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18 Karat Gold Tsavorite Diamond Butterfly Brooch by Tiffany Co., 1989
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Zurich, CH
Gracious 18 karat gold tsavorite and diamond "Butterfly" brooch by Tiffany & Co., 1989. Crafted in
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Handcraft Butterfly 14 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphires Ruby Emeralds Diamonds Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
Butterfly 14 karat yellow gold and 800 thousandths silver brooch. Butterfly Handmade by our
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold,...

Diamonds Rubies Emeralds Sapphires, 9k Gold and Silver, Butterfly Pendant/Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
structure with butterfly design. The butterfly's body is realized in 9k rose gold with diamonds and a
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Butterfly Brooch Pin Blue Sapphire and Diamonds Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The butterfly brooch features an oval cut faceted Ceylon blue sapphire of of brilliant color and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches

Materials

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

Handcraft Butterfly 14 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamonds Enamel Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. 14 karat yellow and white gold brooch. Butterfly Handmade by our craftsmen
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Enamel

Handcraft Butterfly 18 Karat White and Yellow Gold Pearl Diamonds Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
, we will be happy to satisfy your every need. Butterfly 18 karat white and yellow gold brooch
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brooches

Materials

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

Red Coral, Tsavorite, and Diamond 18K Yellow Gold Mariposas Butterfly Brooch
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Gems envision a butterfly for this whimsical brooch. 18k yellow gold is the base, as brilliant cut
Category

Early 2000s American Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

18 Karat Gold Agate Butterfly Carving Diamond Pearl Contemporary Pendant Brooch
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 karat gold agate butterfly carving diamond pearl contemporary pendant brooch. The process of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Gold Butterfly Pin Brooch Clip Diamond Opal Sapphire Emerald Ruby
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
diamonds, faceted rubies, sapphires and emeralds. The brooch measures 2-1/8 x 2-1/8 inches (5.5 x 5.5
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Opal, White Gold, Yellow Go...

Van Cleef Arpels Turquose Diamond 18 Karat Gold Papillon Butterfly Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed a stylized butterfly featuring inlaid turquoise wings  Opaque strong robin's egg blue in
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond Multi-Color Gemstone Ruby Sapphire Emerald Pearl Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A proud butterfly featuring 2.45 carats of diamonds and studded with 0.70 carats of multi-colored
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k G...

Ruby, Cabochon Emerald and Diamond Butterfly Brooch Set in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Ruby 9.49 carats with Cabochon Emerald 0.16 carat and Diamond 1.07 carats Brooch set in 18 Karat
Category

2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Handcraft Butterfly 18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Ruby Diamonds Coral Brooch
By SCALA GIOIELLI
Located in Marcianise, IT
message to solve the problem. Butterfly 18 karat yellow and white gold brooch. Handmade by our craftsmen
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Vintage Gold Butterfly Pin Brooch Clip with Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald, 1950s
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
hallmark for 14 karat gold. The butterfly's gracious lines, rich colors and sparkle of the diamonds make
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold...

Fei Liu Pink Tourmaline Sapphire Diamond Pearl 18k Rose Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Fei Liu
Located in Birmingham, GB
delicate creatures in sparkling weightless jewels. A pretty-in-pink butterfly brooch with a playful springy
Category

2010s British Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, ...

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Yellow Gold Butterfly Pin Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Gracious and feminine butterfly pin created by Van Cleef & Arpels in the 1990's. Made of yellow
Category

1990s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau Edwardian 18K gold diamond plique a jour enamel butterfly brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
A pretty early 20th C Art Nouveau Edwardian butterfly brooch in 18K yellow gold and silver with
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Estate Carved Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Butterfly Brooch in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful brooch featuring 15 ct. of deep pink carved tourmaline as wings and center body of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold

Art Nouveau Diamond Enamel 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Butterfly Clip Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized butterfly with sweeping wings, fluted body, and with textured mid-section
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Gemstone Butterfly Brooch / Pin
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Gemstone Butterfly Brooch/Pin- This lovely butterfly brooch features 11
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Magnificent Butterfly on a Branch Vintage Art Nouveau Style Brooch
Located in Palm Beach, FL
sentimental. A delicate butterfly edged in diamonds and with a vivid ruby cabochon hovers above a mauve
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Beautiful Turquoise Gold Butterfly Brooch Pin Pendant Fine Estate Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Outstanding hand carved Natural Mottled Turquoise Butterfly Pin Pendant; mounted in 14k yellow gold
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Turquoise Butterfly and Gold Statement Brooch Pin Pendant Fine Estate Jewelry
By Coach House
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful Natural Turquoise Butterfly Brooch Pin Pendant; the antennae are bezel set with diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef Arpels, 18 Karat White Gold and Mother of Pearl Butterfly Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS 18 KARAT WHITE GOLD AND MOTHER OF PEARL BUTTERFLY BROOCH. -Mint condition -18k
Category

2010s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Ruby Diamond Butterfly Pin
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef and Arpel Ruby Diamond Butterfly Pin 18 Karat Gold
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Yellow/White Gold Diamond Ruby Butterfly Pin
Located in Houston, TX
18K yellow and white gold small butterfly pin. There are fifty (50) round diamonds totaling 1.25
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Sapphire Diamond Gold Butterfly Pin
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
astonishing 18K yellow gold brooch that boasts the adorable motif of a butterfly while embellished with
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

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

Beautiful Objet d art 2 Tone 18K Yellow and Rhodium Finish Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Tustin, CA
dimensional butterfly brooch features sparkling round brilliant diamonds covering all the outer and inner
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rhodium, 18k Gold

Marilyn Cooperman Topaz Tourmaline Diamond Gold Butterfly Pin
By Marilyn F. Cooperman
Located in Miami, FL
Marilyn Cooperman - 18kt Yellow Gold Diamond, Topaz and Tourmaline Butterfly Pin Featuring 11 Mixed
Category

Vintage 1980s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold

David Webb Enamel Diamond Emerald Gold Butterfly Pin
By David Webb
Located in Bal Harbour, FL
At almost 3 inches by 2 inches this wonderfully colorful brooch is nothing short of impressive
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Butterfly Pin
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Van Cleef and Arpels Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Butterfly Pin. 18 Karat Yellow Gold
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Freeform Ruby Sapphire Emerald Diamond Butterfly Gold Enhancer Brooche
Located in Stamford, CT
Freeform butterfly Ruby Sapphire Emerald Diamond open work pendant enhancer pin. 14k yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Mario Buccellati Turquoise Ruby, Sapphire and Diamond Butterfly Pin
By Mario Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
carat, 36 single- and old European-cut diamonds weighing a total of approximately 2.00 carats, with
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Antique Gem Set Butterfly Stickpin
Located in Baltimore, MD
Fluttering gem set butterfly stickpin will brighten any lapel or scarf. Set with rose diamonds
Category

English Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 15k Gold

1.0 Carat Diamond and Mother of Pearl Butterfly Broach 18 Karat White Gold 13 Gm
Located in New York, NY
Antique Butterfly Shaped Diamond 18 Karat Gold Pin/Broach, with Mother of Pearl Set with 4 pieces
Category

Early 2000s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Enamel Butterfly Necklace-Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Bethesda, MD
From Van Cleef & Arpels, a stunning enamel and diamond butterfly brooch. The 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1950s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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

Mid-20th Century Italian Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Gold

Sapphires Diamonds Pendant / Brooch Butterfly 3.85 ct 18Kt White Gold
Located in München, DE
butterfly can be worn both as a brooch and as a pendant, offering two ways to wear it. Theme: Animal
Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold

Jadeite and Diamond Butterfly Pin or Brooch Platinum and Yellow Gold
Located in Laguna Hills, CA
Jadeite and Diamond Butterfly Pin or Brooch with beautiful quality diamonds and emerald gemstone
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Diamond and Enamel Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A diamond and enamel brooch in the form of a butterfly, the body set with diamond, the wings set
Category

2010s British Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Late Victorian Diamond Set Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian diamond set butterfly brooch, the realistically carved butterfly with oldcut
Category

Early 20th Century British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Late Victorian Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian ruby and diamond brooch in the form of a butterfly, with the wings set en
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver

Late Victorian Multigem Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian multi-gem butterfly brooch, set with half pearls, diamonds and sapphires with ruby
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver

Inlay Multi Stone Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A distinctive butterfly brooch of carved pearl, onyx, lapis, and malechite stones set in 14K gold
Category

American Brooches

Materials

Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond

Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany Co. Peridot and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
By Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
to resemble a butterfly. The wings are set with high-quality round brilliant cut diamonds weighing an
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Platinum and 18 Karat Sapphire Butterfly Brooch
Located in Sarasota, FL
Platinum & 18k Gold Antique Sapphire and Diamond Butterfly Brooch AGL & GIA certified no heat
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

1900s French Ruby and Sapphire Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A 1900s French ruby and sapphire gold butterfly brooch, the butterfly set with oval faceted rubies
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Turn-of-the-Century Gold Butterfly Brooch/Pendant
Located in London, GB
A turn-of-the-century gold butterfly brooch/pendant, the thorax set with a round faceted ruby, the
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Art Nouveau Enamel and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
An Art Nouveau enamel and diamond butterfly brooch, the wings embellished with pink and purple
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

Elegant Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Teaneck, NJ
This is a fabulous diamond butterfly brooch. . .with approximately 4cts of diamonds. . .and also
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire

Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Art Deco Buttefly Brooch with 3.50 Carats of Round and Princess Cut Diamonds, 1 Carat of
Category

American Brooches

Enamel Gemstone Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is one of the prettiest butterfly brooches I've seen. Amazing enamel work with accents filled
Category

French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire

Diamond and Emerald Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
English Silver Fronted and 18ct Yellow Gold backed, Diamond and Emerald Butterfly Brooch
Category

Vintage 1950s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Carmel, CA
This stunning ruby and diamond butterfly brooch is made in 18k white gold with black rhodium
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

Butterfly Brooch
Located in Overland Park, KS
Approx total weight 19.24 Grams 2 Marquise Diamond Color G Diamond Clarity SI2 1.28ct Center
Category

Vintage 1960s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

A Rubellite Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Berlin, DE
52 diamonds weighing approximately 0,94ct's, rubellite weighing circa 41,5ct's, mounted in 18k
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Diamond, Sapphire Ruby Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Diamond, Sapphire & Ruby Butterfly Brooch mounted in Platinum & 15kt Gold, made in England circa
Category

English Brooches

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Butterfly Brooch Diamonds For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a broad range of butterfly brooch diamonds for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Find a collection of 354 vintage versions or 140 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 19th Century to those produced as recently as the 21st Century. There are many different pieces in our collection of butterfly brooch diamonds to choose from, but Victorian and Contemporary butterfly brooch diamonds are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made iterations of these items over the years, but those made by Van Cleef Arpels, Moira and Tiffany Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful. There are many round cut, brilliant cut and mixed cut butterfly brooch diamonds for sale. If you’re browsing the variety of butterfly brooch diamonds for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men.

How Much are Butterfly Brooch Diamonds?

Prices for butterfly brooch diamonds start at $499 and top out at $150,000 with these brooches, on average, selling for $6,000.

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.