Skip to main content

Cartier Gold And Diamond Brooch

to
39
650
520
251
136
87
634
152
139
108
96
1
12
574
93
8
9
20
36
43
79
90
49
31
30
1
411
330
9
204
70
40
19
17
to
567
38
16
12
8
84
74
56
51
8
6
4
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
737
13
566
178
Sort By
Cartier France Coral Diamond Gold Seashell with Starfish Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Darnestown, MD
Stunning and unusual gold seashell from which a coral starfish emerges. The starfish is centered
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, 18k Gold

1960s CARTIER Yellow Gold Bird Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
. made of 18k yellow gold; the bird's eye is accented by a diamond. Measures 1-1/8" x 1-1/8". Has a
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chalcedony Bow and Arrow Brooch by Cartier
By Cartier
Located in New Orleans, LA
Cartier created this rare and fabulous brooch depicting a sleek bow and quiver filled with arrows
Category

20th Century French Retro Brooches

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Enamel Bee Pin Brooch c. 1990s
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Cartier bumble bee pin brooch, crafted in 18K yellow gold. This charming piece
Category

1990s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

cartier elephant brooch ruby diamond saddle diamond tipped feet
By Cartier
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This charming brooch pin, designed by Cartier in the 1980s, features a unique elephant motif and is
Category

Vintage 1980s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Cartier Diamond Panther Lapel Pin Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, England
A rare vintage Cartier diamond panther pin brooch set in 18k yellow gold. This beautiful piece
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

CARTIER Gold Hardstone Golf Bag Clip Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Whimsical 18K Yellow Gold, Hard Hard Stone and Diamond set Golf Bag Brooch by Cartier. Nice Detail
Category

Late 20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Chalcedony, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

Rare Vintage Cartier Diamond Panther Pin Brooch in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, England
A rare vintage Cartier diamond panther pin brooch set in 18k white gold. This beautiful piece
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Paris Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Hummingbird Brooch Pendant
By Cartier
Located in Boca Raton, FL
The Cartier Paris Diamond Ruby Hummingbird Brooch Pendant is a luxurious and versatile piece of
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris Large Gemstone Gold Bird Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Cartier Paris 18K yellow Gold Bird Clip Brooch. Measuring 3 3/4 inch in length
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold

Cartier Mid-Century Turquoise Diamond Flower Design Brooch in 18K Gold
By Cartier
Located in Towson, MD
One mid-century 18 karat yellow gold flower design brooch by Cartier set with thirteen (13) 2.5mm
Category

Vintage 1940s Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1960s Cartier Paris 5.00 Carat Round Diamond Yellow Gold Spray Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A stunning Cartier Paris Diamond Spray Brooch. Emulating a firework exploding in the sky, the
Category

Vintage 1960s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier 1950 Masaï Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Amazing Cartier brooch rapresenting a Masaï. The head in carved onyx ; the shield in coral
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Paris Dog Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A super cute 18 carat yellow gold Cartier puppy brooch with a red enamel collar set with a small
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold

Cartier Paris Mid-20th Century Sapphire Diamond Gold Platimum Bow Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A French Mid-20th Century 18 karat gold and platinum brooch with diamonds and sapphires by Cartier
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

1910s Cartier Art Deco Ruby Diamond Gold Arrow Pin Brooch Clip
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
white gold and set with twenty two calibrated table cut rubies and nineteen rose cut diamonds. Ruby
Category

Vintage 1910s French Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Turtle Diamond Fossil Jasper Large Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond, Fossil Jasper and Emerald Large Turtle Pin Brooch by Cartier. This
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Cartier Yellow/White Diamond LES OISEAUX LIBÉRÉS Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
'LES OISEAUX LIBÉRÉS' brooch by Cartier. Rare fancy yellow diamond set 18k brooch with onyx accents
Category

Mid-20th Century French Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold

Cartier Yellow Gold Diamond Dolphins Emerald Eyes Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Yellow Gold Diamond Dolphins Emerald Eyes Pin Brooch CARTIER DOLPHIN BROOCH Designed as a
Category

1990s French Modern Brooches

1950s Cartier Jadeite Ring Brooch with Diamond Mouse
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
scrolling baguette diamond ribbon, in 18k gold and platinum. Cartier, #6070597.
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Platinum

Three Cartier London and Paris Diamond Coral Enamel Platinum Ladybug Brooches
By Cartier
Located in Greenwich, CT
London and Paris diamond coral enamel and gold ladybug brooches on your lapel, you will have hit the
Category

Vintage 1930s English Retro Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

French Cartier Diamond Coral 18 Karat Gold Vintage Palm Tree Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooch is designed as a palm tree with layered and radiating leaves Bark of trunk is matte gold
Category

Mid-20th Century Modernist Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Gold

1950 s Cartier Turquoise Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Jester Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
light blue turquoise, blue sapphire white diamonds and yellow gold. The pin is signed and numbered and
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold

Cartier Sapphire Diamond Platinum Panthere Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Signature Cartier Panthere brooch. Made of platinum and set with round brilliant cut diamonds and
Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Platinum

Vintage Cartier Double C Motif Diamond Brooch Set in 18k Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, England
A beautiful vintage Cartier double C diamond brooch set in 18k yellow gold. The brooch depicts
Category

1990s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

CARTIER whimsical amethyst, diamond, emerald turtle brooch.
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, amethyst, diamond and emerald turtle brooch. Cartier. Circa 1960. The
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage Cartier Convertible Diamond Bird Pendant Brooch Set in 18k White Gold
By Cartier
Located in London, England
A charming vintage Cartier Bird brooch set in 18 karat white gold, circa 1990's. From the
Category

1990s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Cartier Panthère Vintage 18 Karat Gold, 8.00 Carat Diamond Onyx Emerald Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
This vintage “Panthère” brooch by Cartier is crafted from 18K yellow gold and embellished with onyx
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

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

Iconic Cartier Sapphire and Diamond Vintage Brooch Pin Estate Fine Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Montreal, QC
and Diamond Floral Brooch Pin. Securely nestled, Hand set Center Yellow Sapphire 9.3x8.8x5.2mm approx
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Cartier Paris Pair Diamond Brooch Clips
By Cartier
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Cartier double clip platinum, round and baguette cut diamonds , size 3.2 cm, with Cartier box
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Panthère Vintage 18 Karat Gold, 8.00 Carat Diamond Onyx Emerald Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
This vintage “Panthère” brooch by Cartier is crafted from 18K yellow gold and embellished with onyx
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier 1.45 Carat Old Euro and Round Brilliant Diamond Ivy Leaf Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A stunning Cartier 1.45ct Diamond ivy leaf brooch in 14K yellow and white gold. The leaf is
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

CARTIER Retro 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond Ruby Mechanical Butterfly Brooch w/Box
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Cartier Retro 1950s 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond & Ruby Mechanical Butterly Brooch w/Box Here is your
Category

Vintage 1950s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Cartier French Vintage Diamond 18K Gold Floral Retro Double Clip Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
This Exquisite 1960's French-made vintage Cartier double brooches pins set are crafted in 18k
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier Multicolored Old-Cut Diamond Flower Brooch, circa 1940s
By Cartier
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Retro Cartier Multi-Colored Old-Cut Diamond Flower Brooch, ca. 1940s A beautiful naturalistic
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Kt Gold Diamond Chrysophrase Onyx Sapphire Bouquet De Fleurs Cartier Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Rome, IT
18 kt. yellow gold with diamonds, onyx, sapphires and carved Chrysophrases by Cartier. This amazing
Category

Vintage 1980s French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Cartier 1950s Emerald Ruby Sapphire Diamond Parrot Brooch
By Cartier
Located in London, GB
EMERALD, RUBY, SAPPHIRE & DIAMOND PARROT BROOCH BY CARTIER c.1955 The eye set centrally with a
Category

Vintage 1950s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum, Yellow Gold

Cartier Vintage Diamond Blue Sapphire Ribbon 18 Karat Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Boca Raton, FL
1960's Cartier diamond blue sapphire ribbon pin. This elegant brooch features 6 round brilliant cut
Category

Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Sixties Rose Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Cartier. This charming sixties rose brooch in eighteen-karat yellow gold has a
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Tutti Frutti Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
with diamonds. 18K yellow gold Signed Cartier, Paris, numbered, with Cartier maker's mark
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

CARTIER Gem Set Quiver Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
18K Yellow Gold Quiver brooch by Cartier, Set with Rubies and Diamonds, Double clip back. Signed
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier Art Deco Coral and Enamel Clip Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A yellow gold, white enamel, coral and diamond clip signed Cartier London serial number 8972.
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Cartier 1940 Deco Enameled Racing Horse Jockey Brooch in 18kt Gold with Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Racing horse Jockey brooch designed by Cartier. A very rare beautiful piece, created by the
Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier 1940 Paris Art-Deco Ladybug Pin Brooch 18Kt Yellow Gold Coral Diamonds
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Ladybug "Coccinelle" clip brooch designed by Cartier. Very cute and rare antique ladybug pin
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

1989 Cartier Gems Diamond Yellow Gold Tutti Frutti Motif Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Stunning tutti-frutti motif pin created by Cartier in 1989 in France. Colorful, chic pin that would
Category

Vintage 1980s French Brooches

Materials

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

Circa 1960s Cartier 7.68 Carat Diamond Flower Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
From the esteemed House of Cartier emerges a magnificent brooch, artfully sculpted from 18-karat
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1936 Cartier Paris Black Lacquer Coral Diamond Ladybird Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Geneva, CH
Significant coral, diamond and black lacquer ladybird brooch, signed Cartier Paris, French marks
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier Retro 14k Yellow Gold, Enamel Diamond Mariner Motif Brooch W/Box Retro
By Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Cartier NY Retro 14k Yellow Gold, Enamel & Diamond Mariner Motif Brooch w/Box Here is your chance
Category

Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

CARTIER / CIPULLO Ruby, Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
By Aldo Cipullo for Cartier
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
PINK DIAMOND! The brooch is made of yellow gold. Unusual, fun and stylish!
Category

Vintage 1970s French Brooches

Diamond and Turquoise Enameled Yellow Gold Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
Embodying the enchanting beauty of nature, this gorgeous Cartier brooch wonderfully depicts a
Category

Late 20th Century English Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cartier Coral Hand and Flower Pin Brooch, circa 1937
By Cartier
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
flower made of gold, diamond and black enamel. This brooch was made in the late 1930s in France by
Category

Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Cartier, Platinum 18K Gold Ruby Pearl Enamel Diamond Jabot Brooch, IAJA, GIA
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
This Cartier 1929 classic brooch showcases the perfect fusion of exquisite craftsmanship and
Category

Vintage 1920s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum, Enamel

1941 Cartier New York Citrine Sapphire Gold Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
CARTIER New York 1941 Arum Flower brooch in yellow gold decorated in the center of a cabochon
Category

Antique 1840s American Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Cartier Chalcedony Turtle Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, chalcedony and diamond brooch. Signed Cartier Paris. The brooch is
Category

French Brooches

Cartier Diamond Onyx Emerald 18 Karat White Gold Panthère Jabot Pin Brooch B&P s
By Cartier
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Panthère de Cartier diamond jabot pin, circa 2019, crafted in 18 karat white gold. The pin features
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier Retro Flower Brooch, circa 1940s
By Cartier
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
Retro Cartier Flower Brooch, ca. 1940s A beautiful and large Cartier Retro Flower Brooch from the
Category

Mid-20th Century British Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

1940s Cartier Double Star Clip Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1940s Cartier Double Stars Clip Brooch, set with Diamonds and Cabochon Rubies. Measuring 2 1
Category

Vintage 1940s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Cartier Gold And Diamond Brooch", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.