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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

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

Cartier Paris Large Round Diamond Amethyst Turquoise Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite brooch designed as a flower centering one round amethyst approx. 35.00 cts., encircled
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Platinum

Important Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An important diamond and natural (no heat/treat) Ceylon sapphire brooch, mounted on 18kt white gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ruby Emerald Diamond Lion Cub Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Lion cub 18k yellow gold brooch with ruby, emerald and white diamonds. Signed CF. Hand textured
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Bulgari Unusual Turquoise Diamond Palm Tree Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
An unusual Bulgari brooch mounted in 18kt yellow gold resembling a Palm tree branch, embellished
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

1950s French Ruby Emerald Chrysoprase Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark. Lovely retro brooch, it represents a bird of
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Chrysophrase, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...

Important Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An important diamond and natural (no heat/treat) Ceylon sapphire brooch, mounted on 18kt white gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Length: 2 inches Metal Type: 18 karat Yellow Gold Weight: 13.1 grams Center
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Tiffany Co. Diamond Bow Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
Dating from circa 1997, this 18K gold Tiffany & Co. bow brooch is set with over 7 carats of
Category

Late 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Gold Grapevine Brooch with 2 Carat Rubies and .45 Carat Diamonds
Located in Manhasset, NY
Vintage 18 Kt Yellow Gold Grapevine Brooch w. 2 Ct Rubies and .45 Ct Diamonds. Italy.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s David Webb Coral Rooster Brooch with Emeralds and Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with a carved Coral in the shape of a rooster featuring 9
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Schlumberger Aquamarine Diamond Floral "Cousins" Brooch
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany Co.
Located in Dallas, TX
Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. Aquamarine and Diamond "Cousins" Brooch in 18K Yellow Gold and
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1960s Bow Leaf Pendant Brooch with Diamonds and Sapphires in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Hicksville, NY
diamonds and French cut blue sapphires. It is hallmarked KNG. Circa: 1960s Metal Type: 18 Karat Yellow
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold

5.6 Carat Lizard Diamond and Multi-Gem Pin 18K Gold
Located in New York, NY
18K gold, this lizard pin not only showcases the diamonds beautifully but also ensures durability and
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold

Diamond Brooch Designed as a Five-fingered Cinquefoil
Located in New York, NY
Flower brooch crafted in 18k yellow gold, designed as a five-fingered cinquefoil flower, centered
Category

Late 20th Century European Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Frascarolo Gold and Enamel Dog Brooch
By PIERINO FRASCAROLO
Located in Darnestown, MD
nose and a diamond collar. Long, waving ears are indicative of his (or her) playful character. The
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel

David A. Thomas Peridot Diamond Spray Brooch, England, 1969
Located in New York, NY
A midsummer gust in gold and green. This expressive brooch—part botanical fantasia, part mid
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gold 18 Karat Brooch Witt White Diamonds, Blue Sapphire, Ruby and Turquoise
Located in Milano, Lombardia
White gold 18 kt brooch with white diamonds, blue sapphire, ruby and turquoise total weight of gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

Marc Koven 1960s Ram of Abraham In The Bush Diamond Rubelite Gold Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Marc Koven very large, Ram of Abraham and Impressive 18K Yellow Gold brooch in the
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold

Oscar Heyman Yellow Gold Diamond Gemstone Flower Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
leaves, set in 18k yellow gold. With Oscar Heyman 'HB' hallmark. CONDITION: Pre-owned DESIGNER
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Vintage 1960s Frascarolo Tiger Brooch
By Frascarolo
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold, white, black, and red enamel with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage French Snowflake 18K Rose Gold This exquisite Vintag Cluster Diamond Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This exquisite Vintage High Quality made Diamond Snowfleks Brooch pin is made of solid 18K Rose
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Fantasy Style Vintage 18 Karat White Gold Brooch
Located in Montreal, QC
One( 1) vintage white 18k gold (stamped) fantasy style ring. Polished and rhodium finish. Weighs 15
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Multi Gem Floral Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Multi Gem Floral Brooch An 18-karat yellow gold brooch set with 33 round cut diamonds, 9 round cut
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef Arpels Enamel Diamond Flower Brooch, Pair
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
A chic pair of enamel and diamond flower brooches by Van Cleef & Arpels in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Sapphire and diamond Catherine wheel style brooch/ pendant
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully crafted 18kt white gold brooch of fine blue sapphires and brilliant cut white diamonds
Category

Mid-20th Century French Post-War Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

A Stunning Set of Van Cleef Arpels Yellow Gold Diamond &Baroque Pearl Brooches
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This shimmering set of diamond and pearl brooches by Van Cleef & Arpels scintillate with every
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Opal, Ruby and Diamond Brooch, hallmarked 1967
Located in London, GB
crafted in 18 carat yellow gold with a pin back. The hallmark dates the piece to 1967. Gemstone: Diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Cartier Whimsical Dragon Lion Diamond Ruby Emerald Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Emerald Vintage Lion Dragon Pin Brooch by Cartier. A truly whimsical
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold

0.94ctw Diamond 0.13ctw Sapphire Horse Pin/Pendant Set In 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Sewickley, PA
This striking 18k yellow gold pendant/pin showcases a dynamic duo of sculpted horse heads framed
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage 18ct Gold Enamel Hedgehog Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Hedgehog Brooch 18ct Gold Circa 1960’s Beautiful vintage hedgehog brooch. Set with a
Category

Mid-20th Century English Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Brooch from ANGELETTI PRIVATE COLLECTION Gold with Peridot Green Tourmal
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Jade Brooch From ANGELETTI PRIVATE COLLECTION White and Yellow gold 18kt with Diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Classical Roman Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s Cartier Rabbit Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold with Turquoises, Sapphires, Diamonds, and a Ruby
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Lion Brooch, 18KT Gold, 1962
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Braintree, GB
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS 18KT GOLD LION BROOCH, 1962 A highly collectable 18kt gold lion brooch by Van
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Dragonfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Platinum, Gold, Cabochon Sapphire and Diamond Dragonfly Brooch This brooch has a center oval
Category

Late 20th Century European Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Vintage 18k Sapphire and Diamond Penguin Pin
Located in Narberth, PA
A very charming penguin pin from the Vintage (ca1960s) era! Crafted in 18k yellow gold, this
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamond, Emerald and Rock Crystal Lily Of The Valley Flowers Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
Material: 18 kt white gold and 18 kt yellow gold Length: 8.4 cm Weight: 26.38 gr. This beautiful
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Vintage 18 Karat Gold 0.51 Carat Diamond Red Enamel Floral Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is an amazing floral pin brooch. Circa 1960. The piece is crafted in 18K gold and 850
Category

20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Enamel

Vintage Cartier Monture Platinum Diamond Brooch Pin Clip
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
: 8.0 grams. The clasp is made of 18 karat white gold. Stamped with Cartier maker's mark, serial number
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, White Gold

18kt Gold Gem-Set Mechanical “Stealing Time” Brooch Watch C.1960s
Located in Braintree, GB
1960s 18kt Gold & Gem-Set Mechanical “Stealing Time” Brooch Watch A bold and humorous piece of
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold

Citrine and Diamond Retro Leaf Brooch, Sasportas, France, 1960s
By Sasportas
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A citrine and diamond retro leaf brooch made by Sasportas, France, ca. 1960s. The Madeira citrines
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 1960s Diamond, Ruby, Enamel David Webb Floral Brooch
By David Webb
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fabulous floral brooch by David Webb, circa 1960, from the vintage fine jewelry collection at
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Ruby and Diamond Flower Brooch Mystery-Invisibly Set Rubies
Located in New York, NY
Ruby and Diamond Flower Brooch This brooch has invisibly set ruby petals and round brilliant-cut
Category

Mid-20th Century French Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

2.50 Ct Natural Sapphire .70 Ct Diamond Fly Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
Mesmerizing Fly This stunning mid century fly brooch is 1960 ca Utterly beautiful quality, superbly
Category

Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Diamond Gold Swirled Leaf Clip
Located in Riverdale, NY
Elegant Gold Swirled Leaf clip of 18K gold textured leaves, some accented with tiny diamonds (14 in
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hand Painted Woman Pendant or Brooch
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful pendant/brooch with hand painted portrait of woman wearing diamond necklace, earring, and
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Art Nouveau Style Blue Sapphire Mixed Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
vintage sapphire brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow and white gold. The curvilinear asymmetric, Art
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, White Gold

Estate Vintage 14k Diamond Vine Leaf Brooch Pin 4.65cttw G-Vs
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A beautifully handmade brooch crafted in 14k yellow gold (18k wash for color) and set with
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Brooch Hipo attribuited to Donald Claflin
Located in MADRID, ES
Hippopotamus brooch attribuited to Donald Claflin, with a head decorated with diamond paving. The
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

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

Van Cleef and Arpels Emerald and Diamond Floral Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Measurements: 3.13" x 2" Signed: Van Cleef & Arpels NY, and numbered Circa 1960's Metal Type: 18-karat gold
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Frog Pin w/Diamonds, Sapphires Emeralds by E. Wolfe
By E. Wolfe Company
Located in Palm Beach, FL
wonderful frog brooch is typical of their life like animal creations. The textured 18k yellow gold body is
Category

Mid-20th Century English Modern Brooches

Materials

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

David Webb Carved Emerald Dragon Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
emerald. The body is set with yellow sapphires with textured gold details. The head is set with diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Lapis Turquoise 3.00ct Diamond Gold Pin
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning 18k yellow and white gold pin from the 1960s. The pin features lovely cabochon
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 7.95 carat Sapphire and 4.75 carat Diamond Platinum Pendant/Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
an 18k white gold, 18" chain via an integrated ring loop to the reverse of the setting. This vintage
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Vintage French 38.65 Carat Oval Cut Citrine and Ruby Gold Turtle Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
(Niton XL2 Analyzer) and verified as 18k gold. The brooch is supplied with an independent diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Vintage Poodle Brooch, c.1960s
Located in London, GB
. Gemstone: Diamond Stone Shape: Eight Cut Carat Weight: 0.04 Colour: G Clarity: VS Metal: 18ct Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.