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Yellow Gold, Diamond and Sapphire Ballerina Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
and diamond skirt and holding a French cut embellished fan. Metal: 18 karat yellow gold. Measurements
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage Sapphire and Enamel Yellow Gold Frog Brooch, Circa 1960
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
verified as 18 karat gold. This impressive vintage frog brooch is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Diamonds Rubies and Sapphires Wagtail Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Retro Brooch in 18Kt Yellow Gold composed of Diamonds, Rubies and Sapphires Diamonds ct 0.83 Rubies
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Whimsical 18K Gold and Gem set Poodle Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
18K White gold front and yellow gold Back Poodle Brooch set with Gray pearls, Daimond Collar
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

Italian Enamel Diamond Gold Chinese Dragon Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This mythical Chinese dragon brooch pin is crafted in solid 18K yellow and white gold. The dragon
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Mid-Century Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Openwork Floral Brooch 1960s
Located in Towson, MD
, expertly rendered in 18 karat yellow gold. The intricate openwork design features a dynamic spray of
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond Emerald Gold Mushroom Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Mushroom diamond and emerald brooch in 18k yellow gold. The mushroom cups are set with
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Unknown Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Gold Flower Brooch
Located in London, GB
A vintage 18ct gold and diamond flower brooch, set with twisted gold wire petals and six round
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Andrew Grima Diamond Gold Brooch 1968
By Andrew Grima
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A Smart brooch by Andrew Grima. The 1 6/8" textured concentric 18k yellow gold brooch with
Category

Vintage 1960s Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Wander France Coral Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
By Wander
Located in New York, NY
Wander France 18 karat, yellow gold, diamond, white and red carved coral dragon fly brooch, signed
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Frascarolo Lion Brooch Gold with Diamonds and Enamel
By FRASCOROLO
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful Frascarolo lion brooch is finely crafted in 18K gold. The lions' eyes are 2 oval
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold

French Diamond Ruby and Gold Fan Brooch
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold whymsical fan brooch with a ribbed fabric set with six carré cut rubies and four
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

1960 s Rosenthal 0.88 Carat Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Bee Brooch
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
VS1 clarity. Completed by a pin stem with locking closure. Stamped 18K for 18 karat gold. Maker's mark
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

1960 s UnoAErre Vintage Italian Diamond Guilloche Enamel Turtle Brooch
By UnoAErre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
VS to SI clarity. Stamped twice 18K for 18 karat gold. Maker's marks for UnoAErre. Stamped Italy
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Italian Diamond and Yellow Gold Frog Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage Italian 0.39 carat diamond and enamel, 18 karat yellow gold 'frog' brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1960s Pirate Ruby Diamond Sapphire Gold Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1960s Pirate Ruby Diamond Sapphire Gold Brooch 1960s Pirate gold brooch with rubies sapphires and
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ruser Jade Pearl Diamond Sapphire Platinum 18 Karat Gold Bird Brooch Circa 1960
By William Ruser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
locking closure Stamped for 18 karat gold and platinum Signed Ruser for William Ruser Circa: 1960s
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k ...

Pearls, Diamonds, 18 Karat Rose Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Beautiful brooch in 18 karat rose gold structure mounted with pearls and diamonds. This brooch was
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold

Cartier Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
French chic diamond & yellow gold pin created by Cartier in Paris in the 1960's. Designed as a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Enamel Turquoise Ruby Diamond Gold Dragon Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
This whimsical, well detailed vintage Retro dragon diamond enamel lapel brooch is crafted in
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold

1.30 Carat Diamond Starburst Flower Brooch Pendant in 18K Gold and Platinum
Located in Miami, FL
Italian, circa 1950s–60s Materials: 18K Yellow Gold, Platinum, Diamonds Diamond Details: Approx. 1.30
Category

Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1960 s Herbert Rosenthal 1.00 Carat Ruby Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bug Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
closure. Stamped 18KT for 18 karat gold. Maker's mark for Herbert Rosenthal. Circa: 1960s. Measures: 15/16
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Oscar Heyman Sapphire Diamond Gold Floral Brooch Pin
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Miami, FL
18K gold. Embellished with 72 genuine Round cut Diamonds approx: 5.92cttw, F-G color, VS1-VS2 clarity
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Fred Paris 18k panther brooch 1960s
By Fred Paris
Located in London, GB
This charming panther brooch by Fred Paris dates back to 1960s and is made of 18k gold. The
Category

Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Diamond Gold Three Dimensional Pin Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
it. 1 round diamond, approx. total weight .07cts, G, VS2 18k yellow gold Stamped: 9.42mm Tested
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Maple Pink Tourmaline 70s Brooch, 18K Gold
Located in New York, NY
Pink tourmaline and diamond maple gold brooch made in 18K Yellow Gold. Gold weight- 63.9 grams
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Ruby Gold Venetian Gondola Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
This immaculately crafted vintage pin brooch of unique refinement is crafted in solid 18K white
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

A beautiful yellow gold, platinum diamond spray brooch.
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold and platinum set diamond spray brooch. Set with approximately 8.00 carats
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Enamel Diamond Sapphire Yellow Gold Ladybug Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Enamel diamond and sapphire ladybug figural gold brooch circa 1960. We are here to connect you
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches

Materials

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

TIFFANY, SCHLUMBERGER gold, enamel, ruby and diamond brooch.
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, ruby, enamel and platinum set diamond brooch. Tiffany, Schlumberger.
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier Enamel Diamond Emerald Yellow Gold Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cartier enamel emerald diamonds and yellow gold flower spray brooch circa 1960. * SPECIFICATIONS
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Wander France 18k Gold Platinum Skyline Pendant Brooch
By Wander
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pendant brooch, centering round-cut and baguette-cut diamonds set to resemble a city skyline in
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

French Ruby Diamond Gold Lion Cub Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This adorable lion cub motif has been designed with a body of diamonds and ruby eyes. Well designed
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

KUTCHINSKY Yellow Gold Diamond Squirel Brooch
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in Chicago, IL
Wonderfully detailed Squirrel brooch, 18K Yellow Gold, Diamonds and A ruby Eye.
Category

Vintage 1960s English Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Chrysophrase, 18k Gold

Vintage 2.15 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 2.15 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Dog Yorkshire Diamond Ruby Gold and Platinum Brooch
Located in Geneva, CH
So Adorable! This small Yorkshire dog brooch is mounted on yellow gold 18k 750 all engraved. The
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

1960s 18K Platinum, Diamond set Double Horse Head brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Wonderfully detailed Double Horse Head brooch of 18K yellow Textured Gold and Platinum, set with 3
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, 18k Gold

Jadeite Diamond 18 Karat Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully designed and masterfully handcrafted in 18 karat yellow gold 1960s brooch set with
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Jade, 18k Gold

French Lion Cub Diamond Ruby Gold Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A delightful design of whimsical charm. Building the lion motif with numerous colorless diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
covered by the seller (customs duties included). Fantastic dragonfly brooch in 18 karat white gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond Heart Brooch (5cts)
Located in London, GB
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your ensemble with this exquisite diamond heart brooch. Crafted
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Gold Folded Ribbon Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Tiffany & Co. 18Kt Yellow Gold Folded Ribbon Brooch Features 36 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds for a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French Retro Chiselled Gold and Diamond Floral Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This antique gold brooch features a delicate
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Sterle Paris 1960 Brooch 18Kt and Platinum 12.67 Ctw Diamonds and Burmese Rubies
By Pierre Sterlé
Located in Miami, FL
gold of 18 karats and parts made of .900/.999 platinum for the setting of the diamonds. The
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Chaumet Diamond Yellow Gold Bow Brooch
By Chaumet
Located in New York, NY
From Chaumet comes this delightful diamond and 18k yellow gold brooch. The diamonds total 11.7 in
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k 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

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Paris Diamond Gold Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-Century platinum and 18 karat gold swirl brooch with diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels. The
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Peau D ange Coral Diamond Gold Flower Shape Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
-crafted in 18k Gold. Circa 1960 Brooch measures: 4,5 cm long (1,77 in) x 3 cm (1,18 in) CONDITION: Pre
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS chic yellow gold and diamond brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold and diamond stylized knot brooch. Van Cleef & Arpels, France. Circa 1960.
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond Enamel Butterfly Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Presenting a Vintage Diamond 18K Gold Enamel Butterfly brooch pin decorated wings with colored
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Enamel

Van Cleef Arpels Lion Ébouriffe Brooch 18k Estate Diamond Emerald Onyx Gems
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in MIAMI, FL
Beautiful estate creation from famed designer Van Cleef & Arpels. The brooch is crafted in 18k
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels French Diamond Gold Flower Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. Designed with a white, clean diamond as the pistol surrounded by perfectly detailed textured petals of gold
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Mario Buccellati Diamond Gold Leaf Pin Brooch
By Mario Buccellati
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold And Diamonds Leaf Brooch Pin by Mario Buccellati. With 37 round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1960s Enamel Diamond Gold Owl Brooch
Located in Hicksville, NY
wear at the area of the branch on the bottom. The eyes are two natural diamonds. Around the eyes and to
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18Kt Yellow Gold, Diamonds and Emerald Swan Brooch
Located in Crema, Cremona
This elegant brooch, which takes its creative inspiration from a swan is in satinated 18 Kt yellow
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Romantic Brooches

Materials

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

Retro Red Coral Diamond Gold Chinese Motif Lapel Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
crafted in solid, artfully textured 18K yellow gold, with a touch of 18K white gold applied to diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Ruby Diamond Gold Lion Cub Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This adorable lion cub motif has been designed with a body of diamonds and ruby eyes. Well
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

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1960 18k Gold Diamond Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact 1960 18k gold diamond brooch you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Find an antique version now, or shop for 1442 vintage or 1 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a 1960 18k gold 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. For this particular piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. Finding an appealing 1960 18k gold diamond brooch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Van Cleef Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany Co. each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also brilliant cut and cabochon versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a 1960 18k gold diamond brooch, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a 1960 18k Gold Diamond Brooch?

On average, a 1960 18k gold diamond brooch at 1stDibs sells for $6,500, while they’re typically $571 on the low end and $375,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.