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Mid-Century 1960s 18K White Gold Diamond Bow Pin
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-century 18K white gold bow brooch with 323 round and baguette diamonds that total 13.65 carats
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

VCA Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Emerald Leaf Brooch Pin Yellow Gold 1960s-1970s
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Lisbon, PT
Van Cleef & Arpels diamond and emerald leaf brooch pin in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, French
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Boucheron Yellow Red Enamel and Diamond Butterfly Brooch Prov. Earl Mountbatten
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
Boucheron Period 1960s Origin French Gemstones 7 x round brilliant diamonds Setting 18ct yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Flower Brooch with Changeable Piece
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold and 14k yellow gold with diamonds weighing approximately total of 7.00 carat. The
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Fantastic Emerald and Diamond Brooch in Platinum and 18 Karat Gold by Meister
Located in Lucerne, CH
18 karat gold, this flower brooch is three-dimensional in design, as if it were in full bloom, and
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Artist Brooches

Materials

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

Ventrella Napoli Couple Cats Enamel Diamond Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
CONDITION: Pre-owned - Excellent METAL: 18k Gold GEM STONES: Diamond 0.04 cts DESIGN ERA: Circa 1960 TOTAL
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Hermes Paris 18 Karat Yellow Gold Estate Pin Brooch
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
Hermes Paris 18kt Yellow Gold Estate Pin-- a timeless and rare piece from Hermes Paris Circa 1960's
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1960s 18 Carat Aquamarine Diamond White Gold Sputnik Spray Pin Brooch
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This fabulous 1960's spray pin features an approximately 18.5 carat aquamarine gemstone surrounded
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Seaman Schepps Chessman Gold Brooch
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Seaman Schepps, American. At Seaman Schepps, exotic is iconic. This
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow ...

Buccellati Brooch
By Buccellati
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Signature Buccelati floral. 18k gold, diamonds and south sea pearl.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Paris Diamond, Ruby and Mother-of-Pearl Penguin Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A French Mid-20th Century 18 karat gold brooch with diamonds, ruby, black enamel and mother of
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

French Gold Enamel and Gem Set Large Owl Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s 18K Yellow Gold Large and Impressive Owl Brooch, very nicely detailed and fabricated
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Iconic Gold "Clip Lion" Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This gold chiselled brooch in the form of
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels 18 carat gold ram brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
A true testament to Van Cleef & Arpels' timeless elegance, this 18-carat gold ram brooch, dating
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Cartier Paris Dog Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A super cute 18 carat yellow gold Cartier puppy brooch with a red enamel collar set with a small
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold

1963, Georges Braque "Zephir Icarios" 18 Karat White Gold and Diamonds Brooch
By Georges Braque
Located in Paris, FR
Express Shipping insured during the world lockdown Stunning 18K White Gold and Round-Cut Bright
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Vintage French Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Turtle Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Vintage French Sapphire 18 Karat Yellow Gold Turtle Brooch. Featuring two round sapphire with a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels emerald diamonds black enamel Pony brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in PARIS, FR
Van Cleef & Arpels - Pony brooch in 18k (750°/°°) gold. The eye features a faceted emerald and a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel

1960s 2.24 Carat Chalcedony Ruby Gold Mouse Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
brooch has been crafted in 18ct yellow and rose gold. The brooch has been modelled in the form of a
Category

Vintage 1960s English Brooches

Materials

Chalcedony, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Yellow and White Gold Cat Brooch Pin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage cat brooch crafted from 18-karat textured yellow and white gold whiskers. The brooch is
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, W...

Tiffany Co. France 2.5 Carat Diamond Flower Brooch Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Striking Tiffany and Co. brooch pin, finely crafted in 18 karat yellow gold featuring 29 round
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Green Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Fly Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
Fly shaped brooch hand made in Italy of 18k yellow and white gold. Green enamel wings, ruby eyes
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Faraone Rubies Brooch 60 s
Located in Milano, MI
As we would expect from Faraone this brooch boasts the highest quality rubies and diamonds together
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Whimsical Gold and Gem set lady Golfer brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Very Whimsical Lady Golfer brooch, 18K Yellow Gold, Cabachon Emerald Body, Pearl head, Sapphire
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Lion Ebouriffé brooch in gold, diamonds, emeralds and enamel
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in PARIS, FR
hallmark for 18k (750°/°°) gold and dog head hallmark for platinum. Excellent general condition Height
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Enamel

Tiffany Retro Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Brooch, circa 1965
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Aspen, CO
emeralds and white brilliant cut diamonds. This large 18K double clip brooch weighs 1.5 troy ounces of
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 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

Circa 1960s Cartier 7.68 Carat Diamond Flower Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
From the esteemed House of Cartier emerges a magnificent brooch, artfully sculpted from 18-karat
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Frascarolo Enamel Gemstone Gold Basset Hound Brooch
By Frascarolo
Located in Darnestown, MD
; the eyes are rubies and the brows are diamonds. The brooch measures 1 3/4" in height and 1 1/2" in
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

Enamel Tribal Mask Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, diamond and enamel brooch. The brooch is designed as a tribal mask
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 18 Karat Yellow Gold Scarecrow Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This ravishing Scarecrow Brooch is by Van Cleef & Arpels is made in 18kt Yellow Gold. The head is
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold "Fruit Salad" Kutchinsky Signed Brooch
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in New York, NY
18k Yellow Gold Signed Kutchinsky Brooch with mixed stones. 20 Diamonds aprox 2.25 carats . Also
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Paris Vintage Diamond Emerald Lion Cub Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
diamond emerald brooch. With its black enamel nose, emerald eyes, and diamond face, this frisky lion cub
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Boucheron Mixed Cut Diamond 18 Carat Multi-Row Bow Double Clip Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in London, GB
, Boucheron, exquisitely crafted in luxurious 18ct white gold. This wonderful brooch is intricately designed
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage 1.25 Carat Diamond Emerald Ruby Sapphire 18 Karat Gold Frog Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a high polished gold frog set with emeralds, rubies, sapphires and diamonds - all bezel
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Retro Ladybug Pin 18k Yellow Gold Cobalt Blue Enamel Diamonds
Located in MIAMI, FL
Beautifully crafted ladybug brooch in 18k yellow gold. The ladybug shows details throughout as it
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Van Cleef Arpels Diamonds Chrysoprase Ruby Sapphire Scarecrow Pin Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
This ravishing brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels represents a scarecrow – it is made in 18kt yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Paris Vintage Diamond Emerald Lion Cub Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
diamond emerald turquoise onyx brooch. With its turquoise nose, emerald eyes, and diamond face, this
Category

Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Ruser 1960s 18 Karat Two-Tone Flower with Pave Set Diamond Leaves Brooch
By William Ruser
Located in New York, NY
William Ruser 18K Gold diamond flower brooch with round-cut diamond set leaves. Diamonds total
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Boucheron Feather Brooch with Emeralds, Rubies, Sapphires and Diamonds
By Boucheron
Located in Bethesda, MD
around the world. ♦ Designer: Boucheron ♦ Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold ♦ Circa 1960s ♦ Gemstone
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Exceptional Diamond Gold Branch Tree Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This lovely estate retro diamond branch design pin is crafted in solid 18K rose gold. This stunning
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 1960s Van Cleef Arpels Bee Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds, a Cabochon Emerald, and a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s Van Cleef Arpels Bee Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds, a Cabochon Emerald, and a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Horse Head Brooch by Pierino Frascarolo
By Frascarolo
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
jeweller producing incredible work in the mid 20th century. The 18 karat yellow gold brooch is heavily
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. 3.51 Carat Diamond and Lapis Lazuli Brooch Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Tiffany & Co. Brooch Pin crafted in 18 karat yellow and white gold featuring 49 round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

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

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Colored Bow Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A cute 18 carat gold bow brooch set with small brilliant cut diamonds, rubies and emeralds and
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Pave Emeralds and Onyx Lion Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
. This piece from circa 1960 is masterfully crafted from 18K yellow and 18K white gold and weighs 23.7
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Kutchinsky Diamond and Sapphire Earrings and Matching Brooch, Retro Vintage
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in London, GB
base. British hallmarked London 1966 for 18 carat gold. Total diamond weight in brooch approx 1.0
Category

Vintage 1960s British Retro Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Coral Diamonds Brooch, Clématite Collection, France, circa
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
brilliant cut diamonds. The brooch is signed VCA and numbered. We can see the French eagle’s head and the
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond and Ruby Large Butterfly Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
of the early 1900s. The butterfly is superbly crafted in silver and 18K gold and is set with old cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Van Cleef Arpels 18 Carat Gold and Gem-Set Dog Brooch circa 1960s
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
A delightful 18ct gold and gemstone brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels c.1960s, finely modelled as a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Hermes Charming 18ct Gold and Gem Set Elephant Brooch Circa 1960s French
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
sapphire cabochons 4 x turquoise cabochon 1 x faceted diamond Setting 18ct yellow gold signed Hermès Paris
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Hammerman Brothers Articulated Flower Brooch
By Hammerman Brothers
Located in Chicago, IL
Large, 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Set Articulated, Opening and Closing Flower Brooch with
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Adorable Gold, Diamond Enamel Pussy Cat
Located in New York, NY
Yellow Gold with Diamond eyes & a hot red Enamel Tongue. The cat's meow!
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

CARTIER Gem Set Quiver Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
18K Yellow Gold Quiver brooch by Cartier, Set with Rubies and Diamonds, Double clip back. Signed
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond Double Clip Brooch, circa 1965
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Aspen, CO
white brilliant cut diamonds. This large 18K double clip brooch weighs 1.5 troy ounces of gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 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.