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Cartier 1970s Enamel Diamond Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cartier 1970s Enamel Diamond Flower Brooch Cartier 1970s diamond enamel and gold brooch. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Gold Citrine Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier brooch with a flower motif. The flower's petals are made out of citrine while its stem and
Category

Vintage 1940s Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Diamond Gold Mid-Century Four Leaf Clover Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare to find but lucky to have, this mid-century Cartier diamond gold brooch is charmed. With a
Category

Vintage 1950s American Post-War Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier Diamond Ruby Elephant and Baby Elephant Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Webster, NY
Vintage Cartier mother elephant and calf pave set diamond brooch, with accenting ruby eyes crafted
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier 18k Yellow Gold Labrador Retriever Dog Brooch With Diamonds and Rubies
By Cartier
Located in Fairfield, CT
This charming brooch is a Cartier creation, expertly sculpted in 18k yellow gold to depict a
Category

Mid-20th Century Artisan Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Yellow Gold, Platinum and Diamond Bird s Nest Brooch Pin, circa 1960s
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Enchanting Cartier brooch Pin crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, featuring 117 round
Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Cartier 1920s Egyptian Revival Faience Scarab and Diamond Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
diamond wings, in 14k gold and platinum. Cartier #0274
Category

Early 20th Century Egyptian Revival Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

1960s Cartier Diamond Emerald Platinum Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Hicksville, NY
1960s Cartier Diamond Emerald Platinum Brooch. Features a single row of 13 emeralds flanked by 3
Category

Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Floral Pin/Brooch Rubies, Diamonds and Enamel, 14 Karat Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A Cartier Floral Pin with Rubies, Diamonds and Enamel, 14 Karat Yellow Gold. Length: 2.25 inches
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Owl Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Owl Brooch An 18 karat yellow gold brooch with an owl motif set with 2 cabochon emeralds
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Coral Gold Love "Target" Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Cartier "Target" brooch with coral heart and diamond decorated arrow. This dimensional 14k
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold

Cartier 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Textured Bow Ribbon Design Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Tustin, CA
designer, Cartier, is depicted in 18 karat yellow gold accented with rows of white diamonds down the middle
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Cartier Flower Brooch Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold with Diamond
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Cartier Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, in the shape of a shell, studded with a diamond
Category

Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Panther Panthere Diamond Emerald Onyx White Gold Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White Gold Diamond, Black Onyx nose and Emerald Panther Pin Brooch by Cartier. With 12 round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Cartier Vintage Coral Diamond Emerald 18 Karat Gold Seahorse Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooch is designed as a highly rendered matte gold seahorse With 2.5 to 3.5 mm round bead coral
Category

Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Diamond Enamel Yellow Gold Pin Brooch Pendant Clip, 1970s
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
yellow gold, black and yellow enamel and accented with a row of round brilliant cut diamonds (F-G color
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris Diamond Ruby Turquoise Gold Platinum Vintage Owl Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Be wise as an owl. Wear this Cartier Paris diamond, ruby, turquoise, gold, and platinum mid
Category

Vintage 1950s French Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, Gold, Platinum

Cartier Diamond Chalcedony Ruby Bow Arrow Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Chalcedony Bow And Arrows Pin Brooche by Cartier. Chalcedony stone
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier White Gold Diamond Pave Dove Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
prestigious brooch from Cartier is a tasteful and luscious interpretation of the lovely symbol of a dove, made
Category

1990s French Modern Brooches

Cartier Panther Panthere Diamond Yellow Gold Tie Lapel Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Panther Tie Lapel Pin by Cartier. With Round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Cartier Diamond Ruby Bear Brooch Pin 18 Karat Gold Antique Signed
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
and stunning contrasted with the vibrant yellow gold. A Cartier Diamond snowflake adorns the brooch
Category

20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Diamond and Emerald Elephant Brooch and Earrings Set In Platinum.
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Diamond and Emerald Elephant Brooch and Earrings Set In Platinum. The Brooch feature
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Cartier GIA Certified .60 Carat Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Stamford, CT
1970's Cartier sapphire and diamond brooch. GIA certified round center sapphire with a halo of 8
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Elephant Family Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Elephant Family brooch in 18kt yellow gold with diamonds and three emerald “eyes.”
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Vintage Panthere De Cartier Diamond Lapel Pin / Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Panthere De Cartier diamond lapel pin / brooch in 18k yellow gold. This cartier walking
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier 1992 Rare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Depicting Enameled Diamond Duck
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the Cartier 1992 Rare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Depicting green and blue enamel, the
Category

Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Bee Brooch Vintage 18 Karat Gold Diamond Sapphire Estate Fine Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Vintage Cartier bumble bee brooch crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. The blue sapphires total an
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Retro 14k Yellow Gold Leaf Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A beautiful Retro 14k yellow gold leaf brooch by Cartier. Stamped with Cartier maker's mark, a
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Vintage Diamond Emerald Elephant Baby Calf Brooch Pin Yellow Gold, 1990s
By Cartier
Located in Lisbon, PT
Cartier vintage diamond and emerald elephant with baby calf brooch pin in 18K yellow and white gold
Category

1990s French Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Paris Vintage Movie Camera Brooch 18 Karat Gold Jade Coral Diamond
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Rare Cartier Paris movie camera brooch, crafted in 18 karat yellow gold. Old mine cut diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold

1960s Cartier Paris Diamond Pinwheel 18 Karat Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
This glistening vintage late 1960's Cartier Pinwheel Brooch forms a pyramid with each of the
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Iconic Cartier Plique A Jour Sapphire and Diamond BEE Vintage Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Stylish and finely detailed CARTIER BEE with Plique A Jour Wings Brooch Pin. The
Category

Late 20th Century French Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Whimsical Sixties Lion Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Cartier. This oh-so-sixties lion brooch by Cartier is the perfect whimsical
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier 18 Karat Gold Tritone Rope Twist Diamond Vintage 2 Inch Brooch #145124
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Introducing the exquisite Vintage Cartier 18 Karat Gold Tritone Rope Twist Design Diamond Brooch
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Dame a la Panthere Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
This classic and timeless platinum brooch with black finish panthere, diamond and gemset collar and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Paris Coral Hand and Carved Black Enamel Flower Clip/Brooch with Diamond
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A Cartier Paris Flower and Hand Clip with Carved Coral, Black Enamel, and Diamond. Made in 18 Karat
Category

Vintage 1930s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, White Diamond

Cartier Les Indes Galantes Agate Onyx Sapphire Diamond Floral Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite brooch from Cartier's celebratede Les Indes Galantes collection features a floral
Category

Vintage 1980s French Brooches

Materials

Agate, Diamond, Onyx, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Vintage Pin Brooch Clip Bird 14k Gold Enamel Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A lovely vintage Cartier 14k gold pin brooch clip. Designed as a little bird perched on a branch
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage Cartier Mother and Child Panthere Brooch in 18k Gold and Emerald Eyes
By Cartier
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
x 27.55 inches In 1988 Cartier started designing brooches in Panther brooches in diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Charming Cartier Paris Textured Sparrow Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Cartier, Paris 18k textured sparrow brooch with tiny diamond accents set in white gold
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier Art Deco Ruby Clip Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Art Deco Ruby Clip Brooch An Art Deco brooch by Cartier, adorned with round-cut diamonds
Category

20th Century American Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier Menotte Diamond and Onyx Jabot Pin in 18k White Gold with Cartier Box
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Cartier Menotte diamond and onyx jabot pin in 18kwg accompanied by Cartier box. This pin contains
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Paris, 18 Karat Gold, Ruby and Diamond Dog Clip
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful 18KT furry terrier clenching a polished stick, with one round diamond eye within a
Category

Vintage 1950s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

18kt Yellow Gold Hummingbird Brooch with Ruby Eye and Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 18kt yellow gold hummingbird brooch with ruby eye and diamonds. Made in 1950's Tested
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Cartier London Sculpted Hand Holding Floral Brooch Cabochon Sapphires
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Cartier London Sapphire and Diamond sculpted hand Floral Brooch yellow and white gold
Category

Mid-20th Century British Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Ladybug Pin Gold Enamel
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An adorable Cartier Ladybug pin, made of 18k gold and enamel. This retro-looking piece came from
Category

1990s Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

1993 CARTIER Diamond Ruby Emerald Sapphire Gold Byzantine Cross Pendant Pin Clip
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
pendant is made of 18 karat (stamped) yellow gold and studded with rubies, sapphires, emerald and diamonds
Category

1990s Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Cartier 18k Gold Platinum 0.30ctw Diamond Safety Or Scarf Pin w/ Box
By Cartier
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (15) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Single Cut - Pave Set - Incredible White Color
Category

Antique 19th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Cartier Diamond Panthere Lapel Pin 18 Karat
By Cartier
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This Cartier Diamond Panthere Lapel Pin has been discontinued. This iconic Panthere was made in
Category

1990s French Artisan Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold

Cartier Dove Pin Pendant White Gold
By Cartier
Located in Dallas, TX
Cartier Dove Pin Pendant in 18K White Gold. The pin features one dove with approximately 2.50ctw of
Category

1990s Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, White Gold

CARTIER Flower Brooch
Located in Darnestown, MD
This Cartier floral brooch is cheerful and colorful. Diamonds add a touch of sparkle to the pearls
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

CARTIER PARIS Edwardian Diamond Platinum Horseshoe Pin
By Cartier
Located in Narberth, PA
An absolutely exquisite Cartier Paris platinum and diamond pin from the Edwardian (ca1910) era
Category

Vintage 1910s French Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Dreicer and Son Early 20th Century Diamond and Gold Starburst Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An Early 20th-Century 18 karat gold brooch with diamonds by Dreicer and Son. The brooch has an
Category

Vintage 1910s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18K White Gold Brooch with Yellow White Diamonds and Emeralds
Located in Berlin, DE
of the diamonds and the shiny white gold. The combination of diamonds and emeralds gives this brooch
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Faberge Eighteen Karat Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Rose Brooch
By Karl Fabergé
Located in New York, NY
1960's 18 karat yellow gold Faberge ruby and diamond Royal Rose brooch Brooch was issued by the
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Tiffany and Co Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Platinum on Gold Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Tiffany & Co Platinum with 14k yellow gold diamond and sapphire brooch An Art Deco brooch
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum

Panther Brooch in 18k White Gold, Coral, Diamonds
Located in Berlin, BE
Panther brooch in 18k white gold, coral, diamonds Elongated panther brooch made of 18k white gold
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold

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Cartier Gold And Diamond Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact cartier gold and 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, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. In our selection of items, you can find a vintage example as well as a contemporary version. Finding the perfect cartier gold and diamond brooch may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 20th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but 1.5 Carat and 2 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes square cut and cushion cut alternatives. Most of our cartier gold and diamond brooch for sale are for women, but there are 49 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Cartier Gold And Diamond Brooch?

On average, a cartier gold and diamond brooch at 1stDibs sells for $12,232, while they’re typically $2,350 on the low end and $118,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Brooches for You

Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.

While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like GucciVersaceDior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step. 

Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.

At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.

Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.

Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.