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Antique Victorian Silver Gold South Sea Pearl Diamond Large Brooch
Located in New York, NY
- approx. 13.6mm x 16.5mm, and mix of old mine, transitional to rose cut diamonds. Total approx. 10.00ctw
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, Silver

Antique French diamond 18k yellow gold silver enamel brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This antique French brooch sparkles with 2 carats of old mine cut diamonds, set in 18k yellow gold
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Kirkpatrick 14 Karat Gold Platinum GIA Diamond Star Snowflake Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
, old mine cut diamond multi-prong set at its center weighing 1.19 carats. The entire piece is drenched
Category

Antique 1890s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

1920s Art Deco Diamond and Onyx Circle Brooch in Platinum
Located in Wailea, HI
Casual Wear Fourteen Old Mine Cut Diamonds Weighing .45 Carats Approximately Thirty French Cut Onyxes
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Platinum

Belle Epoque Antique Diamond Sapphire Platinum Gold Clover Pendant Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
sapphire (approximately 0.62 ct) and numerous old European and old mine cut diamonds. Estimated total
Category

Early 20th Century Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum

Art Deco Diamond Pearl 18k White Gold Crown Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Deco Diamond Pearl 18 Karat White Gold Crown Brooch. Featuring one old mine cut diamond of
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique Victorian Emerald Pearl Diamond Gold and Silver Flower Brooch Set
Located in New York, NY
, emeralds and approx. 2.50-2.60ctw in old mine cut diamonds. Each brooch measures 36mm x 25mm. Weight of the
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Tremblant Diamond Floral Spray Brooch Silver Gold Portuguese
Located in Lisbon, PT
Victorian en Tremblant diamond floral spray brooch in silver and gold, Portugal, late 1800s. A
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Portuguese Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Georgian 18k Gold and Silver Amethyst and Diamond Brooch
Located in Birmingham, AL
the piece. The filigree frame is decorated by 27 old mine cut diamonds, which weigh approximately
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Unknown Georgian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Vintage Large Opal and Diamond 18 Carat Gold Crescent Brooch
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
An exquisite large vintage crescent brooch fully set with opals and diamonds. The 23 spectacular
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold

Antique Jugendstil Painted Miniature Diamond Pearl Pendant Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Austria, c. 1910 This delicate antique Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) pendant / brooch features a glazed
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Sapphire, Diamond and Gold Crescent Brooch, Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
An antique sapphire and diamond crescent brooch, set with nine, oval and round faceted sapphires
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 15k Gold

Art Nouveau Diamond Enamel 14 Karat Gold Flower Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
with delicate pink veining Centering an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.08 carat; eye
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian Diamond Silver 14 Karat Rose Gold Crescent Moon Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Victorian Diamond Silver 14 Karat Rose Gold Crescent Moon Brooch. Featuring 37 old mine cut
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond, Silver and Gold Eight Ray Star Brooch, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
An antique, diamond star brooch, with a raised, old-cut diamond, in a gold claw setting, in the
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Garland En Tremblant Brooch Set in Silver-on-Gold
Located in London, England
old mine-cut diamond foliate sprays. The brooch has set to the reverse a pin and roller clasp fitting
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond and Pearl Floral Star Brooch in Silver on Gold
Located in London, England
mine cut diamonds spray out. In-between each elongated panel we see a further old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

1930s 14K YG Diamond Seed Pearl Clover Citrine Brooch
Located in New York, NY
old mine cut diamond 3 heart shape citrine and seed pearl edges & stem 2 pearls near the stem Brooch
Category

Vintage 1930s American Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

1920s Diamond Brooch
Located in Geneva, CH
Diamond and Platinum Bow Brooch. Old mine cut Diamond: 2.00 carats. Circa 1920. Width: 5.00 cm
Category

Vintage 1910s French Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond

A 14 Carat Gold Pansy Brooch with Onyx and Diamond
Located in Amsterdam, NL
flower has been carved from one piece of onyx and is set in the heart with an old cut diamond, circa 1900
Category

Antique Early 1900s German Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold

5.3 Carat Diamonds Edwardian White Gold Platinum Bar Brooch
Located in London, GB
This Edwardian bar brooch is made in 18kt gold. It is set with a transitional cut diamond of 1.30ct
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Enamel, Diamond and Pearl 9 Carat Gold Brooch
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
brooch there is a small sparkling diamond measuring 10pts and around it is a starburst of pearls. Comes
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 9k Gold, Gold, Enamel

Antique Diamond Silver and Gold Bow Brooch, 9.00 carats, Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
A late Victorian open bow brooch, set with round and cushion shaped old-cut diamonds, in grain
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Diamond Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Enamel Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Art Nouveau Diamond Pearl 18k Yellow Gold Enamel Brooch. Featuring one old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Diamond And Silver Upon Gold Eight Ray Star Brooch, Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
settings, the points are set with old-cut, old mine-cut and rose cut diamonds, in grain settings, with
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique 14K Gold “Fleur-de-lis” Diamond Brooch Pendant XIX Century
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
silver. 4 old mine cut diamonds. 73 rose cut diamonds. This brooch can be worn as a pendant as well, the
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver Plate

Antique Renaissance Revival Gold Dragon Snake Diamond Emerald Brooch C 1890
Located in Firenze, IT
Superb dragon and snake 18K gold brooch in the Renaissance Revival style from the end of the 19th
Category

Antique 1890s European Renaissance Revival Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Victorian Diamond Star Pendant Brooch Silver-topped 14K Gold ~3.5ctw
Located in Fairfield, CT
Victorian Silver Topped Starburst Star Diamond Brooch Pendant in 14K This Victorian silver-topped
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Diamond And Silver Upon Gold Crescent Brooch, Circa 1890, 5.40 Carats
Located in London, GB
An antique crescent moon brooch, the body is set with two rows of old mine-cut diamonds, graduating
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

CHAISE Oval pendant-brooch in gold, silver, diamonds and natural pearls
Located in PARIS, FR
centerpiece is set with a 6.5 mm calibrated mobile button pearl and falling old mine cut and rose-cut diamonds
Category

Antique 1870s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond And Silver Upon Gold Triple Horseshoe Arrow Brooch, 4.00 Carat
Located in London, GB
, fletching feathers and nock set with old-cut and old mine-cut diamonds, with an estimated total weight of
Category

Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian 2.67 Carat Emerald Diamond 18 Karat Gold Cross Pendant Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
green to light green in color Each arm terminates as old mine cut diamonds and cross centers an old
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Victorian Era 18KT Gold Sun, Moon, and Stars Brooch with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
total weight of sparkling old mine cut diamonds. A rare and symbolic design representing illumination
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold 4-Leaf Clover Brooch with Diamond Center
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A 14 carat yellow gold 4-Leaf Clover brooch. In the center is an 0.45 carat Old Mine cut diamond
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Diamond and Pearl Three-Leaf Clover Brooch in Silver on Gold
Located in London, England
depicts a three-leaf clover and is centrally set with a rubover-set old mine cut diamond. Each clover leaf
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 18K Gold Silver 3.5ctw Diamond Convertible Cloak Clip Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
(Napoleon III). This brooch is set with a plethora of old mine cut, old European cut, and rose cut diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Jugendstil 14K Gold Diamond Natural Pearl Drop Pin Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
diamonds: 1 old cut (0,05ct) and 3 rose cut (0,012ct). There is a small natural pearl drop at the bottom
Category

Early 20th Century French Jugendstil Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold

GIA Certified Jadeite Jade Diamond Pearl Yellow Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Ivory hue pearl 30 round gray crème pearls 2.5mm-3mm 3 old mine cut diamonds K-M I, approx. .60cts 18k
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Art Nouveau 20 Karat Yellow Gold Textured Diamond Swirl Knot Brooch Pin
Located in Boca Raton, FL
center is an approximate .45 carat Old Mine cut diamond graded I color and VS2 clarity. The intricate
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Silver And Gold Butterfly Brooch, Circa 1880
Located in London, GB
An antique butterfly brooch, with old-cut diamond pavé set thorax and wings, with a faceted emerald
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Brooch set with opal and diamonds up to 1.30ct 14k yellow gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k yellow gold brooch in the shape of a leaf with opal and old mine cut and rose cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1980s Dutch Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Nouveau Iris Enamel Brooch Diamond 14k Yellow Gold Vintage Flower
Located in Torrance, CA
. One old mine cut diamond is estimated at 0.05 carats (estimated at I-J color and SI2 clarity). The
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Antique Art Nouveau Iris Enamel Brooch Diamond 14 Karat Gold Vintage Flower
Located in Torrance, CA
. One old mine cut diamond is estimated at 0.05 carats (estimated at I-J color and SI2 clarity). The
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian 14K Gold Cobalt Blue Enamel 0.23ct Diamond Knot Bar Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
It is a beautiful antique bar brooch in 14K yellow gold. It features 0.23ct old cut diamond, which
Category

Early 20th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Enamel

Edwardian Diamond Floral Cluster Brooch Set in Platinum and 18k White Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful Edwardian old mine cut diamond brooch set in platinum and 18k white gold, circa 1905
Category

Antique Early 1900s English Edwardian Brooches

Materials

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

Early Victorian Diamond and Ruby Flower Heart Brooch/Pendant in Silver on Gold
Located in London, England
exactly 29 old mine cut diamonds and four round cut red rubies. At the back of the brooch we see not only
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Antique Belle Epoque 14K Yellow Gold Silver Plated Diamond Lavalier Brooch
Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.
features 35 old cut diamonds of 1,00ct total weight, color RW-STW, clarity VS-SI2. There is a single
Category

Antique 19th Century French Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver Plate

Victorian 18 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Wreath Framed Portrait Brooch #23737
Located in Washington Depot, CT
with 92 old mine and rose cut diamonds set in a white metal, as was typical for this time period
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

French Art Deco Diamond White Gold and Platinum Clip Brooch
Located in London, GB
adorned with 60 diamonds in total – 45 old cut and 15 rose cut diamonds. The total diamond carat weight is
Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

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

French Early Art Deco Platinum Gold Diamond Pearl Jade Buddha Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
mine cut diamonds, pearl and jade. Brooch measures 1 6/8" x 1.5". Comes in original fitted box. Weight
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Gold, Platinum

Late Deco 4.65ct Diamond and Ruby French Flower Brooch, c.1940s
Located in London, GB
collection of diamonds, including old cuts, eight cuts, and baguette cuts, with a total weight of 4.65 carat
Category

Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Retro Diamond Set Golf Club Novelty Brooch Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in London, GB
shaft of yellow gold and the grip is finished with the addition of nine grain set old mine cut diamonds
Category

Vintage 1940s British Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1920’s Art Deco Diamond and Emerald Bow Brooch in Platinum, 17ctw
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
1920’s Art Deco platinum bow brooch with 1.14ct center diamond, 16ctw diamonds, and 0.75ct emeralds
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

Tiffany Co. Victorian Diamond Enamel 18K Gold Antique Flower Pendant Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
light and dark violet enamel - glossy with minimal loss Centering an old mine cut diamond weighing
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

1890s Hallmarked French Natural No Heated Sapphire Diamond Gold Brooch-Pendant
Located in Napoli, NA
diamonds are old mine cut totaling approx. 2.00 cts. graded F color Vs clarity. The Jewel presents many
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Diamond Pearl 14 Karat Yellow Gold Greek Goddess Athena Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
by an old mine cut diamond weighing approximately 0.04 carat - eye clean and white Surrounded by 2.5
Category

Vintage 1920s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pair of Antique Demantoid Garnet Ruby Diamond and Gold Salamander Brooches
Located in London, GB
sides, old-cut diamonds from the nose to the base of the tail, and round cabochon ruby eyes, mounted in
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Gold, 14k 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.