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Modern Moira Pink Sapphire Diamond Gold Silver Rose Brooch and Earrings Suite
By Moira Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
set pink sapphire petals, edged with old-cut diamonds, with an old-cut diamond in the centre, with
Category

Early 2000s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Silver

Late 19th Century Old Cut Diamond and Natural Saltwater Pearl Morning Glory Leaf
Located in Hummelstown, PA
, white body color, pinctada species Diamonds: estimated 2.25 - 2.5 total carats Weight: 13.2 grams
Category

Antique 1880s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique lily of the valley 3cts diamond brooch in 18 karat gold and silver
Located in PARIS, FR
Antique lily of the valley diamond brooch in 18 karat gold and silver. Large brooch featuring two
Category

Antique 1870s French Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Vintage Pearl Diamond Jade Lily of the Valley Brooch c. 1940
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in Vienna, Austria, circa 1940. The brooch is finely modelled as a lily of the valley. The
Category

Vintage 1940s Austrian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold

Victorian 6.00 Carat Diamond, Pearl and Ruby Oyster Shell Brooch, circa 1880s
Located in London, GB
A fascinating oyster shell brooch featuring an assortment of diamonds, rubies and a single large
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold

Anitque Art Nouveau 14k Green Rose Gold Diamond Textured Flower Leaf Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (12) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Mine & Single Cut - Prong Set - White Color
Category

Antique 19th Century Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

Victorian Diamond Tremblone Brooch French 18k Gold Silver Antique Clip Pin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
and 10 karat and set with old mine cut diamonds (each from 0.45 to 0.02 carat, totaling approximately
Category

Antique 19th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique 14K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver Pearl and Diamond Brooch #19911
Located in Washington Depot, CT
gold brooch features 28 old mine cut diamonds* and three round pearls (6 mm each). *Some chips to
Category

20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Six Point Star Brooch, With Rays Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
An antique diamond six point star brooch, with rays, with an old-cut diamond, in a cut down setting
Category

Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Victorian 0.15 Carat Sapphire, Pearl and Diamond Bug Brooch, circa 1880s
Located in London, GB
This charming gem set fly brooch was created in the Victorian era. The thorax of the fly is made of
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Silver

Antique Georgian Silver 9K Gold Diamond Foliate Openwork Brooch in Fitted Case
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Georgian diamond, silver, and rose gold brooch, comprising forty-seven old mine cut diamonds, set
Category

Antique Late 18th Century British Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 15 Gold Silver 2.46tgw Amethyst and Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian amethyst, diamond, silver, and yellow gold pendant and brooch, comprising one square
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, 15k Gold, Silver

Antique Circa 1920s Art Deco 18k Gold Natural Diamond And Pearl Brooch Pendant
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 10.4 grams. Totally is old cut diamond 0.30 ct. The diamond
Category

Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

F.W. Lawrence Arts Crafts Opal, Diamond and Pearl Grapes Brooch
Located in Hummelstown, PA
mine-cut diamond stars peek through luminous pearl grape clusters wrapped in beautifully burnished
Category

Antique 1890s American Arts and Crafts Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold

Antique Art Deco Platinum Tutti Frutti Moonstone Diamond Flower Pot Brooch
Located in Winter Springs, FL
“tutti frutti” flower pot brooch is hand crafted in platinum and set with marquise and old mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Moonstone, Emerald, Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Platinum

Victorian brooch with pearls and diamonds up to 0.15ct 14k pink gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
14k gold and silver brooch set with pearl, old mine cut and rose cut diamond up to 0.15 ct - G/H
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

14 Carat Yellow Gold 18 Diamonds Saint Petersburg Russia Anchor Brooch
Located in Orimattila, FI
14 Carat Yellow Gold 18 Diamonds Saint Petersburg Russia Anchor Brooch 14k gold, Russian gold stamp
Category

Antique 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Edwardian 18k Platinum Flower Basket Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
Measurements: 1.86in x 0.83in Gem Stones: Rose Cut/Old Mine Diamonds, Emerald, Sapphire, Red Stone. Dangling
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Art Nouveau 10k Yellow Gold Diamond Enamel Flower Pin Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (2) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old Mine Cut - Prong Set - G Color - VS2 Clarity - 0.04ctw
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

14k gold and silver brooch shape of a lily with pearl, sapphire, and diamonds
Located in The Hague, ZH
Victorian 14k gold and silver brooch in the shape of a lily, set with pearl, sapphire, and old mine
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 10k Yellow Gold Diamond Swivel Buckle Brooch w/ Dangle Locket
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old Mine Cut - Star Pave Set - 0.03ctw (approx.) Material
Category

20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Georgian Floral Brooch Featuring 3 Carats DTW of Antique Diamonds
Located in Montgomery, AL
and SI2 in clarity. This antique brooch features approximately three carats of old mine cut diamonds
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Georgian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum, Sterling Silver

Petite Georgian Diamond 18K Gold Flower Brooch - France - Circa 1819-38
Located in Chatham, CA
old mine cut diamonds in solid silver crimped collet settings to form the flower head (approx. 0.76
Category

Antique Early 19th Century French Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Ladies Platinum 14 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Stick Pin Brooch
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
yellow gold antique stick pin with .30 carat miner's cut diamond H/VS is delicately framed in white
Category

Early 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1850s Victorian Diamond Tri-Colored 14 Karat Gold Bar Pin Brooch
Located in Wallkill, NY
Lovely early Bar pin 14K Gold Rose, green and yellow gold, Early C style Clasp, Mine cut Diamond
Category

Antique 1850s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Antique Pink Sapphire Diamond Turquoise 14k Yellow Gold Insect Bar Brooch
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
hand cut old mine cut diamonds. The eyes are set with two cabochon rubies and the clasp is a pin with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Designer Frank Gardner Hale 14k Diamond Turquoise Pearl Brooch Pendant
Located in Birmingham, AL
Gardner Hale. It is made in 14 k yellow Gold and features 23 Old Mine Cut Diamonds with an estimated Carat
Category

20th Century American Arts and Crafts Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold

Antique Enamel Flower Brooch of 18k Gold
Located in Lewisburg, PA
vibrant blue and white enamel petals, centered by a sparkling old mine cut diamond. The naturalistic
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Leitão Irmão Antique 19th Century Diamond Star Tortoise Shell Brooch Hair Comb
Located in Lisbon, PT
cut-down collet-set throughout with Old Mine-cut and Old European brilliant-cut diamonds, the central
Category

Antique 1880s Portuguese Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Ruby and Pearl Crescent Brooch
Located in London, GB
captivating array of rich pinky red rubies paired with chunky white old mine cut diamonds below, each stone
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Giuliano Mini Brooch Set
By Giuliano
Located in London, GB
quatrefoil motif enamelled in white and blue with a silver set old cut diamond at the centre. This focal
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Enamel

Diamond 18 Carat Gold Knot Ribbon Brooch with Dangle Snake Chain Fringe Drops
Located in London, GB
old cut diamonds, all pavé set in white gold, adding a touch of sophistication to the piece. The
Category

Vintage 1940s European Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Brooch with Natural Pearls Diamonds in Silver 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
warmth and luxury. Set with 35 old-mine cut diamonds totaling 0.90 carats, their soft brilliance captures
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Diamond Pearl and Ruby Oak Leaf and Trefoil Clover Brooch, Art Nouveau, ca 1910s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
symbolism. The brooch is very finely set with numerous small old cut diamonds in a milgrain setting (the
Category

Vintage 1910s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

14k White Gold Long Carved Pierced Black Onyx w/ Star Diamond Bar Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
(approx.) (23) Natural Genuine Diamonds - 22 Round Brilliant Cut & 1 Old Mine Cut - Pave Set - F-H Color
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Edwardian Platinum and 10K Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Hicksville, NY
grams Diamond Information: Center Diamond: .50ct approximate, Old mine brilliant, I color, VS clarity
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Georgian "Regard" Basket Brooch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Antique 18K gold cannetille basket brooch set across the top with a ruby, emerald, garnet, amethyst
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Georgian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Turquoise, Multi-gemstone, 18k...

Antique Essex Crystal Horse and Rider Brooch
Located in Baltimore, MD
Essex crystal carving of a horse and jockey surrounded by rose diamonds. Perhaps they are symbolic
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Snake, Hammer and Stars Brooch, 9k Gold and Silver, Diamond, Ruby, Pearl
Located in NEWARK, GB
and direction to the wearer. Perfect worn as a brooch or lapel pin. It has an old C type clasp and
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Turquoise, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Platinum on Yellow Gold circa 1910 Edwardian Brooch 2.25 Carat
Located in Wailea, HI
Platinum on Yellow Gold Circa 1910 Edwardian Brooch 2.25 carats Sixty Five Old Mine Cut Diamonds
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1.50 Carat Butterfly Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Open work 1930's Butterfly diamond brooch. 55 old mine cut diamonds in a a 14k yellow gold
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Art Nouveau Russian 14K Gold and Sterling Silver Wyvern Brooch
Located in Houston, TX
spinel for an eye and 32 old mine-cut diamonds totaling 2.25 carats. The brooch has a hook on the back to
Category

Antique 1890s European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Spinel, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver

Georgian Key to My Heart Rare Acrostic Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
– 1 old mine cut diamond of approx .15 Ct Measures: key is 40 x 18 mm. – heart is 9 x 8 mm. (h. x w
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Georgian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, 18k Gold

.48 Carat Diamond Platinum Filigree Edwardian Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Circa 1900’s Edwardian Art Deco Platinum open work diamond filigree brooch. 1 old mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

6.50ct Diamond Platinum Pin
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning platinum pin. The pin is set with sparkling rose, old mine and princess cut
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Nouveau Pink Enamel 14 Karat Yellow Gold Antique Sweetpea Flower Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
color and exhibiting minimal loss - prong set with diamond Old mine cut and weighing approximately 0.10
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

T. B. Starr Belle Époque Pearl Platinum and Gold Brooch, Circa 1905
By Theodore B. Starr
Located in London, GB
An antique, T. B. Starr, Belle Époque diamond, pearl, platinum and gold brooch, featuring a natural
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Platinum

Antique Arts Crafts 12k Gold GIA Sapphire Ruby Emerald Swirl Leaf Brooch Pin
Located in Montclair, NJ
stones. At the top and bottom there are sets of old mine cut natural diamonds, in the middle there is a
Category

Vintage 1910s Arts and Crafts Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold

Belle Epoque Platinum Diamond Flower
Located in Miami, FL
Weight 12.8g Old Cut Diamond Approx. 2ct Flower Brooch Measurements 1.42in x 2.04in With Antique
Category

20th Century Unknown Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Art Deco 6.00ct Diamond Platinum Pin
Located in New York, NY
This is a stunning platinum pin from the Art Deco era. The pin is set with sparkling old mine and
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

1950s 0.80ct Diamond Ruby Gold Money Bag Pin
Located in New York, NY
mine cut diamonds that weigh approximately 0.80ct. The color of these diamonds is G-H with VS2 clarity
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Sapphire Diamond Gold Horseshoe Stick Pin
Located in Chicago, IL
with excellent royal blue old mine cut sapphires and antique cushion cut diamonds. Estimated total
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold

1.84 Carat Rose Cut Diamond Silver Gold Victorian Brooch Pendant
Located in Stamford, CT
1860's Victorian diamond brooch pendant. One Old Mine cut center diamond set in a silver top and
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Art Deco 4.00ct Diamond Sapphire Platinum Pin
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful platinum pin from the Art Deco era. The pin is set with sparkling old mine cut
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

Victorian Era Platinum and Diamond Stick Pin
Located in New York, NY
exquisite piece boasts 2.60ct-tw old mine cut diamonds, capturing the allure of a bygone era. The meticulous
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Victorian Handpainted Miniature Portrait With Yellow Gold and Diamond Frame
Located in New York, NY
Antique Portrait Miniature Brooch with Ornate Gold Filigree and Old Mine Cut Diamond Accents. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 15k Gold

Edwardian Platinum, Natural Unheated Sapphire, and Diamond Pin
Located in Princeton, NJ
An exceedingly rare and highly coveted platinum, natural unheated Sri Lankan sapphire, and old-mine
Category

Antique 1890s French Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum

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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.