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Van Cleef Arpels Paris Turquoise, Diamond, Blue Sapphire and Gold Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A French Mid-20th Century 18 karat gold and platinum brooch with turquoise, diamond, and blue
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Bouquet Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
smaller diamonds all set in platinum and 18k white gold. Signed Van Cleef & Arpels (VCA), no. xxxxx, and
Category

Vintage 1960s French Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Mid Century 18 Karat Carved Opal Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An usual vintage carved opal pansy brooch set with diamond, circa 1960. This beautifully rendered
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

1960s Large Multi Stone Gold Brooch
Located in Aspen, CO
This 18K brooch centers a cabachon emerald which is surrounded by fine white diamonds that are
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch with Diamond and Lapis Lazuli Cabochon
Located in Vannes, FR
18 karat Yellow Gold Brooch with Diamond and Lapis lazuli Cabochon Lapis Lazulis brooch on a hand
Category

Vintage 1960s Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Yellow Gold

Leaf Motif Diamond Platinum and 18K Gold Pin by Tiffany Co.
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This pristine Tiffany & Co. gingko leaf motif pin, crafted in platinum and 18K yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Cabochon Turquoise Diamond Camelia Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
brilliant diamonds and the finest cabochon turquoise mounted in 18k yellow gold. The dimensions measure
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Vintage Retro 1969 Diamond 0.45 Carat Bow 2.25 Inch Brooch 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Vintage Retro 1969 Diamond 0.45 Carat Bow Brooch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold! This
Category

Vintage 1960s British Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Gold Blue Sapphire Floral Cluster Brooch Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
A chrysanthemum inspired floral bouquet in bright eighteen karat 18K yellow gold create this
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Lion Brooch, Emeralds and Diamonds
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Paris, FR
Van Cleef and Arpels Lion clip in 18 carats yellow gold, platinum, brilliant-cut diamonds, black
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

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

18 Karat Ruby Orchid Brooch Necklace 9.00 Carat Rubies, Diamonds 0.70 Carat vs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
bright and sparkling as are the Diamonds. Simply beautiful. I had a loop put under this brooch to wear
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Artisan Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1960s, Diamond Malachite Coral and Jade Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
crafted in 18k white gold. The body of the brooch is an oval malachite panel overlaid with a floral
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Jade, Malachite, 18k Gold, White Gold

CARTIER Flower Brooch
Located in Darnestown, MD
This Cartier floral brooch is cheerful and colorful. Diamonds add a touch of sparkle to the pearls
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

Herbert Rosenthal 18kt Sapphire, Diamond and Ruby Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bethesda, MD
♦ Designer: Herbert Rosenthal ♦ Metal: 18 karat yellow gold ♦ Gemstones: Sapphires, Diamonds, and
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

1960s Diamond Gold Parrot Bird Brooch Pin by Jack Gutschneider
Located in Miami, FL
This elaborately detailed circa 1960’s brooch depicts the sculptured profile of a lovely parrot
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire

1960s Multi Gem 18 Karat Yellow Gold Scarab Brooch Necklace
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Amazing Scarab Brooch is Vintage Circa 1960's and Boosts 10.34 Carats of Gemstones. They are
Category

Vintage 1960s Egyptian Egyptian Revival Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, 1...

Vintage 1960s 7.06 Carat Rose Quartz and Yellow Gold Cat Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 7.06 carat rose quartz and 18 karat yellow gold 'cat' brooch; part of our
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Elegant Diamond Gold Platinum Rose Pin
Located in New York, NY
Elegant 1960s diamond platinum and 18 karat yellow gold brooch in the shape of a rose. This
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Tiffany Co Circa 1960s 18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Pearl Fur Clip
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
this Vintage Tiffany & Co. Fur Clip, fashioned in 18K yellow gold and adorned with white pearls
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Whimsical Sixties Lion Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Cartier. This oh-so-sixties lion brooch by Cartier is the perfect whimsical
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Emerald Diamond Enamel Lion Ébouriffe Brooch NEW STYLE
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in MIAMI, FL
1960's, of which the present lot is a more modern example. This elegant brooch was purchased in April
Category

2010s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels Paris Gold Platinum and Crystal and Gem Set Whimsical Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Van Cleef and Arpels Paris 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Whimsical Head Brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Mid Century Gübelin Wind Wheel Brooch
By Gubelin
Located in Lucerne, CH
Designed as a wind wheel, this Gübelin brooch in white gold 750 sparkles with 9 brilliant-cut and
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Winking Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa: 1960s Winking Cat, clip Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, this being the larger two inch Brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold

Square-Shaped Coral with Flower Carving Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This sophisticated coral flower carving brooch is crafted in solid 18-karat yellow gold. Showcasing
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Emerald Pave Diamond Gold Frog Pin
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely charming frog pin from the 1960’s! This wonderful diamond encrusted piece depicts a
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Gold Sea Urchin Pin with Diamond
Located in New Hope, PA
This whimsical 18 karat gold pin with a diamond accent would be so much fun worn on a bathing suit
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1960s Frascarolo Italy Enamel Diamond Gold Panther Buckle
Located in San Antonio, TX
18k gold plaque buckle, centering a large enamel leopard with emerald eye and diamond mouth. Signed
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Frascarolo Milano Enameled Panther Money Clip in 18Kt Yellow Gold With Diamonds
By Frascarolo
Located in Miami, FL
figure of a roaring panther in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish The head of the
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Round Sapphire Diamond Gold Flower Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
Genuine authentic Tiffany & Co sapphire and diamond 18k yellow gold open flower pin. Circa 1960
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rosenthal Diamond Gold Platinum Eagle Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Houston, TX
Yellow gold pin marked on the back "HR 18K Plat #114". Made by Rosenthal depicts an eagle in
Category

Late 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Tiffany Co. Diamond Yellow Gold Men s Tie Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
This classic Tiffany tie bar for men is made in 18k yellow gold and features a chain suspension
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Sapphire Diamond Gold Flower Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Stamford, CT
1960's Tiffany + Co solid 18k yellow gold flower pin with one section that opens and closes to
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Andrew Grima Baguette Tourmaline Diamond Gold Pin
By Andrew Grima
Located in New York, NY
white diamonds in a three dimensional zigzag frame of polished gold. The pin catch at the rear
Category

Vintage 1960s British Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Citrine Quartz Two Birds Sitting on a Branch Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
It is a lovely vintage brooch depicting two birds sitting on a branch. It is crafted in 18K yellow
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Quartz, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Opal and Diamond Pin/Pendant
By Moshi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
vault from an estate sale and was never used. 18k yellow gold opal and diamond pin/pendant, with 1 hand
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond and White Gold Large "furry friend", Pendant, circa 1935
Located in Aspen, CO
Diamonds set in 18K white gold in the motif of a cute "furry" friend, with a natural ruby eye. He
Category

Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Carved Emerald and Coral Brooch by David Webb
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Incredibly carved Emerald and Coral Brooch by David Webb. Accented with Diamonds. With Certificate
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Coral, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 1950s Turquoise Ballerina Diamond Ruby Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This delightful vintage ballerina brooch crafted in 18 karat yellow gold weighs 24.7 grams and
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold

French 1960s Enamel and Gem-set Sea Unicorn Brooch, Jean Thierry Bondt
Located in New York, NY
, and Mauboussin, among others, this 18K gold and enamel unicorn clip brooch is set with diamonds and
Category

Mid-20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...

Boucheron 1960s Flower Pin with Blue Sapphire and Diamonds in 18 Karat Gold
By Boucheron
Located in Miami, FL
A signed Boucheron flower pin with blue Sapphire and Diamonds in 18K yellow gold with its original
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

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

Unusual Mechanical Jewelled Gold Clown Dress Clip
Located in Riverdale, NY
sapphire teeth to open and close. Beautifully rendered in both matte and shiny 18K gold. The pear shaped
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Gold Penguin Pin c1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
Darn Cute, Circa: 1960s 18K Yellow Gold Penguin Pin, Set with Rubies and a Diamond Eye.
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Blue Enamel Diamond Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Yellow gold pin marked "Tiffany K18 Italy" on the back. There are three layers of blue
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Midcentury Whimisical Van Cleef Arpels Emerald Gold Bunny Rabbit Pin
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
released a line of whimsical animal brooches made in gold. The lion is probably the most iconic of the
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Mario Buccellati Turquoise Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Butterfly Pin
By Mario Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Crafted in 18K white and yellow gold, featuring a turquoise cabochon body; the wings enhanced by 12
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Brooch white gold with diamonds and blue sapphires
Located in Milano, IT
Attraente spilla in oro bianco 18k con diamanti e zaffiri blu del 1960. 37 diamanti a taglio
Category

20th Century European Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Kutchinsky Baby Chick Pin
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in Greenwich, CT
Gold, ruby and diamond baby chick pin, signed by Kutchinsky. 1.3" length and 1" width at widest
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

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

1960 Aquamarine and Diamond Pendant/Brooch in Red Gold 750
Located in Lucerne, CH
Cool aquamarine and diamond pendant / brooch from the 1960. Outstanding design in red gold 18kt
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold

George Weil 1960 Brutalist Pendant Brooch In 18Kt Gold Diamonds And Corals
By George Weil
Located in Miami, FL
the 1960. This versatile pendant-brooch has been crafted with intricate patterns in solid yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s English Modernist Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Gold Diamond Flower Pendant or Brooch
Located in Lucerne, CH
The brooch/pendant is manufactured in yellow gold 750. Additional eyelet for chain. Beautifully
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Diamond, Emerald and 18K Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Norwood, NJ
Gold, 18 karat diamond and emerald brooch pin in the form of a butterfly. 18 round diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold

Fairy Nymph pendant brooch, 18k gold, plique-à-jour enamel 0.20 cts. diamonds
Located in VALLADOLID, ES
One of a kind Chain with a fairy or nymph pendant, in 18k gold, enamel and small diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18K Yellow Gold, Platinum and Diamond Earrings, French, C. 1960
Located in Aspen, CO
18K yellow gold and and white diamond earrings made circa 1960. The 22 fine white diamonds weigh
Category

Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Diamond Yellow Gold Flower Brooch and Ear Clips
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
A lovely suite of flower earrings and a large brooch to match. Crafted of 18k yellow gold, with a
Category

Vintage 1960s Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Ruby Diamond gold Bee Pin brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Bee Pin Brooch by Herbert Rosenthal. With 5 round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1960s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1960s Diamond Aquamarine Gold Snowflake Pin Brooch and Pendant
Located in Miami, FL
solid 18k white gold. This brooch displays a fabulous snowflake inspired design centered with 1 genuine
Category

Vintage 1960s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 15k 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.