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Black Starr Frost Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Tiger Brooch
By Black, Starr Frost
Located in Philadelphia, PA
hinged pinstem with locking closure Stamped for 18 karat gold and tested as platinum With maker's mark
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 1960s Diamond and Emerald Palm Tree Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round cut Emeralds weighing approximately a total of 10.00
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 1960s Diamond Gold Flower Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
1960s vintage Van Cleef & Arpels brooch, in 18k gold, with approx. 0.60ctw FG/VVS diamonds. Brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

.3 Carat Diamond Blue Enamel Yellow Gold Turtle Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Blue enamel Turtle brooch in 18k yellow gold with a bright full cut Diamond eye. 1 round full cut
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Carved Emerald and Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Carved Emerald and Diamond Brooch An ornate brooch set with a carved emerald centerpiece, accented
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Diamond Sapphire Brooch – G. Petochi Roma
Located in Milano, MI
Elegant brooch signed G. Petochi Roma, crafted in the 1960s in 18ct white gold. A fine example of
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Floral Cluster 18 Karat Yellow Gold 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, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Elegant Rock Crystal Sapphire Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Lovely Rock Crystal Sapphire Diamond Flower Brooch set in 18k with a hand carved rock crystal
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rock Crystal, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Sapphire and Diamond Bouquet Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Sapphire and Diamond Bouquet Brooch A yellow gold floral bouquet brooch, set with 6 oval and 2
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Sapphire and Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Crescent Moon Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, GB
Tiffany & Co sapphire and diamond 18 karat white gold crescent moon brooch circa 1960. This eye
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

French 1960s Retro Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. This vintage gold brooch stylizes a draped
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Ruby and Diamond Arrow Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Ruby and Diamond Arrow Brooch A white gold brooch shaped as a arrow and hexagon Approximate
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier Emerald Ruby and Diamond Turtle Brooch
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
vintage piece has been crafted from 18ct yellow gold into the form of a turtle. At its heart lies a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 18 Karat Gold 0.40 Carat Diamond Structural Bow Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a vintage structural bow pin brooch crafted in 18K gold. Circa 1960. The piece features
Category

Mid-20th Century Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond and Turquoise Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 carat yellow gold, eagle head hallmark. In the form of a crossed ribbon with 4
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

French 1960s Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow White Gold Leaf Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow and white gold, eagle head hallmark. Airy, this retro brooch represents a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Unique 1960s Australian Mintabie Black Opal Natural Pearl Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in Miami Beach, FL
This large brooch features floral hand carved Mintabie black opal plaques, cognac diamonds, and
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold

Brilliant Tourmaline Brooch Made in the Post-War 1960 What a Magnificent Work
Located in Viena, Viena
gold work set with full-cut and octagonal brilliant-cut diamonds total approx. 0.55 ct, TW (fine white
Category

Vintage 1960s European Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold

Rare Bulgari Sapphire Diamond Foliate Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
. Mounted on 18kt yellow gold. Bulgari, circa 1960.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Andrew Grima 18 Karat Gold, Citrine and Diamond Brooch
By Andrew Grima
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
Grima. Formed from 18 karat gold this 'nest' style brooch is crafted with satin-finished gold bars which
Category

Vintage 1960s British Modernist Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Dolphin Pin
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A charming mid-century 18K yellow gold dolphin brooch, beautifully sculpted with smooth, flowing
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Company Vintage Large Diamond Sea Urchin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Winter Springs, FL
Here is a very hard-to-find piece of Tiffany & Company jewelry. This large size sea urchin brooch
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18 kt. White Gold Brooch with 1.52 ct. Brilliant Cut Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Magnificant 18 kt. White Gold Brooch with 1.52 ct. Brilliant Cut Diamonds Diamonds: Brilliant cut
Category

20th Century Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Diamond and Ruby Bow Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Diamond and ruby bow brooch in 18k yellow gold. Center of the brooch set with 0.40 - 0.50 carat
Category

Mid-20th Century European Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch with Diamonds and Deep Red Rubies
Located in Antwerp, BE
18 kt Yellow Gold Brooch With Diamonds & Deep Red Rubies Diamonds: 4 brilliant cut diamonds Ruby
Category

20th Century Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1960s Yellow Gold Poodle Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine vintage 18 karat yellow gold brooch in the form of a poodle; part of our vintage jewelry and
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Mid-Century Tourmaline Coral Diamond Kitty Cat Brooch Yellow Gold
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Lisbon, PT
Tiffany & Co. Mid-Century tourmaline, coral and diamond kitty cat brooch in 18kt yellow gold, circa
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage ScorpionDiamond Coral 18 Karat Gold Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
your life with this stunning Vintage Diamond 18K Gold Scorpion Oval Cabochon Pin Brooch! The body of
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Marquise Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Abstract Open Work Brooch
Located in London, GB
the stones are perfectly claw set on an 18 carat white gold abstract open work base that gives this
Category

Vintage 1960s English Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Retro Continental Ruby Pink Tourmaline Diamond Gold Leaf Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Continental European made 18k yellow gold vintage brooch, depicting a leaf, set with approx. 0.25ct
Category

Vintage 1960s European Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold

Hammerman Brothers Gold and Emerald Turtle Brooch
By Hammerman Brothers
Located in Darnestown, MD
Charming turtle brooch by Hammerman Brothers with fine detail. The shell of the turtle is covered
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s David Webb Kunzite Diamond and Enamel Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted with blue and green enamel over 18k yellow gold with a center Kunzite weighing
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Kunzite, 18k Gold, Enamel

John Donald Morganite, Diamond and Gold Brooch 1972
By John Donald
Located in New York, NY
A faceted Morganite, diamond and 18 karat gold brooch, by John Donald, 1972. The brooch is stamped
Category

Vintage 1970s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Morganite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Vintage Diamond Set Bow Brooch 14 Karat Yellow White Rose Gold
Located in London, GB
A vintage diamond set bow brooch in 14 karat yellow, white and rose gold, circa 1960 This
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

JOHN DONALD 1969 Modernist Brooch In 18Kt Yellow Gold Diamonds Sapphires
By John Donald
Located in Miami, FL
highly collectable modernist brooch has been carefully crafted with parts made up in solid yellow gold of
Category

Vintage 1960s English Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 18K Platinum Ruby Old European Cut Diamond Feather Leaf Brooch 11.68cttw
Located in Winter Springs, FL
Vintage brooch circa the 1960’s done in 18K and platinum and set with numerous natural Burmese
Category

Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

French 1960s Diamond Emerald Sapphire Flower Knot Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
French made, circa 1960s 18k gold flower brooch, featuring knot design and movable flower heads
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold

Diamond Swirl Brooch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold 2.05 Carat, circa 1960s
Located in Wailea, HI
Diamond Swirl Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold 2.05 Carats Circa 1960's A Lovely Gift Eighty Two Round
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier France 1960s Yellow Gold Diamond and Red Cabochon Stone Lion Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Cartier France 18K yellow Gold Whimsical Lion Brooch, Measuring 1 3/8 inches X 1 3/4
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels VCA Jester Diamond Coral Enamel Clip Brooch Yellow Gold Cased
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Lisbon, PT
yellow and white gold, France, in maker’s case, circa 1960. Identical brooch formerly in collection of
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Vintage Floral 0.50 Carat Ruby Dust Design on Leafs Brooch Pin 18k Gold
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Floral 0.50 Carat Ruby Brooch Pin 18k Gold. This brooch really speaks for itself with the
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique 0.98 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Cluster Floral Brooch in Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
An intricately designed antique brooch made of 18K yellow gold, featuring a floral motif. Accented
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ben Rosenfeld Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Brooch, 1961
By Ben Rosenfeld
Located in London, GB
This wonderful horse brooch designed by British jeweller, Ben Rosenfeld is crafted in 18 carat
Category

Vintage 1960s English Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Cabochon Turquoise and Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Flower Brooch
Located in London, GB
This wonderful floral brooch is beautifully set with 45 round brilliant and swiss cut diamonds of
Category

Vintage 1960s British Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Large Rose Quartz Diamond Orchid Brooch
Located in New York, NY
, sustained by 18kt yellow gold pistils, embellished by brilliant cut diamonds weighing 2.5cts total. United
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Quartz, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s 6.30 Carat Sapphire Flower Brooch with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold with Round cut Sapphires weighing approximately a total
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Blue Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s 12.80 Carat Ruby Flower Brooch with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold with Round cut Rubies weighing approximately a total of
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Blue Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Floral Motif Diamond Platinum Lapel Pin Brooch Pendant
Located in Miami, FL
in 200 pave diamonds. This elegant lapel brooch and pendant is collectively adorned with 11.40 carats
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Ben Rosenfeld Ruby and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Foliate Brooch
By Ben Rosenfeld
Located in London, GB
approximately 0.45 carats all claw set within the textured leaves. The brooch is finally fitted with a secure 18
Category

Vintage 1960s English Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 1960s 13.00 Carat Ruby and 10.00 Carat Diamond Tulips Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Square cut invisible-set Rubies weighing approximately a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Large Elegant Gold Brooch in a Loop Shape 18 Karat Gold with Rubies and Diamonds
Located in Berlin, DE
Large, elegant gold brooch in a loop shape. 18 Karat gold with rubies and diamonds. A ruby stone
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Maltese Cross Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Maltese Cross Brooch A white gold and yellow gold brooch set with a
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Tutti Frutti Carved Sapphire Emerald Ruby Diamond Basket Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite "Tutti Frutti" 18k Yellow Gold Flower Basket Brooch with diamonds, rubies, carved
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage French Jean Thierry Bondt 18K Yellow Gold Balloon Diamond Coral Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Vintage French Jean Thierry Bondt 18K Yellow Gold Balloon Diamond Coral Pin. This
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Emerald Diamond and Enamel Tiger Brooch Frascarolo
By Frascarolo
Located in Firenze, IT
Round emerald and circular-cut diamonds, polychrome enamel, 1969, 6.2 cm, maker's mark for
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Herbert Rosenthal Diamond and Ruby 3D Bee Brooch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
personality! Type: Brooch Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Natural Diamonds: 2.58 ctw Diamond cut: Round Brilliant
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

NALLY Yellow and Colorless Diamond Bow Brooch
Located in New York, NY
weighing approx. 6.50 carats diamonds color F- G, clarity VS . Made in 18k yellow gold. Measuring 2"x1.25"
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

Yellow Diamond, Diamond, 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.