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Panther Sapphire Diamond Emerald 18K Gold Cat Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
1980s  Vinatge 18K yellow gold panther brooch pave-set with 270 diamonds weighing approximately
Category

Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Magnesite, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Bunch Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing brooch in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with leaves studded with diamonds and
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

1960s White Gold Brooch with Hand-Carved Chalcedony Diamonds
Located in Milano, MI
Elegant 1960s brooch, crafted in 18ct white gold and featuring a delicate hand-carved chalcedony
Category

Vintage 1960s European Brooches

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, White Gold

1960s Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Poodle Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive 0.02 carat ruby and 0.07 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and 18 carat white gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

18K Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Serpent Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking and sculptural vintage brooch crafted in richly textured 18K yellow gold, designed as a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Topazs, Diamonds, 18 Karat Yellow Gold Retrò Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing retrò brooch in 18 kt yellow gold structure mounted with topazs and, between of them
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
collection. Material: 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 11.7 grams Gemstone: Diamond 2.50 cttw - approximately
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef Arpels 1960 19.70 CTW Multi-Gem 18K Gold Platinum Vintage Bee Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized yellow gold bee with curving wings and spindly legs Featuring a cushion
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Pearl, Sapphires, Diamonds, Rose Gold Dancer Brooch/Pendant.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fashion dancer brooch/pendant in 9 kt rose gold structure mounted with a sapphire and diamonds on
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique 9ct Gold Stamped 1960’s Mother of Pearl, Onyx Diamond Cat Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Cat Brooch 9ct Gold Stamped Circa 1960s This gorgeous antique cat brooch is a must-have
Category

Mid-20th Century English Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold

Vintage Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald Gold Spray Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
ruby and 18 karat gold spray brooch; part of our diverse gemstone jewelry collections. This fine and
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Ruby Diamond Gold Floral Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted floral brooch in 18kt white gold with cabochon rubies (30 cts total) and diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels, 18K Gold Diamond Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
. With a total of approximately 3ct of diamonds, this brooch is perfect for both daily wear and special
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Topaz, Rubies, Diamonds, 14 Karat Rose Gold Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing brooch in 14 karat rose gold structure mounted with a central topaz; laterally, diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Antique White Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
detailed 14-karat white gold metalwork encircles the stone, set with an additional 38 diamonds. This piece
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique White Diamond Brooch
Antique White Diamond Brooch
$15,750 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage 1960s Gold Flower Brooch with Rubies and Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1960s Continental Diamond Gold Leaf Motif Brooch
Located in New York, NY
1960s , Continental European made 18k gold brooch, set with approx. 0.50ctw H/VS-SI1 diamonds. The
Category

Vintage 1960s European Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

1960s 18k gold dog brooch with diamonds and emeralds
Located in London, GB
This delightful 1960s puppy brooch is intricately made. Its eyes and collar are made of diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s European Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage 1960s Gold Flower Brooch with Emeralds and Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold and platinum with8 Cabochon Emeralds weighing approximately a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Handmade 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Lion Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
A Modern pendant/brooch lion head, circa 1960. The very well made hand executed lion head can be
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Vintage 1950s Pair Diamond Gold Diamond Bow Brooches
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Vintage 1950s Pair Diamond Gold Diamond Bow Brooches A pair of 18k yellow gold swirl design
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Regal 18K White Gold Sapphire and Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This intricately designed pavé-set diamond flower brooch with extending calibré-cut sapphire
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Diamond And Emerald Large Gold Brooch
Located in Cairo, EG
Vintage 18k yellow and white gold large brooch with an estimate brilliant diamond weight of 4
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

David Webb 1960s Jade Aquamarine Diamond Enamel Gold Brooch Pendant
By David Webb
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
aquamarine stone. A round diamond set at the center adds a refined focal point. The gold element is further
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Oval-Shaped White Gold and Diamond Brooch
Located in Milano, Lombardia
beautiful combination of white gold and diamonds, this brooch offers both elegance and refined craftsmanship.
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18k White Gold Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Boston, MA
back of the brooch, which reads "750," indicating its composition of 18k gold. This vintage diamond
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Coral, Sapphires, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing dragonfly brooch in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with coral and sapphires on
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage Ruby Diamond Spider Brooch Pin 15 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in London, GB
A vintage ruby and diamond set spider brooch pin 15 karat yellow gold, Circa 1960 A perfect
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, 15k Gold

1960s gold brooch
Located in Milano, MI
Important brooch set in 18ct gold, finely hand made with small huit-huit cut diamonds on the
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Open Work Leaf Brooch
Located in London, GB
yellow gold. The whimsical piece is beautifully decorated with 4 round brilliant cut diamonds, weighing
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Sapphire, Diamonds, Spinel, Rose Gold and Silver Butterfly Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Retrò butterfly brooch/pendant in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with a sapphire and a
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Spinel, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage 1960s Turquoise, Diamond Sapphire 18K Yellow Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1960s Turquoise, Diamond & Sapphire Pin/Pendant – 18K Yellow Gold Elevate your collection
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, Yellow Gold

15K Gold Pearl, Diamond Retro Bar Brooch, with Security Chain.
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
luster set within diamond embellished shoulders of 0.20ct in total approx. 55mm long the brooch is
Category

Vintage 1960s Australian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold

Bvlgari, 18K Gold Coral Turquoise Diamond Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
About 59 round diamonds total approx. 6.0ct. With a foldable hook for necklace. With original box
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Garnets, Sapphires, Diamonds, Pearl, Rose Gold and Silver Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fantastic flower retrò brooch/pendant in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure studded with diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Lucky clover diamond vinage brooch pin 18k gold, lucky jewels, two tones gold
Located in PARIS, FR
Lucky clover diamond brooch in 18 karat two-tone gold. This lucky brooch features a brilliant-cut
Category

Vintage 1960s European Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ribbon Brooch with Old Cut Diamond in White Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
Lovely Ribbon Brooch in White Gold 750. Prong set with one fine old cut Diamond of 2.03 ct and J
Category

Vintage 1960s Swiss Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Julius Cohen Gold Diamond Pearl Grapes Cluster Brooch
By Julius Cohen
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Julius Cohen Yellow Gold Cluster of Grapes whimsical Brooch, measuring 1 x 1 inch,very
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

Mid Century diamond 18k yellow gold and enamel giant fish brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This Mid-Century brooch from the 1960’s is crafted in 18k yellow and white gold with detailed
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond Pearl Spray Brooch 18k White Gold
Located in Wallkill, NY
Diamond and Pearl Spray Brooch set in 18K White Gold Hallmarked. Featuring 9 Round Cultured Pearls
Category

Vintage 1960s Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Gold

14 Natural Sapphires and Diamonds White Gold Turtle Brooch
By Lischetti
Located in Roma, IT
Exquisite handcrafted turtle brooch set with 14 natural beautiful Sapphires, "Dolce vita" style!
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold

David Webb Platinum 18K Gold 1960 s Maltese Lapis, Enamel Cross Style Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
The David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold 1960's Lapis, White Enamel and Diamond Maltese Cross
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

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

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

1960s French Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold 18 Karat Elephant Brooch Clip
Located in Geneva, CH
The exquisite 1960's French diamond ruby yellow gold 18K Elephant brooch clip. This stunning
Category

Vintage 1960s French Aesthetic Movement Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

David Webb 1960 New York Pendant-Brooch in 18kt Gold with 2.42 Cts in Gemstones
By David Webb
Located in Miami, FL
Pendant Brooch designed by David Webb. Gorgeous and bold versatile piece, created in New York city
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

French Retro Diamond and Lapis Lazuli Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
An elegant French Retro Diamond and Lapis Lazuli Brooch mounted in 18k Yellow Gold. Made in France
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Sapphire Diamond Cat Brooch 18 Karat Yellow White Gold
Located in London, GB
A vintage sapphire and diamond set cat brooch in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, circa 1960
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Diamond Ruby Emerald Onyx 18K Gold Parrot Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Diamond Ruby Emerald Onyx18K Gold Parrot Pin Brooch See life in Vivid colors with these
Category

Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Dog s Head Yellow Gold 18K Ruby Sapphire Diamond Brooch 1960S
Located in Geneva, CH
A lovely dog's head Brooch in yellow gold 18K set by round diamonds, cabochon ruby eyes and
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage 18KT Yellow Gold White Enamel and Diamond Frog Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite 18kt yellow gold and white enamel frog brooch from the 1960s boasts a dazzling
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Bulgari Vintage Bring Back the Brooch 34 Carat Pave Diamond Gold Floral Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Vintage diamond brooch boasting 34 carats of the finest round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k yellow
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Bulgari Vintage Bring Back The Brooch 34 Carat Pave Diamond Gold Floral Brooch
By Bulgari
Located in Feasterville, PA
Vintage diamond brooch boasting 34 carats of the finest round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k yellow
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

VCA 1960s 18k gold, turquoise, ruby and diamond chick brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in London, GB
This delightful 1960s VCA chick brooch is made of 18k gold and is adorned with small round cut
Category

Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Cameo, Topazs, Rubies, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Brooch/Pendant.
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
topazs, rubies and diamonds. The brooch will come with a silver chain plated in rose gold or a rubber
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Topaz, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Turquoise Emeralds Diamonds Rubies 14 Karat Yellow Gold Frog Brooch
Located in Marcianise, IT
Extraordinary antique frog-shaped brooch, a piece of fine jewelry crafted in 18-karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

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

Multicolor Sapphires, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Brooch/Pendant Necklace
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Amazing brooch/pendant necklace in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with a sapphire
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Vintage Diamond, Emerald, and Garnet Frog Brooch in 14K Gold
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Whimsical and refined, this vintage 14K yellow gold frog brooch is a masterful blend of charm and
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, 14k Gold

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1960 Diamond Gold Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact 1960 diamond gold 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 1759 vintage or 1 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. If you’re looking for a 1960 diamond gold brooch from a specific time period, our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and you’ll find at least one that dates back to the 19th Century while another version may have been produced as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Creating a 1960 diamond gold brooch has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by Van Cleef Arpels, Tiffany Co. and Cartier are consistently popular. See these pages for a round cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also brilliant cut cut and cabochon cut versions available here, too. If you’re browsing our inventory for a 1960 diamond gold brooch, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and men.

How Much is a 1960 Diamond Gold Brooch?

Prices for a 1960 diamond gold brooch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $361 and can go as high as $375,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $5,721.

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.