Pin, 18K Yellow Gold, Length 3.25 Inches
Located in McLeansville, NC
Stamps: 18 ITALY (slightly obscured) A Couple Of Things to Note: * This is a vintage item and may show
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Handcraft Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 18 karat white brooch.Handmade by artisans assembled with diamonds Brooch
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Aquamarine Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
This sophisticated brooch is a masterful creation in 18-karat white gold, featuring an exuberant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold

Jade Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
elegance. The combination of jade, diamonds, and 18-karat white gold makes this brooch not just a piece of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamonds Turquoise White Gold 18 Karat Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Splendid brooch designed first and then handcrafted by expert artisans in the sector, made of 18
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold

Turquoise Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, IT
white gold mounted with diamonds and turquoise. A particular brooch to wear on an elegant dress that
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold

Coral Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Beautiful Brooch umbrella of 18 Karat white gold and studded with natural white brilliants with one
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Coral, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cellino White Diamond Bow Yellow Gold Brooch
By Cellino
Located in Stamford, CT
From Italian designer Cellino comes this beautiful 1940's, 18 yellow gold diamond bow brooch
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Topazs, Diamonds, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Retrò Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing retrò brooch in 18 kt yellow gold structure mounted with topazs and, between of them
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Jade, Diamonds, 18 Karat Yellow Gold and White Gold Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
gold with diamonds. This brooch was totally handmade by Italian master goldsmiths and it is in perfect
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Diamonds Sardinian Coral 18 Carat White Gold Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
artisanal brooch features a stunning, life-like lobster crafted in 18K White Gold, resting gracefully upon a
Category

Early 2000s Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Tiffany Co Naturalistic Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
diamonds. Brooch measures 1.75" x 1.5". Marked on the back : Tiffany , 18k, Italy. Weight - 15.7 grams.
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White Gold with White Diamonds Brooch
Located in GALLARATE, IT
provide you with an elegant black mask ! Made in Italy by Stanoppi Jewellery since 1948 Brooch in 18k
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Aldo Garavelli Yellow Gold Fluted Diamond Leaf Brooch
By Aldo Garavelli
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18 Karat Yellow Gold Fluted Diamond Leaf Brooch. The lovely leaf-shaped brooch features eight 1.7mm
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Yellow Gold Brooch with Blue Sapphires and Diamonds
Located in Bergamo, BG
are fully covered by us. -------------------- A refined rectangular brooch crafted in 18K yellow gold
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

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

Coral, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Pendant / Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic pendant / brooch in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with a carved coral representing a
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

18K Yellow Gold Modelle Depose Frascarolo Leopard Brooch 54.6g
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
18k Yellow Gold Leopard Brooch. Made by Italian designer Pierino Frascarolo, who specialized in the
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Coral, Onyx, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Beautiful brooch in 18 kt white gold structure mounted with an onyx in the central part between two
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Snail Diamonds Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
A unique piece of high jewelry, this stunning snail-shaped brooch is crafted in 18K yellow gold
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Flower Brooch, Rose Quartz, Yellow Gold and Diamonds
Located in Paris, FR
Flower brooch in rose quartz, diamonds and 18 kt yellow gold. This flower brooch is made up of a
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat White Gold with White Diamonds Brooch
Located in GALLARATE, IT
provide you with an elegant black mask ! Made in Italy by Stanoppi Jewellery since 1948 Brooch in 18k
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Turquoise Pearls Diamonds 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, IT
This exquisite brooch is a true testament to the art of fine jewelry, expertly crafted from 18K
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Gold Staple Brooch with 10 White Diamonds
Located in Milano, Lombardia
This elegant staple brooch is crafted in yellow gold and features ten sparkling white diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Diamond Sapphire Ruby Yellow Gold Platinum Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An 18k gold and platinum brooch, set with brilliant diamonds, sapphire, and ruby, signed Bulgari
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Diamonds Coral Emeralds 18 Karat Gold Frog Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
This stunning frog-shaped brooch is a true masterpiece of fine jewelry, crafted in 18K yellow and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

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

A Liberty Enamel Diamond Gold Jacket Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
diamonds, inscribed at the back "A Ettore Romagnoli" and dated Marzo 1913 Ettore Romagnoli (1871-1938) was
Category

Vintage 1910s Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

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18k Gold Diamond Brooch Italy For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate 18k gold diamond brooch italy for your needs in our varied inventory. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 83 vintage editions and 35 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect 18k gold diamond brooch italy among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 20th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a 18k gold diamond brooch italy has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Gilberto Cassola, Margherita Burgener and Elisa Pozza by PETRONILLA are consistently popular. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also brilliant cut cut and bead cut versions available here, too. When shopping for a 18k gold diamond brooch italy, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a 18k Gold Diamond Brooch Italy?

The price for a 18k gold diamond brooch italy starts at $367 and tops out at $24,530 with these brooches, on average, selling for $4,299.

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.

Questions About 18k Gold Diamond Brooch Italy
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    18K Italy gold is 18-karat gold produced in Italy. Karats tell you how much of a piece of metal is genuine gold. In the case of 18-karat gold, 18 parts are pure gold, and six parts are other metals. This makes 18-karat pieces 75 percent gold. You'll find a large collection of gold jewelry on 1stDibs.