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1989 Barry Kieselstein-Cord 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Cat Brooch/Pendant #21378
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD
Located in Washington Depot, CT
1989 Barry Kieselstein-Cord 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Cat Brooch/Pendant- This whimsical design
Category

20th Century Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Victorian Pearl Diamond Cat Brooch
Located in Banbury, GB
This adorable Victorian cat brooch is crafted from 15ct yellow gold, silver, and diamonds
Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Cat Brooch Silver Topped Gold ~1ctw Diamonds + Pearl
Located in Fairfield, CT
Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Cat Brooch Silver Topped Gold ~1ctw Diamonds + Pearl This Victorian
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

18 Karat Gold Tiffany Co. Diamond Cat Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, England
cat sitting with it's tail wrapped around its slender body and paws, decorated with a diamond set
Category

Vintage 1980s German Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

TIFFANY CO. 18k Yellow Gold, Ruby Diamond Cat Clip Pin Brooch Vintage 1960s
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Tiffany & Co. Vintage 1960s 18k Yellow Gold, Ruby & Diamond Cat Brooch Here is your chance to
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold

Victorian Cat s Eye Ruby and Diamond Spider Web Brooch
Located in London, GB
naturalistic theme. The brooch is further embellished with rose cut diamonds, adding a touch of sparkle. The
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cat’s Eye, Gold, Silver

Diamond Platinum Kitty Cat Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A sweet and stylish brooch of a sleeping kitty cat! It features 2.61 carats of round brilliant-cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Emerald Diamond Yellow Gold Cat Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Emeralds diamonds and yellow gold cat brooch circa 1960. SPECIFICATIONS: GEMSTONES: three
Category

Vintage 1960s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Craig Drake Gold Cat Brooch with Diamond
By Craig Drake
Located in Darnestown, MD
Charming brooch of an 18 karat gold cat with very fine detail. The feline is beside its diamond
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Large Diamond Yellow Gold Cat Brooch, 1910
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 18K yellow Gold Cat brooch, measuring 1 3/4 X 1 5/8 inch and weighing 33.5 Grams. The
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Emerald Diamond Gold Cat Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Miami, FL
18k yellow gold Tiffany and Co 1991 brooch featuring Emerald eyes and 5 round brilliant cut
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

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

Ventrella Napoli Couple Cats Enamel Diamond Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
Unusual Cat shaped brooches hand-crafted in Italy of 18k yellow and white gold. One of the two is
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Lunati Gioielli Cat Diamond and Enamel Brooch
Located in Derby, NY
This extraordinary, Italian designer Lunati Gioielli, Cat brooch will captivate with its vintage
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

English Diamond Sapphire Gold Cat Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
accented with 34 genuine round cut diamonds approx. 2.25 ct, G-H color, VS clarity, and 30 genuine baguette
Category

Vintage 1950s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

18 Karat Gold Vintage Cat Brooch with Diamond
Located in London, England
A whimsical 18ct yellow gold and diamond hand carved cat brooch. The hand tooled cat displays a
Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cat s face Diamond Emerald Brooch Early 20th Century
Located in Geneva, CH
Cat's face Brooch set with Diamond and Emerald on brass (not tested). Early 20th Century
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Brass

Tiffany Co. Figural Cat Brooch Emeralds Diamonds Gold
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tiffany & Co figural cat gold brooch set with emeralds and diamonds circa 1991. Depicting a clever
Category

1990s Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

1960s Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Gold Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
This rare Van Cleef & Arpels brooch features a mid-century design of a whimsical cat crafted in 18k
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Frascarolo Black Enamel Cat Brooch
By Frascarolo
Located in New York, NY
Cat brooch, finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with black enamel, diamonds and 2 emerald eyes
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Cat Brooch 14k c1970s American
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 14k, American. This whimsical cat brooch brings a playful element to any look. It
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1950s Platinum, Diamond and Emerald Cat and Key Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A Mid-20th Century brooch with diamonds and emeralds. This charming brooch features an emerald-eyed
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Platinum

VAN CLEEF ARPELS onyx, emerald diamond winking cat brooch.
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, black onyx, emerald, ruby and diamond “winking” cat brooch. Signed Van
Category

Vintage 1950s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Cat Brooch Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Cat Brooch Pin by Tiffany & Co. With 80 round rubies and 2 round
Category

Vintage 1980s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Sapphire Cat Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
piece from Cartier. This elegant brooch features a fabulous 18K Yellow Gold kitty cat that includes
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian 1900s Ruby Diamond Gold Three Cats Pin Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Cutest three-cats pin created in the 1900's. Made of 18k (stamped) yellow gold and accented with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

E. Wolfe Co. Vintage Diamond Playing Cat Brooch Yellow Gold
Located in London, England
A delightful E. Wolfe & Co. vintage diamond and emerald playing cat brooch in 18-karat yellow and
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamond and Turquoise Yellow Gold Cat Brooch, Circa 1960
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
head). This impressive gold cat brooch with diamonds is supplied with an independent diamond grading
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Buccellati White Diamond and Emerald Yellow Gold Wild Cat Brooch
By Buccellati
Located in Southampton, PA
Made of shimmering 18K yellow gold, this attractive brooch in shape of a wild cat also features
Category

20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Heart Cat Brooch 2.50 Carats
Located in New York, NY
18 Karat Yellow Gold Cat motif brooch featuring numerous round brilliants weighing approximately
Category

Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Cats Eye Tourmaline Akoya Pearl Diamond Platinum Foliage Pendant Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A unique and stylish piece that can be worn as a pendant or a brooch! It features a fine 13.56
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, Platinum

Van Cleef Arpels “Winking Cat” Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
a cabochon emerald and brilliant white diamonds and his body adorned with a cabochon of black onyx
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

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

VCA Gold and Onyx Winking Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
An 18k gold, black onyx, black enamel, cabochon emerald and diamond winking cat brooch. Signed Van
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Emerald, 18k Gold

VAN CLEEF ARPELS Gem set Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Chicago, IL
18K Yellow Gold Cat Brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, Onyx Body, Emerald Eye,Diamond Eye Brow and Ruby
Category

Vintage 1960s French Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Ruby, Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold

Spitzer Furman Vintage Diamond Emerald Platinum 18 Karat Gold Cat Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooch designed as a stylized cat comprised of winding gold wire With platinum paws, ears, and
Category

Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Tiffany Co Elsa Peretti Diamond Cat Heart Brooch in 18K Gold
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany Co.
Located in Boston, MA
A Paloma Picasso designed heart and cat form brooch by Tiffany & Company. Pave set with 1.02
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Cat Pin Brooch Set in 18k Yellow Gold
By E. Wolfe Company
Located in London, England
A beautiful ruby eyed cat brooch set in 18k yellow gold. The brooch depicts a sitting cat; which
Category

2010s British Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Garnet, Cats Eye, Opal, Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
are demantoid garnet, cats eye, opal, pearl, amethyst and diamond. The brooch base is rope twist gold
Category

Antique 1850s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Opal, Pearl, Yellow Gold

Antique French 18K Gold Silver Diamond Ruby Pearl Cat Brooch C1890
Located in Firenze, IT
Antique late 19th C French Novelty animal brooch in silver and gold with 2 kittens playing with a
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Dan Frere 14K Yellow Gold Diamond, Ruby, Onyx and Emerald Cat Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
. Designed by Dan Frere, this brooch takes the form of a cat in solid 14K yellow gold detailed with textured
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Yellow and White Gold Cat Brooch Pin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Vintage cat brooch crafted from 18-karat textured yellow and white gold whiskers. The brooch is
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, W...

Jona Mother-of-Pearl White Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cat Brooch
By Jona
Located in Torino, Piedmont
Jona design collection, 18 karat yellow gold cat shaped brooch, set with a mother of pearl body and
Category

2010s Italian Brooches

Materials

Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lb Exclusive 18k Yellow Gold Diamond, Turquoise, Emerald, and Ruby Cat Brooch
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This charming cat-shaped brooch will earn you endless compliments. A brilliant Turquoise cabochon
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Turquoise, Yellow Gold

Large Impressive Yellow Gold Cats Eye Ruby Diamond Amethyst Owl Brooch Pendant
Located in Chicago, IL
the Brooch is further set with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds totaling .32 Carats.
Category

Early 2000s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

1960 s Diamond 18 Karat Two-Tone Yellow White Gold Vintage Cat Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized cat standing with dimensional features With an engraved fur texture and
Category

Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Retro Diamond Emerald 18K Gold Enamel Baby Cheetah Cat Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
A playful & magnificent piece, featuring two small Cheetah cats, playing and looking like twins
Category

Vintage 1980s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel

Van Cleef Arpels 18K Yellow Gold 0.35 Ct Diamond and Sapphire Cat Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
& Arpels 18K Yellow Gold 0.35 ct Diamond and Sapphire Cat Brooch is VCA-signed and numbered. It is offered
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Vintage Yellow Gold, Enamel, Diamond and Cabochon Sapphire Cat Face Pin Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The brooch is made out of 18 karat yellow gold, white enamel, detailed with
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

18k Yellow Gold Vintage Cat Brooch with Diamond and Sapphire for Eyes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Specifications: TYPE:BROOCH STONES: Diamonds and Sapphires for eyes METAL: 18K YELLOW
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Edwardian French Enamel Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Cat Jack-In-The-Box Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooch designed as a jack-in-the-box bursting from its box surprising a cat Box is striped with
Category

Early 20th Century French Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Cultured Pearl Fancy Cat Brooch, 18k .12ctw Feline Pin
Located in Greensboro, NC
: Heating Carats: .06ctw Cut: Round Color: Red Natural Diamond Carats: .06ct Cut: Round Brilliant Color: F
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

1980 s Diamond Emerald Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Vintage Cat Pin Brooch
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Adorable cat pin fashioned in textured 18 karat yellow gold. The cat features diamond, emerald, and
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

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

Oscar Heyman Gold and Platinum Pave Double Cat Brooch
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York City, NY
Oscar Heyman 18kt yellow gold and platinum double cat brooch contains a 189 round diamonds weighing
Category

2010s American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Platinum

Jade Diamond Ruby Emerald 14K Yellow White Gold Vintage Cats on Fence Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as two stylized cats perched on top of a rail fence With hanging twisted rope motif tails
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Gem Set Baroque Pearl Yellow Gold Cat Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gem-set baroque pearl and yellow gold winking cat brooch circa 1970. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: #P5022
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Sapphire Diamond Cat Pendant
Located in San Francisco, CA
18KT Yellow Gold Sapphire and& Diamond Brooch/Pendant. The cats head and tail have a total of
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

18ct Gold 1920’s Cat Brooch Ruby eyes Diamond drop collar cultured pearl at paws
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Cat Brooch 18ct Gold Stamped Circa 1920’s A fabulous, antique, yellow gold kitty
Category

Early 20th Century European Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold

Adorable Gold, Diamond Enamel Pussy Cat
Located in New York, NY
Yellow Gold with Diamond eyes & a hot red Enamel Tongue. The cat's meow!
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

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Diamond Cat Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

Surely you’ll find the exact diamond cat brooch you’re seeking on 1stDibs — we’ve got a vast assortment for sale. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, this item was constructed with great care. You can easily find a 146 antique edition and 10 modern creations to choose from as well. You’re likely to find the perfect diamond cat brooch among the distinctive items we have available, which includes versions made as long ago as the 19th Century as well as those produced as recently as the 21st Century. As it relates to this specific piece, our collection includes designs that are universally popular, but 1 Carat and 1.5 Carat carat weights, specifically, are sought with frequency. Finding an appealing diamond cat brooch — no matter the origin — is easy, but Tiffany Co., Van Cleef Arpels and Jona each produced a popular version that is worth a look. 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 emerald cut and oval cut alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a diamond cat brooch, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Diamond Cat Brooch?

Prices for a diamond cat brooch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $850 and can go as high as $105,000, while this accessory, on average, fetches $3,560.

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.