Skip to main content

18k Gold Floral Diamond Brooch

to
60
961
853
420
241
122
914
193
179
165
123
6
145
629
201
33
10
12
20
35
59
97
48
32
17
6
527
459
4
291
76
66
54
50
to
60
38
26
19
17
102
95
94
80
46
43
23
10
5
5
4
4
984
6
625
329
Sort By
0.57Ct Diamond Natural Pearl, 18k Rose Gold, Silver Set Brooch - Antique
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive natural pearl and 0.57 carat diamond brooch in 18 karat rose gold; part of
Category

Antique 1890s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Tutti Frutti Emerald Sapphire Ruby Diamond Gold Floral Deco-Style Pendant Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
18k yellow gold and ready to be worn as a brooch or add a chain to its bails and wear as a pendant
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond and Ruby Retro Floral Bouquet Gold Brooch Pin Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
. 6.54tcw. Sparkles Beautifully! Hand crafted 18k White Gold mounting. C1940s. Chic and Timeless...Sure to
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Brooches

Materials

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

19th Century Diamond Floral Spray Brooch, 1860 ca
Located in Firenze, IT
flowerheads five petals with the main stones in the center, diamond set leaves and ribbon tied stems, open set
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

White Gold Full White Black and Brown Diamond Pave Floral Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
manner, this sublime brooch is made of shimmering 18K white gold and adorned with exquisitely arranged
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Vintage Diamond Flower Brooch French Made Pave Set 18k Yellow Gold ~5.48ctw
Located in Fairfield, CT
Vintage Diamond Flower Brooch French Made Pave Set 18k Yellow Gold ~5.48ctw This 18k yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow 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

18 Karat Gold Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This breathtaking floral motif diamond brooch/pendant is crafted in solid 18K white gold, weighing
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Diamond Sapphire Emerald Ruby Floral Heart Pendant Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a lovely mid century floral design heart pendant brooch crafted in 18K yellow gold. Circa
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Boucheron Paris 18K Gold, Chrysoprase and Diamond Pin Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
- 18 karat yellow and white gold - 0.51 carat of round brilliant cut diamond - 1.32 cabochons
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

de Grisogono 18K White Gold 11.50 ct Diamond, Sapphire, and Pearl Brooch
By de GRISOGONO
Located in Southampton, PA
This exquisitely crafted 18K White Gold brooch from de Grisogono will add opulence to any ensemble
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victoria Era Diamond 3 Carat Floral Brooch 2.25 Inch Eighteen Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
jewelry made with 18 karat yellow and white gold. The brooch features a floral design with delicate petals
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold

1.30 Carat Diamond Starburst Flower Brooch Pendant in 18K Gold and Platinum
Located in Miami, FL
luminous 18K yellow gold with platinum accents. Designed in a dynamic floral motif, the piece features a
Category

Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Dan Frere Diamond Sapphire Ruby Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Floral Brooch Pin
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Beautifully crafted floral pin fashioned in 18 karat yellow gold. The brooch features 3 round
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Coral, Diamond and Gold Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite 1960s coral, diamond and gold floral brooch, featuring a carved coral section depicting a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Mid Century 18 Karat Gold 5.24 Carat Emerald 1.36 Carat Diamond Floral Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an elegant floral design pin brooch crafted in 18K white gold. The piece features 6 oval
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold

Art Deco 1.00 Carat Diamond Jade 18 Karat White Gold Carved Floral Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
. Tested as 18 karat gold. Circa: 1930's. Measures: 1/16 x 2 inches. Total weight: 9.9 grams. Vibrant
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

Multi Gem White Gold Floral Double Clip Lapel Brooches
Located in Miami, FL
18K white gold, weighing together 51.9 grams. The vivacious brooches depict an assemblage of 18
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Art Deco Diamond Carved Jade Platinum 18 Karat White Gold Floral Bird Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
pin stem with locking closure. Tested as platinum and 18 karat gold. Numbered with makers mark. Circa
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Jade, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Hammerman Brothers Diamond Gold Spray Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
style to this unique brooch. Made in 18k yellow gold. Length: 3.1 inches Width: 2 inches
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Estate Montclair Turquoise Cabochon White Diamond Brooch in 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning estate Montclair turquoise and white diamond floral brooch. Handmade in 18k yellow gold.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Turquoise, Yellow Gold

!950s Retro Diamond Ruby Floral Bouquet 18 Karat Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
bouquet and crafted in 18K gold. 3 of the 4 flowers have diamond centers and round rubies accenting around
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Carved Amethyst Diamonds Onyx Mother-of-pearl Flower Brooch 18k Gold Box, 1930
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Diamonds Carved Amethyst Onyx Mother-of-pearl Flower Brooch 18K Gold. A Diamond and Gem-set brooch
Category

Vintage 1930s Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Antique Tiffany Co. 18 Karat Floral Diamond and Pearl Pendant Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Versatile Tiffany & Company diamond and pearl pendant or brooch Dimensional floral form 18k yellow
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Kutchinsky 2.10 Carat Diamond and Ruby Floral Brooch, circa 1965
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in London, GB
set in 18 carat white gold. The brooch is made from gleaming 18 carat yellow gold. This is a great
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Large Floral Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
it is marvelously crafted from 18K yellow and 18K white gold. The brooch is given a sublime touch of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Antique Edwardian Platinum and 18K Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Floral Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Edwardian Platinum and 18K Gold Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Floral Pin. This marvelous
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Epinay Briort French Art Nouveau Diamond 18K Gold Floral Lady Antique Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
floral accents Accented by rose cut diamonds as accessories Flush set and eye clean and bright Completed
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Gold Diamond Rose Flower Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French gold and diamond rose clip brooch circa 1960 by G R Le Compte. Designed as a rose flower set
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Sapphire and Diamond Flower Gold Brooch
Located in Lucerne, CH
Floral bouquet brooch in white gold 750. Nine rays set with 12 Ceylon cut, untreated sapphires
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Carved Tanzanite Ruby and Diamond Art Deco Style Brooch in 18K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
The Tanzanite, Ruby, and Diamond Art Deco Style Drop Brooch showcases a dazzling diamond loop as
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold

LB Exclusive Antique 18K Rose Gold and Silver 6.97ct Diamond Flower Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Silver and shimmering 18K Rose Gold. At the center, you’ll find a 0.97 carat round-cut diamond
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Retro 1940 s French Diamond Sapphire Ruby Floral Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
sure to add wonderful color to any ensemble. Finely crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, this pin features
Category

Vintage 1970s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vine Design Diamond White Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This sophisticated elegant estate brooch pin is artistically crafted in solid 18K white gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 18k Gold Old Cut Diamond Plojoux Geneve Enamel Watch Pendant and Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
attention in every room you walk into. Enjoy :) -- Item Details -- Material: Solid 18k Yellow Gold w/ some
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel

1960s EMIS Lapis Lazuli Diamond Gold Brooch
By Emis
Located in New York, NY
An 18K yellow gold, lapis lazuli and diamond brooch, Emis. Circa 1960 Designed as a floral spray
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Italian Enamel Diamond Gold Orchid Lapel Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
This beautiful vintage floral lapel brooch from the Retro era is of Italian provenance, handcrafted
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold

Early Victorian En Tremblant Diamond Floral Brooch, Old Mine, Cushion, European
Located in London, GB
European, Cushion and rose cut diamonds set into 18 ct gold and silver circa 1830's. Approximate total
Category

Antique 1830s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Schlumberger French Sapphire Diamond Floral Bouquet 18KYG Brooch Pin
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany Co.
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This rare lapel pin brooch by Jean Sclumberger for Tiffany & Co. is adorned with a cushion-cut
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Rare Mother of Pearl Sapphire Diamond Floral Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in San Francisco, CA
Rare Van Cleef & Arpels Floral Brooch Features Cabochon Cut Mother of Pearl Leaves and an
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond and Emerald Gold Pendant or Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
Beautifully crafted in shimmering 18K white gold, this stunning floral pin is absolutely exemplary
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Yellow and Rose Gold Diamond Floral Pin
Located in Southampton, PA
This brooch is colorful and lovely. It is made of 18K yellow and rose gold and is shaped like a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Brown Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

LB Exclusive Vintage 18K Yellow Gold 4.50 Ct Diamond and Sapphire Brooch Set
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Shimmering gemstones and a bold 18K yellow gold setting make this set of two brooches exactly what
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Flower Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
gold. Showcasing a beautifully structured diamond encrusted blooming floral design with some 310
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

3 Carat Briolette Diamond Gold Flower Brooch Pin
Located in Napoli, NA
An absolutely stunning floral brooch handcrafted in 18K Yellow and White Gold set with a unique
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1900s Emerald Diamond Gold Platinum Basket Brooch
Located in London, England
An antique diamond and emerald flower basket brooch set in silver on gold and platinum. The floral
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Silver

VCA Gold Diamond and Colored Stone Bouquet Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, sapphire, ruby and diamond brooch. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels, circa 1945
Category

Vintage 1940s Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

JANIYE, 18k/24K Gold, Diamond, Jadite Pendant/Brooch c1970 Unique
Located in Cincinnati, OH
" Abstract 18k/24k yellow gold brooch with approximately .75cts of old mine and European cut diamonds framing
Category

American Brooches

Materials

Jade

Platinum, Diamond, Amethyst and Rock Crystal Floral Motif Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This artfully designed flora motif brooch is rendered in solid 18K white gold, consisting of a
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond

Antique Victorian Diamond and Yellow Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional antique Victorian 0.96 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold bar brooch; part of
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

7.80 Carat Diamond Pearl Platinum Floral Bouquet Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
diamonds on 18K white gold base, centered by a 9mm Akola pearl of white with cream white hue color. All
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Oriental Pearl

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Ruby Floral Design Leaf Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
It is a vintage floral design pin brooch crafted in 18K yellow gold. It features 10 round rubies
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Modern Brooches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Diamond Gemstone Gold Floral Bouquet Flower Pin
Located in Miami, FL
for any occasion!! Finely crafted in solid 18K gold, this floral bouquet gold pin is accented with a
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique 5.00ct 1890-1910 18K gold big pendant / brooch 7.70cm H
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL
Antique 1890-1910 18K gold combined with platinum pendant / brooch, With big and impressive size
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Green Enamel Gold Flower Brooch
Located in Birmingham, AL
This Georgian brooch features 44 very primitive rose cut diamonds set en tremblant in an 18k yellow
Category

Antique 1790s Unknown Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k 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

Vintage Cartier Brooch 18k Gold Flower Heart Design Estate Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A lavish vintage Cartier brooch of a flower design, made of 18k gold. This exuberant flower was
Category

Vintage 1970s French Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "18k Gold Floral Diamond Brooch", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

18k Gold Floral Diamond Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the 18k gold floral diamond brooch you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. You can easily find a 220 antique edition and 32 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a 18k gold floral diamond brooch may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but 2.5 Carat and 3 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Finding an appealing 18k gold floral diamond brooch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Van Cleef Arpels, Tiffany Co. and Bulgari each produced a popular version that is worth a look. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes brilliant cut and mixed cut alternatives. When shopping for a 18k gold floral diamond brooch, 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 Floral Diamond Brooch?

The price for a 18k gold floral diamond brooch starts at $650 and tops out at $198,500 with these brooches, on average, selling for $5,600.

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.