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Antique Art Nouveau 14 Karat Diamond and Seed Pearl Enamel Flower Pendant Brooch
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique Art Nouveau 14k yellow gold diamond and seed pearl enamel flower pendant/brooch
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Victorian Ladies Yellow Gold Montreux Enamel Brooch Watch
Located in Metairie, LA
Ornate Early-20th Century 18k Gold Enamel Brooch Watch This Victorian Style, hand-crafted ladies
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Enamel Rock Crystal Ruby Diamond Brooch in the Style of Cartier
Located in New York, NY
placed on a hand carved round tube of rock crystal, all pavé set with diamonds and with enamel detailing
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby

Exquisite Art Nouveau 18 Karat Gold, Enamel and Diamond Women in Profile Brooch
Located in Lombard, IL
Exquisite antique Art Nouveau 18kt yellow gold enamel and diamond beautiful woman in profile brooch
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Art Nouveau Enameled 18 Karat Yellow Gold Swan on Diamond Lake Brooch
Located in Antwerp, BE
Envision this French Victorian 18K yellow gold brooch with a white enamelled balletic swan resting
Category

19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Fleur-de-Lis Blue Enamel, Pearls and Old Cut Diamonds Brooch Pin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
diamonds to create this beautiful creation Pin Brooch. 4 old cushion-cut diamonds approximately 0.20ct
Category

19th Century French Contemporary Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Plique A jour Brooch with Hand Enameled Royalty
Located in Warrington, PA
Antique Plique A'jour and hand enameled Brooch of an enameled queen! Outstanding example of a piece
Category

19th Century Unknown Edwardian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Russian Antique Brooch Mandoline or Domra with Enamel, 1910s
Located in Antwerp, BE
draping strap over to the body embellished with a diamond rim and blue enamelled inlay frills. Besides the
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Late Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Gold

An Art Deco 18K White Gold, Ruby Plique-à-jour Enamel Brooch! Circa 1900
Located in Pasadena, CA
An Art Deco 18K White Gold, Ruby & Plique-à-jour Enamel Brooch! Circa 1920 Mid 20th century
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Enamel

Typical Late 19th Century Gold Enameled Brooch with Bedouin Woman
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: very good condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Enamel Natural Pearl Silver Gold Heart Pendant/Brooch
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A Victorian heart pendant/brooch, comprising a central rose cut diamond and natural pearl double
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Diamond Race Horse Brooch with Jockey 1.35 Carat Diamonds
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
adorned with Diamonds picturing a jockey on a speeding race horse. Fabulous Enamel detail is displayed on
Category

Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Art Nouveau Enamel Pearl Diamond Pin
Located in Carmel, CA
This lovely Art Nouveau pin features beautiful enamel work as well as diamond and pearl accents
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Large Antique Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold Sabre Jabot Pin with Removable Scabba
Located in Pleasant Hill, CA
, featuring (1) old European-cut diamond, 0.03 ct., tw., VS, I-J, attached to the sabre is a 14k yellow gold
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Momento Mori Skull and Bones Brooch in 15 Karat Gold with Enamel and Rose Cut
Located in Houston, TX
mourning. It has an enameled skull inside which has rose cut diamond eyes. This unusual memento mori brooch
Category

Late 18th Century British Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold

Victorian 15ct Gold Blue Enamel and Rose Cut Diamond Stick Pin, Circa 1890
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A smart and sophisticated Victorian 15ct gold dark blue enamel and rose cut diamond floral motif
Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique yellow gold diamond and enamel tie pin
Located in Stratford upon Avon, GB
Yellow gold tie pin realistically modelled as a rooster. The cockscomb is detailed in red enamel
Category

Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Catalan Art Deco Enamel Diamond Silver Gold Dress Clip
Located in Barcelona, ES
black enamel and rose cut diamonds. Attributed to Marti i Vilanova.
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Art Deco Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

1890s Krementz Co. Art Nouveau Enameled Diamond Girl Pin
By Krementz Co
Located in Overland Park, KS
1890's Krementz & Co. Art Nouveau Enameled Diamond Girl Pin. Pin is 4 grams and is 25mm wide
Category

Late 19th Century American Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Adorable Art Deco Diamond Enamel and Yellow Gold Turtle Pin
Located in Southampton, NY
This whimsical Art Deco turtle brooch has a shell, tail and legs covered with round-cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Diamond Enamel Horse and Rider Platinum Art Deco Equestrian Pin
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This awesome platinum equestrian pin features a diamond horse with an enamel rider holding the
Category

1920s Art Deco Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique 18k Gold Pastel Enamel Triple Flower Pin
Located in METAIRIE, LA
Antique Circa 1875 Constructed of 18 Karat Yellow & Green Gold with Hand-Painted Enamel in Pastel
Category

1870s French Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

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

Georgian Cresent Pin, Old Mine Diamonds and Brown 18 Karat Gold and Enamel
Located in Aliso Viejo, CA
18 karat yellow gold and Enamel, Georgian style Cresent-shaped pin featuring 3 large oval-shaped
Category

Late 17th Century British Georgian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Edward Circa 1920s Prince of Wales Diamond Enamelled Service Pin 18 Carat Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
royal blue enameled banners flow beneath a bejewelled crown and diamond embellished feathers - she is
Category

Early 20th Century British Modern Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

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

American Art Deco Enameled Gold Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
naturalistically enameled, her headress set with a pearl, a diamond and tiny gems, marked "14K".
Category

1920s American Art Deco Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Beautiful Art Nouveau Arts and Crafts Enamel Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat yellow gold multi gem and multi color enamel Art Nouveau Arts Crafts pin / pendant
Category

1890s Unknown Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Stickpin with an Enamel Mask, England, 1900
Located in Heerlen, NL
An 18K. Yellow Gold Stickpin; enamel mask mounted on gold plate. England ca 1900. weight: 3.28
Category

Early 20th Century English Late Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Stick Pin in 18 Karat Gold with Portrait Miniature and Guilloche Enamel
Located in Houston, TX
Antique stick pin in 18k gold. Its a painted profile of a young gentleman. The painting in enamel
Category

16th Century British Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

19th Century Enamel Diamond Gold Transformable Ring/Brooch
Located in Barcelona, ES
First half of the 19th Century Transformable Ring/Brooch made of yellow gold, blue enamel and
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Victorian Ladies yellow Gold Diamond Enamel Shamrock Brooch Watch
By C.H. Meylan
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful ladies Victorian style Shamrock blue enamel, eighteen karat yellow gold and diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

14 Karat Gold and Diamonds Red Enamel Mechanical Ladies Fob or Brooch Watch
Located in Carlisle, GB
This beautiful antique 28mm diameter hand winding gold and diamond ladies brooch watch is in good
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel, Gold

Victorian 18 Karat Gold and Diamonds Ladies Fob / Brooch Watch
Located in Carlisle, GB
This beautiful 22mm diameter gold / diamonds brooch fob watch is in good working used condition
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

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

Art Nouveau Diamond and Pearl Pendant with Chain
Located in NY, NY
Exceptional Art Nouveau gold, light sea green Plique-a-Jour Enamel, diamond and seed pearl pendant
Category

Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold

Antique Enamel, Sapphire, Natural Pearl and Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Istanbul, TR
This 15k gold Brooch is with Natural sea pearls , sapphire , enamel and diamond. Center Diamond is
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Enamel

Blue Enamel Diamond Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
Antique blue enamel and diamond brooch decorated with a gold and diamond flower design surrounded
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Krementz Co. Art Nouveau Enamel Diamond Brooch
By Krementz Co
Located in New York, NY
An American Art Nouveau 14 karat gold and enameled brooch with diamond by Krementz & Co. The brooch
Category

Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Antique Enamel Diamond Snake Brooch
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This gorgeous Enamel snake brooch is in almost perfect condition and comes in its original box
Category

1890s Unknown Early Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Edwardian Diamonds Blue Enamel Pin Brooch, 1910
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Fine Edwardian brooch with Diamonds and Blue Enamel. Center represents a star-shaped circle with a
Category

1910s Edwardian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Art Nouveau Enamel Diamond Silver Gold Brooch
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
Feminine and beautiful art nouveau brooch, in a pleasant and modest size, rendered in silver over
Category

Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

Cartier Art Deco Coral, Diamond and Enamel Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A Cartier Art Deco Coral, Diamond and Enamel Brooch with polished coral batons, French and old-cut
Category

1920s Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Enamel

Art Nouveau Enamel Old Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in London, GB
with Plique-a-jour enamelling. Old cut diamonds with natural pearl. Central diamond 0.9ct
Category

1890s French Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel

Victorian Ruby Diamond and Enamel Cockatrice Brooch
Located in London, GB
Here we have an exquisite Victorian brooch. This 19th-century piece showcases a striking cockatrice
Category

19th Century Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

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

Antique enamelled gold brooch with diamond cloverleaf
Located in PARIS, FR
Broche ancienne en or 14 carats (585 millièmes) et argent du début du 20ème siècle. De forme ronde, elle est entourée d'une ligne de diamants taille rose. Son fond est rehaussé d'éma...
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver, Enamel

Flower Enamel Diamond Gold Golden-Daisy Brooch Pendant
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Fine brooch a true example of the beginning of the 20th-century era. Delicate detailing of the
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Enamel

Toliro Diamond Garnet Enamel Watch Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
14k yellow gold Toliro Jewelry Company vintage brooch featuring an enamel watch accented by .05cts
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, White Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Blue Enamel Diamonds Pearls Cognac Citrine Brooch, 1900
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
seeds and old-cut Diamonds. A beautiful brooch, perfectly celebrating the fine era of its creation. The
Category

Early 20th Century Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Enamel

Art Nouveau Diamond Coral Enamel Brooch/Pendant 18K
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This lovely brooch/pendant is from the Art Nouveau era and is very interesting. The brooch is 1 3/4
Category

1890s Italian Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Enamel

Victorian Gold Enamel Diamond Fringe Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully constructed 18kt Yellow Gold Enamel & Old Mine Diamond Brooch with a Graduated Fringe
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Turquoise, Diamond, 18k Gold

1850s Enamel Diamond Flower Branch Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
guarantee. This beautifully made diamond and enamel brooch features flowers, petals and leaves set with
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Enamel Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1890s, 14k, American. This extraordinary antique diamond and enamel butterfly brooch is a
Category

1890s American Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

White Diamond, 14k Gold

Risler Carré Enamel and Diamond Brooch
By A. Risler Carre
Located in London, GB
A Risler & Carré, French, Belle Époque, enamel and diamond brooch, with rose-cut diamond set
Category

Early 1900s French Belle Époque Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Natural Sapphire Cabochon Diamond Enamel Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
Authentic unusual Art Nouveau Brooch is crafted in 18K rose gold and is adorned with one Large Oval
Category

Early 1900s Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

FOUQUET Gold, Aquamarine, Diamond Enamel Brooch
By Fouquet
Located in London, GB
Magnificent Art Nouveau brooch in 18ct yellow gold symmetrically designed with a central aquamarine
Category

Late 19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Aquamarine, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau Opalescent Enamel Diamond Gold Platinum Diamond Pin Brooch
Located in New York, NY
enamel bird accented with ruby eyes and single cut diamonds set in platinum wings. Due to age of this
Category

Early 1900s American Victorian Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Antique Enamel and Diamond Pheasant Brooch, English, circa 1880
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique Enamel and Diamond Pheasant Brooch, English C.1880. The body and tail encrusted with
Category

19th Century Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Enamel

Antique Enamel and Diamond Flower Brooch of 14k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
Delicate and beautifully detailed, this antique brooch (circa 1890) features a purple enamel flower
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel

Antique Enamel Diamond Dragonfly Pin-Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A diamond studded hand-painted enamel dragonfly from the 19th century. Made in 14K gold this piece
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact antique enamel diamond brooch you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Each design created in this style — which was crafted with great care and often made from Gold, Enamel and 18k Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. You’re likely to find the perfect antique enamel diamond brooch among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 18th Century as well as those 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. Finding an appealing antique enamel diamond brooch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Fabergé, A. J. Hedges Co. and Black, Starr Frost each produced a popular version that is worth a look. An antique enamel diamond brooch of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 100, is particularly popular. An old european cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also round cut and rose cut versions for sale. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking an antique enamel diamond brooch, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Antique Enamel Diamond Brooch?

Prices for an antique enamel diamond brooch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $354 and can go as high as $42,188, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,500.

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.