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Tiffany Co. Diamond Bee Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Tiffany & Co. diamond bee pin in 18K yellow and white gold. Features two round ruby eyes and
Category

Mid-20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Diamond Bee Pin
By Gregory Mikaelian Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k yellow and white gold diamond "Bee" pin, containing 60 round full cut diamonds of very fine
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby

14 Karat Two-Tone Gold Diamond Bee Pin
By Gregory Mikaelian Sons, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
14k yellow and white gold diamond "Bee" pin, containing 60 round full cut diamonds of very fine
Category

Late 20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Bee Pin
Located in Towson, MD
One 14 karat yellow (stamped 14K) gold bee pin set with twenty round rubies and two full cut
Category

Vintage 1980s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Diamond Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, Herbert Rosenthal, 18k, New York. This charming bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is set
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Ruby and Diamond Bee Pin
Located in New York, NY
18 kt Yellow Gold Diamond: 0.58 ct twd Ruby: 0.60 tcw Total Weight: 6.6 grams Length: half an inch
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rosenthal Sapphire Ruby Diamond Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rosenthal Sapphire Diamond and Ruby Bee Pin To quote Emily Dickinson, "The pedigree of honey
Category

Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Sapphire and Diamond Bee Pin Brooch
Located in Houston, TX
These petite but mighty bumble bee pin features 0.15 carat total weight in round blue sapphires and
Category

Late 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Bee Pin Brooch
Located in Houston, TX
Metal Type: 14K Yellow Gold Length: 0.75 inches Weight: 2.68 grams One 14K yellow gold diamond
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Rosenthal Diamond Bee Pin Brooch
By Joel Arthur Rosenthal
Located in Troy, MI
Sweet as a honey bee - this pin looks adorable perched on your lapel, shoulder or converted as a
Category

2010s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 10 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Pin/Brooch
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 10 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Brooch/Pin- This lovely bee brooch features 23 round
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Pin/Brooch
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Brooch/Pin This sparkling brooch features a
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

0.30ctw Diamond Bee Pin 14k Yellow White Gold Insect Brooch
Located in McLeansville, NC
Gemstone Information: - Natural Diamonds - Total Carats - 0.30ctw Cut - Round Brilliant Color - G
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

1980s Diamond Bee Pin with Ruby Eyes in 14 Karat Gold
Located in Hicksville, NY
Diamond Details: Carat: 0.30 carat total weight Shape: Round Color: H Clarity: SI Ruby Details: Shape
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold

Herbert Rosenthal HR Diamond Bee Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Bee Pin Brooch by Herbert Rosenthal. With 19 round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Diamond Gold Bee Pin
By Chaumet
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chaumet 18Kt Yellow Gold Bee Pin is Detailed with 24 Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds on its Wings
Category

1990s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Pearl Diamond Gold Bee Pin
Located in Berkeley, CA
Whimsical and beautifully executed this bee pin is the perfect addition to any blazer, shirt or hat
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold

Rosenthal Diamond Gold Large Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Dallas, TX
This amazing large bee pin features 2.3 ctw. (F-G Color and VS2-Clarity) of diamonds set in 18k
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Modern Ruby Diamond Gold Bee Pin
Located in Hicksville, NY
A fine example of intricate workmanship on this white gold, diamond, tsavorite and ruby bee pin
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Tsavorite, 18k Gold

1970s Emerald Diamond Gold Bee Pin
Located in Hicksville, NY
A fine example of intricate workmanship on this yellow gold, diamond, emerald bee (bug) pin
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold

Midcentury Diamond Emerald Gold Bee Pin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
-century pin features 0.80 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds along with two emeralds used as eye. Made
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Ruby Diamond Gold Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, Herbert Rosenthal, New York City. This charming bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond

Herbert Rosenthal Ruby Diamond Gold Bee Pins
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Atlanta, GA
Herbert Rosenthal creates these charming whimsical bee pins set with brilliant rubies and diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Rosenthal Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Dallas, TX
This gorgeous Rosenthal Bee Pin purchased in June of 2000 and comes in original box. 18K Yellow
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Diamond Bumble Bee Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Be all the buzz wearing this adorable diamond covered fourteen karat 14K yellow gold bumble bee pin
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Gold Bee Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bay Harbor Islands, FL
Tiffany & Company 18 karat yellow gold diamond bee brooch. This very lively brooch is set with 17
Category

Late 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier Enamel Diamond Gold Bee Duck Ladybug Pins
By Cartier
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A beautiful and delightful set of three colourful 18k gold pins by Cartier. Duck with diamonds
Category

Late 20th Century Modern More Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Sapphire and Diamond Gold Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, Herbert Rosenthal, New York City. This charming bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Ruby Diamond gold Bee Pin brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Bee Pin Brooch by Herbert Rosenthal. With 5 round brilliant cut
Category

Vintage 1960s American Cocktail Rings

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Hammerman Brothers Bee Brooch Pin
By Hammerman Brothers
Located in Miami, FL
Enchanting David Hammerman bee brooch pin crafted in 18 karat white and yellow gold featuring 31
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Ruby Diamond Gold Bee Pin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bethesda, MD
Tiffany & Co.'s rendition of the bumble bee. Set with 18 rubies weighing .60 carats and a
Category

1990s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Sapphire Diamond Gold Bee Pin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Bethesda, MD
Tiffany & Co.'s rendition of the bumble bee. Set with 16 sapphire weighing .60 carats and a
Category

1990s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold

Vintage plique de jour Bee Enamel Diamond Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
This adorable vintage diamond Bumble Bee brooch pin is handcrafted in solid 18K yellow gold. It
Category

Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

Cartier Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bee Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Tokyo, JP
Brand:Cartier Name:Bee pin brooch Material:1P Diamond, 750 K18 YG Yellow Gold Comes with:Cartier
Category

1990s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K Gold Yellow Sapphire Bee Pin
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Pre owned vintage estate 18K yellow gold sapphire bee pin. The body of the bee has 37 invisibly
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Novelty Bee Pin w Cultured Pearl Diamonds Bumble Bee Brooch in 14 Karat Gold
By Five Star Jewelry
Located in Austin, TX
This novelty bee brooch has two genuine cultured pearls with diamonds in the eyes. It is created
Category

2010s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Vintage Large Diamond and Ruby Bee Brooch Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
This charming Vintage 1970's bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is set with 20 large genuine round
Category

Late 20th Century Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Yellow Gold Blue Sapphire Diamond Tiffany Co. Bee Pin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Eighteen karat yellow gold Tiffany & Company Bee Pin Brooch with blue sapphires and diamond on back
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

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

Herbert Rosenthal HR Diamond Opal Bee Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Opal Bee Pin Brooch by Herbert Rosenthal. With 16 Opals 3x round brilliant
Category

Vintage 1980s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

Yellow Gold, Diamond Ruby Tiffany Co. Bumble Bee Pin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Adorable eighteen karat 18K yellow gold Tiffany & Company Bumble Bee Pin Brooch with diamond back
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Sapphire, Ruby, and Diamond Yellow Gold Bee Pin Brooch
Located in Delray Beach, FL
design enriched with vivid colors of gemstones and brilliant white diamonds. The bee brooch measures
Category

20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Blue Sapphire Diamond Yellow Gold Tiffany Co. Bee Pin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Charming and collectable by Tiffany & Company. This adorable Bee Pin Brooch in bright eighteen
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond Bee Brooch Pin Set in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in London, GB
A diamond bee brooch pin set in 18 karat white gold. Its beautiful head is set with two brightly
Category

1990s British Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Jeweled 14 Karat Gold Bee Pin Duo
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Create "buzz" with this adorable complementing pair of colorful jeweled bee pins. A perfect
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold

Beautiful Enamel Diamond Gold Bee Fly Brooch Pin Fine Estate Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Delightful Bumble Bee Insect pin, blue enamel wings and black enamel torso, pave set diamond body
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, Enamel

Yellow Gold Pink Sapphire Diamond Ruby Tiffany Co. Bee Pin Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Adorable eighteen karat 18K yellow gold Tiffany & Company Bee Pin Brooch with pink sapphire and
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18 Karat Gold Sapphire Diamond Emerald Small Bee Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
This is a vintage small bee pin brooch. It is crafted in 18K gold. The piece features sapphires
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Textured 14 Karat Yellow Gold Honey Bee Brooch / Pin with Diamond Eye
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
adds playful elegance. Anchoring its refined beauty, a single sparkling diamond forms the bee’s eye—an
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Large Bee Diamond Pin Brooch Rare Find 1.55 Carats
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Jupiter, FL
Absolutely stunning, excellent condition diamond brooch made in 18KT yelllow & white gold by
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Bee Diamond pin brooch VINTAGE brooch designer 18th cent.
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Jupiter, FL
Absolutely stunning, excellent condition diamond brooch made in 18KT yelllow & white gold by
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Herbert Rosenthal 18 Karat Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Bee Brooch Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Herbert Rosenthal 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Bee Brooch Pin This authentic brooch by
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bee Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Delightful Bee Brooch Pin featuring an enchanting bee intricately crafted in 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

1960s Tiffany Co. 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire Bee Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Hicksville, NY
Tiffany & Co. Bee Pin Crafted in 18 Karat Yellow Gold Features Pink Sapphires on the Body
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage style Rose cut Diamond Gemstones Sterling silver Queen Bee Brooch pin
Located in Delhi, DL
This Gorgeous Queen Bee Diamond Sapphire brooch is a unique handcrafted art. It brings back the
Category

2010s Asian Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver

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

Vintage 18k Gold Sapphire Diamond Covered Fly Bee Insect Flexible Brooch Pin
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (63) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Single Cut - Pave Set - H-K Color - VS2-I1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Vintage Henry Rosenthal 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Emerald and Ruby Bee Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Stunning Henry Rosenthal Bee pin with diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. Item #P0086 Metal: 18K
Category

1990s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold

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Diamond Bee Pin For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact diamond bee pin you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 196 antique edition and 30 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a diamond bee pin may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 19th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. For this particular accessory, there are many different carat weights to choose from, but .5 Carat and 1 Carat versions are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic diamond bee pin over the years, but those made by Herbert Rosenthal, Tiffany Co. and Ella Gafter are often thought to be among the most beautiful. 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 brilliant cut and mixed cut alternatives. Finding a diamond bee pin for sale for women should be easy, but there are 85 pieces available to browse for unisex as well as men, too.

How Much is a Diamond Bee Pin?

Prices for a diamond bee pin can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $100 and can go as high as $18,500, while this accessory, on average, fetches $2,600.

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.