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Victorian Star Brooch with Old Mine Cut Diamonds Seed Pearls in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Tampa, FL
Victorian Star Brooch with Old Mine Cut Diamond and Seed Pearls in 18 Karat Gold with Enamel Border
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Old Mine-Cut and Old European-Cut Diamond Platinum Circle Pin/Pendant
Located in Towson, MD
twentieth century and the French La Bell Epoque style. The pin features a mix of sparkling old mine-cut and
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco Platinum Gold Old European Mine Cut Natural Diamond Bar Pin Brooch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Art Deco Platinum & Gold Old European Cut Natural Diamond Bar Pin Brooch Metal: 14k yellow gold
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Stickpin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Stickpin. This gorgeous stickpin has a
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Old-Cut Diamond Heart Brooch
Located in London, GB
a stunning array of round faceted old mine cut diamonds. Each antique stone has been meticulously
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Bespoke Old Cut Diamond Bar Brooch 0.95ct
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
An Old Cut Diamond Bar Brooch, bezel set in platinum on 18ct white gold with 12 rose cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1920s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Old Cut Diamond Drop Brooch
Located in London, GB
Here we have a shimmering diamond drop brooch crafted during the pinnacle of the Art Deco movement
Category

Vintage 1930s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Old Cut Diamond Floral Brooch
Located in London, GB
Here we have a stunning diamond brooch taken from the Victorian period. This antique piece has been
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage Brooch Old Mine Cut Diamonds with Seed Pearls and Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Brooch with .75 cts of diamonds and 3mm seed pearls. Gold is 18k. Made in the USA. Old
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Brooches

Materials

Black Diamond, Pearl

Early Victorian En Tremblant Diamond Floral Brooch, Old Mine, Cushion, European
Located in London, GB
spring and trembles as the wearer moves. The brooch features over 12 carats of fiery old mine, old
Category

Antique 1830s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Edwardian Old Mine Cut Fancy Yellow Diamond Platinum Star Stickpin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Star shaped platinum mount centering an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.23 carat, I
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum

Sapphire Old Mine Diamond Clip
Located in New York, NY
floriform center & accented by full cut Old Mine Diamonds. Ca. 1915-25. Can be separated & worn apart or
Category

20th Century American Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Tiffany Co. Art Deco Platinum Ribbon Bow Old Mine Cut Diamonds
By Tiffany Co.
Located in MIAMI, FL
arrangement of platinum, showcasing a refined and sophisticated aesthetic. The brooch is adorned with old mine
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Filigree Platinum Round Old Mine and Rose Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in Addison, TX
carat of old cut diamonds and icy platinum, this piece is sure to grab attention! This brooch would make
Category

Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Edwardian Platinum and Old European Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in Birmingham, AL
This stunning brooch features 7 old mine cut and European cut diamonds, set in platinum with
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Cross Pin Pendant 4.50 Total Carat
Located in Narberth, PA
cross, which can easily be worn as a brooch or pendant. The diamonds, which are old Mine Cut stones, are
Category

Antique 1880s Renaissance Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Horseshoe Crescent Brooch
Located in London, GB
bright white old mine cut diamonds, meticulously set along the sweeping curve with a centralised wrap
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Silver and Gold Old Mine Diamond Star Burst Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian Silver and Gold Old Mine Diamond Star Burst Pin. This gorgeous
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Enamel Old Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in London, GB
with Plique-a-jour enamelling. Old cut diamonds with natural pearl. Central diamond 0.9ct
Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel

Sword Jabot Pin Old Mine Cut Diamond Un-Heated Sapphires
Located in MIAMI, FL
displays fine details throughout. Twelve old mine cut diamonds are set throughout the design. The diamonds
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century American Romantic Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Opal Stickpin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond and Opal Stickpin. This gorgeous
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold

Old Cut Diamond Flower Bouquet Brooch in Platinum
Located in London, England
A beautiful traditional diamond floral spray brooch from the mid-20th century. The brooch measures
Category

Mid-20th Century British Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Rose Gold Old Mine Diamond Horseshoe Stick Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Rose Gold Old Mine Diamond Horseshoe Stick Pin. This pin has old
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian 18 Karat Gold and Platinum Old Mine Diamond Crescent Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold and Platinum Old Mine Diamond Crescent Pin. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Yellow Gold Diamond Edwardian Pinwheel Swirl Brooch 14k Mine Floral Antique Pin
Located in Greensboro, NC
Diamond Carat: .05ct Cut: Mine Color: F Clarity: VS2 Style: Brooch Fastening Type: Hinged Pin and
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Gold Platinum Old Mine Cut Diamond Horse Shoe Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Stunning Victorian horse shoe pin with old mine cut diamonds. Item #P0098 Metal: 14K Yellow Gold
Category

Antique Early 1800s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Platinum Double Horse Shoe Vintage Old Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Platinum Double Horse Shoe Vintage Brooch. Mounted with 23 carats of antique diamonds over filigree
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Late 19th Century Brooch with Old Cut Diamonds
Located in Lucerne, CH
set with 49 old mine diamonds totalling approximate 3.40 carats. dimensions approx.: 34 x 27 mm
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

.32ct Natural Old Mine Cut Natural Diamond Tube Pin Rope Twist 14kt
Located in New York, NY
Rope Twist Tubular Pin Very Well Made .32ct natural diamonds Old Mine H-color Si-1 Clarity 2.4
Category

2010s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Arrow Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K Rose Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Arrow Pin. This gorgeous arrow pin
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Pearl Griffin Stickpin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Pearl Griffin Stickpin. This
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Antique Edwardian Gold Platinum 2.36ct Mine Diamond Open Flower Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (49) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut - Prong Set - H-J Color - VS2-SI2
Category

Antique 19th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

14 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Bar Brooch Pin Old Miner Diamonds
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold and Diamond Bar Brooch Pin Old Miner Diamonds 3"" in length 1/2
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14k Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Crescent Stick Pin
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (14) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine Cut - Prong Set - 0.75-0.95ctw (approx.) Very
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Nouveau Natural River Pearl Enamel Mine Cut Diamond Foliate Motif Brooch
Located in Boston, MA
the organic motif are three old mine cut diamonds, totaling 0.16 carats, with a clarity of VS2 and a
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique Old Cut Diamond Fleur-De-Lis Pendant Brooch
Located in London, GB
from 18 yellow gold, the piece is adorned with old mine cut diamonds, each stone radiating a
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian Old Mine Cut Diamond Pearl Platinum 18KYG Crescent Pin Pendant Antique
Located in Boca Raton, FL
gold. The brooch features multi-color graduated pearls and 25 Old Mine Cut Diamonds weighing
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Deco 18K White Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Horseshoe Stick Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
stickpin has old mine cut diamonds set in white gold and is in great condition. Item #P0115 Metal: 18K
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold

Victorian Old Mine Cut Diamond Amethyst 18 Karat Gold Heart Halo Pendant Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
talon prongs and featuring a halo surround of old mine cut diamonds. Weighing approximately 0.96 carat
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Mine Diamond En Tremblant Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Mine Diamond En Tremblant Pin. This
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Snake Stick Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Art Deco 18K Yellow Gold Old Mine Diamond Snake Stick Pin. This cute stick pin
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Old Mine Diamond Gold Ribbon Bow Pin
Located in Stamford, CT
Victorian rose gold bow pin set with old mine diamonds. Circa 1880 – 1890. 10 old mine cut
Category

Antique 1880s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Cabochon Ruby Old Mine Diamond Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Cabochon Ruby & Old Mine Diamond Pendant Brooch. Set in 14kt Yellow Gold and suspended
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, 14k Gold

Victorian Diamond Ruby Dragonfly Brooch En Tremblant Pin 6 Carats Old Mine Cut
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
shimmering, diamond embedded wings. Boasting 6 carats of old mine cut diamonds and adorned with 3 carats of
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Horse Shoe Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Stunning Victorian horse shoe pin with Old mine cut diamonds. Item #P0094 Metal: 14K Yellow Gold
Category

Antique Early 1800s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Platinum Brooch with Old Cut Diamonds 0.57ct
Located in Chorzów, PL
An old, elegant Art Deco brooch with diamonds in an old diamond and rosette cut. A brooch made of
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Gold, Platinum, Silver

Victorian Old Cut Diamond Bird Brooch in Silver and Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful Late Victorian old cut diamond bird brooch set in silver on gold. The brooch depicts a
Category

Antique 1890s Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 14 Karat Yellow Gold Old Mine Cut Diamond Horse Shoe Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous Victorian horse shoe pin with old mine cut diamonds. Item #P0095 Metal: 14K Yellow Gold
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Nouveau Whiteside and Blank 18k Gold Enamel Old Mine Diamond Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous Antique Art Nouveau Whiteside and Blank 18K Gold Enamel Old Mine Diamond Pin. This
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Antique Victorian 18K Gold Old Mine Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald Horseshoe Pin
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Gold Old Mine Diamond Ruby Sapphire Emerald Horseshoe Pin. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Chaumet Retro Initial a Old-Mine Cut Diamond 18k Gold Clip Brooch, circa 1940s
By Chaumet
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
carats of bright old-mine cut diamonds and is made in 18k gold. It was made in the 1940s. Signed, French
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

French Old Cut Diamond Aeronautic Turbogas Bracelet Brooch, ca. 1940s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A transformable old cut diamond turbogas bracelet & brooch, ca. 1940s . The dynamic centre part of
Category

Vintage 1940s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum

Edwardian Old Cut Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Edwardian Old Cut Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bar Brooch. Featuring three old mine cut and old
Category

Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Mine Diamond and Opal Pin Penda
Located in Great Neck, NY
Gorgeous Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Top Old Mine Diamond and Opal Pin Pendant. This
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, Silver

Art Deco 5.50 Carat Old European Cut Diamond Platinum Brooch Pin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Beautiful platinum art deco diamond brooch with 5.50 carats of old European cut diamonds. There is
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Era Old Mine Cut Diamond Gold Cross
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A magnificent Victorian era old mine cut diamond cross in 18k yellow gold. The diamonds have a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

English Antique Gold, Cabochon Turquoise, and Old Cut Diamond Horseshoe Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A Victorian diamond and turquoise horseshoe brooch set with graduated and alternating old mine cut
Category

Antique 1880s English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold

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Diamond Brooch Old Mine For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact diamond brooch old mine you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Our collection of these items for sale includes 454 vintage editions and 2 modern creations to choose from as well. Making the right choice when shopping for a diamond brooch old mine may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th 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 piece, .5 Carat and 1 Carat are consistently popular carat weights. A diamond brooch old mine from Tiffany Co., Cartier and René Boivin — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. See these pages for an old mine cut iteration of this accessory, while there are also antique cushion cut cut and old european cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our diamond brooch old mine for sale are for women, but there are 217 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Diamond Brooch Old Mine?

The price for a diamond brooch old mine starts at $251 and tops out at $150,000 with these brooches, on average, selling for $5,103.

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.

Questions About Diamond Brooch Old Mine
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Mine cut diamonds are up to 300 years ago. Mine cut diamonds were popular around the 18th century during Victorian times and are still in high demand today. You’ll find a wide selection of mine cut diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Because the old mine cut is no longer used on diamonds, diamonds with this cut are rare and so you can often get quite a lot of money for them. Nevertheless, it is still dependent on the quality of the individual diamonds and on the color, clarity, cut and carat number.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Old mine cut diamonds are usually worth less than old european cut diamonds. Because they are generally 10-15% less expensive, they are often larger than other cut diamonds for engagement rings.
  • Like any other diamond, an old mine cut diamond's worth depends on a variety of factors. These factors include the 4C's (color, clarity, cut, carat), the overall beauty and "make" of the stone, the demand, supply, etc. On average however, old mine cuts are typically priced slightly lower (around 5-10%) than modern cut diamonds.