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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

Tiffany Co. Emerald and Diamond Leaf Brooch in 18 Karat, circa 1960s
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Wailea, HI
Tiffany and Company Emerald and Diamond Leaf Brooch in 18k circa 1960's Two Round Brilliant Cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Gold Elephant Pendant
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The Tiffany elephant symbol of good luck, strength and honor. Textured 18k gold and perfectly
Category

Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18KT WHITE GOLD, ENAMEL DIAMOND LEAF PIN
Located in New York, NY
Vibrant White Gold & full cut Diamond Leaf Pin with ribs of chased gold Enamel.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French 1960s Mellerio Snowflake Double French Clip Brooch Pin
By Mellerio Paris
Located in Miami, FL
These 'Mellerio' double clip french pins crafted in 18K yellow gold feature a snowflake motif and
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Cartier Sixties Rose Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Cartier. This charming sixties rose brooch in eighteen-karat yellow gold has a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Seaman Schepps Diamond, Sapphire, and Pearl Chickadee Brooch
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Greenwich, CT
sapphires while the wings and eyes are micro set diamonds. Designed using both white and yellow 18K gold
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Van Cleef Arpels Paris Mid-20th Century Diamond Flower Pin Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Boca Raton, FL
VVS clarity. Textured 18 karat yellow gold pedals surround the diamonds and measures approximately
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Donald Claflin Enamel Gold Squirrel Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bethesda, MD
The brooch depicts a sculpted 18k gold squirrel wearing a green and white guilloché enamel
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond

Emil Meister 1955 Swiss 18Kt and Palladium Pendant Brooch 2.76 Ctw VS Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
made in Zurich, Switzerland after the war, circa 1950-1960. This pendant-brooch was designed as a
Category

Vintage 1950s Swiss Post-War Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Palladium

Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Platinum Diamond and Demantoid Garnet Dragonfly Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Platinum Diamond and Demantoid Garnet Dragonfly Pin. This fabulous
Category

Vintage 1960s British Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Spectacular Andrew Grima Brooch
By Andrew Grima
Located in Litchfield, CT
, retailer's mark, gold mark, 18k mark, London mark, and date mark. STOCK NUMBER: 24950 Jewelry acquired
Category

Vintage 1960s British Brooches

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Sapphire, Diamond and Ruby-Set Basket of Flowers Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Litchfield, CT
diamonds HALLMARKS: Tiffany & Co., 18k, and Italy. STOCK NUMBER: 21894 Jewelry acquired from this
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 1960s 70.14 Carat Invisible Set Sapphire Tremblant Rose Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k white gold with invisible set French cut Sapphires weighing a total of 70.14
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Retro 1960s Tiffany 18K Yellow Gold + Platinum Ginkgo Leaf Pin
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany Co.
Located in Lexington, KY
- 18K Yellow Gold - Platinum - .23 cttw Diamond G color VS2 clarity - Original Tiffany Box
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Vintage Diamond Coral 18 Karat Poinsettia Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This Vintage 1960's Diamond and Coral Brooch was inspired with the holidays in mind. This
Category

Vintage 1950s Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, 18k Gold

Large Estate Diamond Turtle Brooch Tortoise Pin Diamondback Terrapin Anamalier
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A most unusual and large turtle brooch bursting with a sparkling diamond encrusted shell. This
Category

Vintage 1960s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Diamond and Gold Pin and Earrings<br /
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful 1960’s flower-shaped diamond and 18 karat yellow gold earring and brooch set
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Gold, Enamel, Emerald Diamond Giraffe Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique & realistic giraffe motif brooch by Tiffany & Co. from the 1960's. Composed of solid 18
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

1960s David Webb Enamel Diamond Gold Pendant Pin
By David Webb
Located in Boca Raton, FL
equal 1.0 carat total weight set with green enamel in 18 karat yellow gold. This pendant is in mint
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels “Winking Cat” Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
. The textured details abound on his tail, feet, whiskers and ears. Made of 18 karat yellow gold and
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

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

Whimsical Gem Set Scarecrow Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Wonderful Fantasy Hand made Brooch of 18K Yellow Gold and Gemstones, Diamond weight total 1 Carat.
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Onyx, 14k Gold

1960s Diamond Yellow Gold Fruit Pin and Earrings Set
Located in New York, NY
Made of 18k yellow gold, this set features sparkling round cut diamonds weighing approximately
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Long Green and Black Enamel Necklace Bracelet Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, enamel and diamond necklace, bracelet and brooch. The necklace is
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Mid Century 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pearl Starburst Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a mid century starburst pin brooch crafted in 18K yellow gold. The piece features cultured
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Brooches

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French 1960s Cultured Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. Barrette brooch featuring a cultured pearl in
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bumblebee Diamond Gold Pin with Ruby Eyes
Located in New York, NY
18kt Yellow Gold Bumblebee Pin with Diamond Body consisting of 19 Full cut - clean and white
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Whimsical Pearl and Gem set Brooch by Seaman Schepps
By Seaman Schepps
Located in Chicago, IL
Very Darling Bird Brooch by Seaman Schepps,18K white and Yellow gold, Pearl Head and Body, Diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold

A Gold, Lapis, Diamond Pendant/Brooch, Albert Weber, Swiss c1970
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An artistic 18k yellow gold, diamond and lapis lazuli pendant/brooch by Albert Weber of Swizerland
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

Retro 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

Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Gold Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage extra fine 1960 Tiffany & Co 18k Yellow gold gem Ruby and Diamond flower pin. Three
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Dankner Diamond Yellow Gold Pin Pendant
By Henry Dankner Sons
Located in Stamford, CT
brilliant cut diamonds. Hidden look for pendant. Circa 1960. 14k Yellow and White gold 10 round
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Gem set Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
18K Yellow Gold Cat Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, Onyx Body, Emerald Eye,Diamond Eye Brow and Ruby
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 18 Karat Gold Diamond Emerald Leaf Brooch Pin, circa 1960s
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Van Cleef & Arpels 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Emerald Leaf Brooch Pin This gorgeous vintage brooch
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Gold Anemone Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Authentic Tiffany & Co Anemone 18k yellow gold diamond double clip pin. 7 round diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

CARTIER Dragon Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Coral, Emerald Pin
By Cartier
Located in Houston, TX
CARTIER 18KT yellow gold, platinum, diamond, coral, and cabochon emerald dragon pin. Signed
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Coral, Emerald, Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold

Cazzaniga Man In The Moon Brooch
By Cazzaniga
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Man in the Moon circular pin in gold, lapis, rubies and diamonds by the esteemed Roman
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Lapis Lazuli, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Humpty Dumpty Brooch by Donald Claflin for Tiffany Co.
By Donald Claflin for Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
An American Mid-20th Century18 karat gold brooch with diamonds by Donald Claflin. Claflin's
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Classic Brooch or Pendant
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Classic Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond, ruby, sapphire & emerald brooch/pendant. Spectacular
Category

Vintage 1960s American Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

CARTIER Elegant Brooch Designed as a Realistically Rendered Rose-Head
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
PLEASE NOTE: OUR PRICE IS FULLY INCLUSIVE OF SHIPPING, IMPORTATION TAXES & DUTIES Elegant brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1961 Van Cleef Arpels Lions Ebouriffes brooch set
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
11.72g. Made of 18k gold, the lions' eyes are emeralds, the noses are onyx adorned with round cut
Category

Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Whimsical Jeweled Smoking Lady Dachshund Dog Brooch Pin
Located in Montreal, QC
Necklace, sporting a Ruby and Diamond Bow, and holding a long cigarette holder; Burnished two-tone 18k
Category

Vintage 1960s Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Duck Clip Brooch by Frascarolo
By FRASCOROLO
Located in San Antonio, TX
Large 18k gold enamel ,ruby and diamond , duck clip brooch. Signed FCDepose make in Italy.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

Jade Diamond Gold Flower
Located in Toronto, ON
Jade, Diamond and 18K brooch in the form of a floral spray with textured and high polish petals
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Retro Art Nouveau Revival 18 Karat Gold Plique-à-Jour Enamel Butterfly Brooch
Located in Cape May, NJ
Composition: 18K Yellow Gold and Enamel Primary Stone: Diamonds Brooch Measurement: 2.75" wide x 2" tall
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Large Ribbon Pin with Diamonds
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Large 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Ribbon Pin Featuring 13 Round Diamonds of VS Clarity & G Color
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Full Cut Diamond Gold Sea Urchin Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
stones. Circa 1950-1960. 1 full cut round diamond approx. total weight .10ct, F, VS 6 gem red 2.5mm
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Walser Wald 1950 Art Deco Retro Watch Brooch in 18Kt and Platinum with Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
the head and the lantern-watch, in solid yellow gold of 18 karats and .900 platinum accents for the
Category

Vintage 1950s Argentine Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

David Webb Blue Enamel and Diamond Sea Lion Seal Brooch Pin
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
An American Mid-20th Century 18 karat gold and platinum brooch with diamonds, emeralds, ruby and
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Vintage Estate 18 Karat Yellow Gold Greek Goddess Diamond Pendant
Located in Great Neck, NY
her head. Could be worn as a charm as well. Unique! #N0018 Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 9 Grams
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier 1960s Amethyst Diamond Turquoise Gold Sparrow Pin
By Cartier
Located in Aspen, CO
clip possesses a .35 ct. natural fancy intense yellow diamond; also, there are 7 round brilliant cut
Category

Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Rosenthal 18KT Yellow Gold Diamond Emerald Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This Rosenthal pin is crafted in 18KT yellow gold with .72CT round diamond & .29CT round emerald
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels 1960s Gold and Diamond Pin and Earclips Set
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
signature 1960's attributes. The beautifully textured yellow gold contrasts perfectly with the bright
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Foxglove Flower Enamel and Diamonds Pin
Located in New York, NY
The pin is finely crafted in 18k gold with different colors of enamel and diamonds weighing
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Modernist Lapis Lazuli Diamond Clips
Located in New York, NY
Oversize 18Kt Yellow Gold Modernist Clips set with Cabochon Lapis Lazuli & Faceted Diamonds two
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mcteigue Vintage Diamond Enamel Platinum 18 Karat Gold Mallard Duck Stickpin
By McTeigue
Located in Philadelphia, PA
bright. Tested as platinum and 18 karat gold with a 14 karat gold pin stem. With maker's mark for
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

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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.