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Antique Butterfly Rose Cut Diamond Ruby Pearl Pendant Brooch Necklace Victorian
Located in New York, NY
This is a spectacular antique Victorian - Belle Epoque Butterfly Pendant or Brooch set throughout
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

2.01 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond and Tahitian Pearl Butterfly Pendant Brooch
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A wonderfully handcrafted butterfly brooch! The butterfly wings are set with round brilliant
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Art Nouveau Butterfly Pendant Brooch OMC Diamond Enamel 14 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful and rare early Art Nouveau Brooch Pendant in the form of a Butterfly. The magnificent
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel

18 Karat Gold Agate Chalcedony Hand-Carved Butterfly Diamond Pendant Brooch
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 karat gold hand-carved agate black butterfly diamond pendant necklace brooch. The process of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Diamonds, Blue Sapphires, Pearl, 14k Gold and Silver Butterfly Pendant/Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Unique design butterfly shape pendant necklace and brooch at the same time, mounted with 1.50 g of
Category

Vintage 1930s Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Edwardian 1900s Demantoid Garnet Opal Old Mine Diamond Butterfly Pendant/ Brooch
Located in Hicksville, NY
Diamond Details: .75ct total weight, old mine brilliant, G Color, VS Clarity Opal: Natural, Oval and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Diamond Grey MOP Coral Butterfly Yellow Gold Brooch Necklace
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Grey Mother Of Pearl Coral Butterfly Brooch Necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels
Category

Vintage 1970s French Drop Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold

Carved Jade Butterfly Pendant Cum Brooch With Black White Diamonds In 18k Gold
By Artisan NYC
Located in New York, NY
18KT:19.696g,D:2.37ct, Jade:13.15ct, 48X42 MM
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Jade, White Diamond, 18k Gold

RUCHI Diamond Slice with Pavé Two-Tone Gold Butterfly Pendant and Brooch
By Ruchi New York
Located in New York, NY
18K Yellow Gold and Black Rhodium Diamond Slices: 3.37ct total weight
Category

2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium

Plique-a-Jour Enamel Sapphire Diamond Butterfly Brooch Art Nouveau 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
This is a wonderful and rare Museum Quality Art Nouveau Brooch in the form of a Butterfly or Moth
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

18K Gold Lapis Lazuli Butterfly Carving Turquoise Moonstone Pendant Brooch
By Vaibhav Dhadda
Located in Jaipur, Rajasthan
18 Karat yellow gold lapis lazuli butterfly carving turquoise moonstone diamond pendant brooch
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Magnificent Late Victorian Diamond-Set Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A Magnificent late Victorian diamond-set butterfly brooch, the brooch in the form of a butterfly
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

A Georgian diamond-set en tremblant butterfly brooch
Located in London, GB
A Georgian diamond-set en tremblant butterfly brooch, the body set with five large old mine-cut
Category

Antique 1880s British Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond

Late Victorian Burmese Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian Burmese ruby and diamond butterfly brooch, the thorax and wings set with old
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Silver

Late Victorian Gem-Set Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian gem-set butterfly brooch, the thorax with a round cabochon emerald, the abdomen
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Late Victorian Multi-Gem Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian multi-gem butterfly brooch, the wings and body encrusted with old-cut and rose-cut
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver

Late Victorian Gem-Set Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian gem-set butterfly brooch, the body is a gold spring terminating to a natural pearl
Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Nouveau Butterfly Pendant Brooch 30 OMC Diamonds Ruby Enamel 18 Karat Gold
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful and rare early Art Nouveau Brooch Pendant in the form of a Butterfly. The magnificent
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Aquamarine Sapphire Diamond Butterfly Brooch
By Shreve, Crump Low
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat white gold butterfly brooch consisting of square and rectangle cut aquamarines having a
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Opal and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Exquisite enamel butterfly brooch with opals and approximately .85cts of diamonds. #61374
Category

2010s American Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Splendid Emerald Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Toronto, Ontario
A gorgeous Emerald Diamond Butterfly Brooch is set with 206 Emeralds and Diamonds totaling 4.25
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, S...

Antique Ruby, Emerald, Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Lake Forest, IL
An antique butterfly pin 97 old cut round rubies that weigh approximately 7.50cttw, 4 emerald cut
Category

Antique 1890s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Pair Of Enamel Diamond Butterfly Brooches
Located in Bedford, NY
A pair of beautifully detailed contemporary enamel and diamond 18k yellow gold butterfly design
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tsavorite Garnet Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Bellevue, WA
Over 9 carats of natural tsavorite garnets encrust this stunning butterfly brooch crafted of two
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Edwardian Sapphire and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
Fine Sapphire and Diamond brooch set in Silver and 15ct Gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Silver

RENE BOIVIN. A Diamond Butterfly Brooch.
By René Boivin
Located in London, GB
Designed as a geometric butterfly, the upper-wing set with circular-cut diamonds within a border of
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Turquoise Ruby Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Brisbane, AU
A handmade 18 karat yellow gold brooch, with a hinged white gold pin and roller slide. It is claw
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Berlin, DE
diamonds with a total weight of 1,50 ct. Mounted in 18K white gold. Weight: 17,66 g. Length: 2.36 in ( 6
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

1940s Ruby Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Berlin, DE
USA 1940's. Pavé-set with 8 rubies weighing 0,80 ct., 6 brilliant-cut diamonds weighing 1,20 ct
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond and Pink Sapphire Butterfly Brooch
Located in Epsom, Surrey
This Brooch has undergone a thorough inspection and service to ensure all aspects of the piece are
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Sapphire Ruby Diamond and Tanzanite Butterfly Brooch
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Adorn yourself with the exquisite elegance of the Sapphire, Ruby Diamond and Tanzanite Butterfly
Category

2010s Hong Kong Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Tanzanite, 18k Gold

19th Century Ruby Emerald Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Barcelona, ES
Victorian silver top with gold back butterfly brooch. Covered in old cut diamonds, with a trim of
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Diamond and Color Stone Butterfly Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This shimmering butterfly was hand created of 14KT yellow gold during the 1900s era. It is adorned
Category

Early 20th Century American Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

WIN, Padparadscha Butterfly Brooch
Located in Malmö, SE
Gold brooch 18K, designed as a lotus bud, embraced by water lily leaves and a butterfly. The lotus
Category

2010s Swedish Aesthetic Movement Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, Padparadscha Sap...

Marlene Stowe Butterfly Brooches
By Marlene Stowe
Located in New York, NY
butterfly contains .32ct of diamonds and larger contains .68ct of round brilliant cut diamonds.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Delightful Blue Sapphire Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Lovely, large Blue Sapphire Ruby and Diamond Butterfly Brooch. An 18 Karat brooch in the form of a
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Magnificent 12.15 Carat Diamond Butterfly Brooch By Chatila
By Chatila
Located in London, GB
This eye-catching 18 carat white gold embellished butterfly brooch by Chatila embodies the delicate
Category

2010s Swiss Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, White Gold

Mother-of-Pearl Gemstone Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Rina Limor
Located in New York, NY
brooch will bring your style to life! This 18K butterfly brooch is accentuated with orange sapphires and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Platinum Rose Cut Diamonds and Ruby Butterfly Brooch
Located in Bangkok, TH
This Beautiful Rose Cut Diamond Butterfly brooch is handcrafted in Platinum, features rose cut
Category

Early 2000s Thai Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Ruby Sapphire Opal Moonstone Butterfly Brooch
Located in Lancashire, Oldham
A beautifully ornate Victorian butterfly brooch decorated in variety of five precious gems and set
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Titanium Butterfly Ring/Pendant/ Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
piece (ring/pendant/brooch) features a beautiful combination of brilliant cut round diamonds (3.81cts
Category

Early 2000s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Titanium

White Gold 3.3ct Diamonds and Blue Sapphires Butterfly Brooch
Located in Rome, IT
White gold butterfly brooch with a central blue sapphire surrounded by a row of brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold

Blu Sapphires, Tzavorites and Diamonds d Avossa Butterfly Brooch
Located in Roma, IT
d'Avossa Butterfly Brooch in 18kt white gold with Sapphires, Tzavorites and Diamonds. This Pieces
Category

2010s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Pink Sapphire and Diamond Butterfly Brooch in 18KW Gold
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Butterfly Brooch is the perfect accent to wear at that cocktail event. It has 1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Plique a Jour Enamel Diamond and Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Toronto, Ontario
This large Plique a Jour and Diamond Butterfly brooch is set with 1.81 carats (78) Diamonds and 3
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold

Diamond Ruby 18k Yellow White Gold Butterfly Pin Brooch
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
Amazing butterfly brooch with pave set with Diamonds and ruby cabochon . Handmade 18k Yellow and
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond Ruby 18k Yellow White Gold Butterfly Pin Brooch
Located in Pamplona, Navarra
Amazing butterfly brooch with pave set with Diamonds and ruby cabochon . Handmade 18k Yellow and
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby Diamond Butterfly 18 Carat Silver Brooch, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
This delightful Victorian 18ct Gold and Silver butterfly brooch is adorned with Rubies and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Platinum and Gold Diamond Sapphire Ruby and Emerald Butterfly Brooch
By Peter Atman
Located in New York, NY
Highly detailed butterfly Brooch, made in Platinum and 18 Kt Yellow Gold, set 177 diamonds 2.29
Category

2010s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Pink Sapphire and Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
brilliant cut diamonds with a total weight of approximately .74cts. Total weight of the brooch is 30.8 grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Georgian Butterfly in Flight Brooch
Located in London, GB
Mounted with 37 Rose Diamonds, 7 Rubies, 5 Sapphires and 4 Emeralds all in unmarked 18k Gold, the
Category

Antique 1820s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

5.20 Carats Diamond, Ruby, 18 Karat Gold, Silver Butterfly Brooch
Located in Calabasas, CA
The body and antennae of the butterfly are bead-set with rose-cut and single-cut diamonds with 2
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Victorian 1890s Sapphire Ruby Emerald Diamond Natural Pearl Butterfly Brooch
Located in Berlin, Berlin
lent themselves beautifully to a lavish use of precious coloured gemstones. This butterfly brooch dates
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Victorian Sapphire Diamond Pearl Ruby Butterfly in Profile Pin Brooch
Located in London, GB
Victorian butterfly pin set with n Adult precious stones with conch. pearl at one terminal. Set in
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire

18k White Gold 10.30ct Sapphire Butterfly Brooch w/ 1.15ct Diamond Ruby
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
The pendant-brooch features oval-shaped sapphires weighing 10.30 carats Accented by Full-cut
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

18 Carat Yellow Gold and White Enamel Butterfly Diamond Set Brooch
Located in Chislehurst, Kent
wings. The body of the butterfly is set with 6 round cut diamonds. The Brooch measures 27.75 at the
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage Gold Bejeweled Colorful Butterfly Brooch with Diamonds, Rubies and Opal
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 18K red and yellow gold Vintage brooch from 1930 depicts a colourful butterfly with silver
Category

Vintage 1930s Belgian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Go...

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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.