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Art Nouveau Plique Ajour Enamel Old Mine Diamond Pearl Lady Wings Pendant Brooch
Located in Antwerp, BE
pink and yellow enamelled summer dusk. As a wish upon a star, a pearl embellishes the pair of plique-à
Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Art Nouveau 18 Karat Gold Plique-à-Jour Enamel, Pearl and Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Art Nouveau 18k Gold Plique-a-Jour Enamel, Pearl, and Diamond Brooch Pendant Gorgeous Art Nouveau
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Enamel Natural Pearl Silver Gold Heart Pendant/Brooch
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A Victorian heart pendant/brooch, comprising a central rose cut diamond and natural pearl double
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Enamel Pearl Diamond Pin
Located in Carmel, CA
This lovely Art Nouveau pin features beautiful enamel work as well as diamond and pearl accents
Category

Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

14k Two-Tone Gold Freshwater Pearl Swan Brooch w/ Diamonds Facs Pearl Report
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Gorgeous Freshwater Pearl Swan Brooch Features Natural Freshwater Pearl, Diamonds, Black Enamel
Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow...

Fleur-de-Lis Blue Enamel, Pearls and Old Cut Diamonds Brooch Pin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage French 18k Yellow Gold French hallmarked Blue Enamel, pearls and Old European cut
Category

Antique 19th Century French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Mauboussin Paris Basket of Flower Brooch with Diamond, Topaz, Sapphire, Pearls
By Mauboussin
Located in Miami, FL
This is a charming brooch designed by Mauboussin Paris. It features 1 round stunning diamonds, 1
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches

Materials

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

Ark Design, Bracelet, Diamonds Pearls, Enamel, 18 Karat Gold, Silver
Located in New York, NY
petals are made of pearls and diamonds on 18K gold. There are 1300 diamonds with total weight of 8.66
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, 24k Gold, Silver

Russian Antique Brooch Mandoline or Domra with Enamel, 1910s
Located in Antwerp, BE
draping strap over to the body embellished with a diamond rim and blue enamelled inlay frills. Besides the
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Gold

American Art Deco Enameled Gold Stickpin
Located in New York, NY
naturalistically enameled, her headress set with a pearl, a diamond and tiny gems, marked "14K".
Category

Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

Art Nouveau Diamond and Pearl Pendant with Chain
Located in NY, NY
Exceptional Art Nouveau gold, light sea green Plique-a-Jour Enamel, diamond and seed pearl pendant
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Art Nouveau Chain Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold

Antique Enamel, Sapphire, Natural Pearl and Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Istanbul, TR
This 15k gold Brooch is with Natural sea pearls , sapphire , enamel and diamond. Center Diamond is
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Enamel

Leo de Vroomen 18K Yellow Gold, Guilloché Enamel, Diamond Pearl Brooch
By Leo de Vroomen
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Leo de Vroomen 18K Yellow Gold, Guilloché Enamel, Diamond & Pearl Brooch (2”) A striking circular
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Pearl, Diamond and Enamel Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A Moira design articulated flower brooch, set with a pearl bud at the top measuring an estimated
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Enamel

Enamel, Pearl Diamond Fish Brooch
Located in London, GB
An enamel, pearl and diamond, fish on a pond brooch, set with two pink plique a jour enamel fish
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold

Enamel Pearl Diamond Acorn Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
Moira acorn brooch, three yellow to orange enamel leaves set with round brilliant cut diamonds
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Masriera Diamond Enamel Pearl Brooch
By Masriera
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A classic Masriera brooch of a nymph with diamond enamel wings. A pearl dangles from its tail. Made
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold

Enamel pearl diamond gold butterfly brooch
By Moira Fine Jewellery
Located in London, GB
A light blue guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with 1.41ct of round brilliant-cut diamonds with
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold

Enamel Pearl Sapphire Diamond Pendant Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
An enamel, sapphire, diamond and pearl pendant brooch, central floral motif set with pink and green
Category

1990s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, Silver

Boucheron Penguin Enamel Pearl Diamond Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in New Orleans, LA
A large, lustrous white baroque mabe pearl serves as the belly of this charming penguin brooch by
Category

20th Century English Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Blue Enamel Diamonds Pearls Cognac Citrine Brooch, 1900
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
A heart shaped Citrine stone is surrounded by a ribbon shaped blue Enamel underlined with Pearl
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Enamel

Mississippi Pearl Enamel Diamond Gold Floral Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
Mississippi pearl, diamond and enamel floral brooch, three rose cut diamond set anthers
Category

Early 2000s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

Red Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A red guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with 0.95ct of round brilliant-cut diamonds with a
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Pink Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A pink guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with 1.41ct of round brilliant-cut diamonds and a
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique Diamond Enamel Pearl Star Brooch Pendant
Located in Chicago, IL
guilloche enamel, and are bordered with pearls. The center cushion cut diamond is approximately 0.40 ct
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl

Enamel Pearl Emerald Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A cream and dark blue guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with 0.34ct of round brilliant-cut
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold

Art Nouveau Pearl Diamond and Enamel Brooch Pendant
Located in London, GB
pearl at the centre which is framed by a circulating array of rose cut diamonds. Triangular calibre cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Kieselstein Cord Citrine Pearl Diamond Enamel Gold Brooch Pin
By KIESELSTEIN-CORD
Located in New York, NY
pearls, each with 1 diamond on the top, and green enamel. Brooch measures 2 3/8" in diameter. Marked
Category

1990s American Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Enamel

Enamel Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A cream guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with a ruby and cultured pearl body, diamond detail
Category

Early 2000s British Brooches

Materials

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

14k Diamond and Pearl Pansy Flower Enamel Brooch
Located in Kingston, NY
14k diamond and pearl pansy flower enamel brooch on chain, 4.5 dwts Chain: 9" Brooch: 1 1/4" x 1 1
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Enamel

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

1880s French Diamond and Pearl Enamel Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
pearl and very well color matched, very high color graded old cut diamonds. The brooch is a very good
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Fantastic Blue Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Flower Brooch
Located in Miami Beach, FL
enamel flower with a cultured pearl and diamond mounted in 18k yellow gold.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Cultured Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold

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

Guilloche Enamel Sapphire Pearl Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A lime green guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with a pink sapphire and pearl body and diamond
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Gold

Blue Enamel Diamond Pearl and Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
An enamel butterfly brooch, with dark blue basse-taille enamel wings, set with 0.48ct of round
Category

21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold

1910s Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Platinum Rooster Brooch
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Magnificent Antique Rooster Brooch made of platinum. Consists approximately 2.50ctw of diamonds
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Mellerio 19th Century Gold, Pearl, Diamond and Black Enamel Brooch/Pendant
By Mellerio
Located in New York, NY
An antique gold brooch/pendant in the form of a pavé pearl planet bisected with an arrow in a black
Category

Antique 1870s Spanish Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel

Mid Victorian Enamel Diamond and Half Pearl Brooch/Pendant, circa 1860
Located in Firenze, IT
The domed turquoise enamel plaque with old cut diamond star-shaped motif, framed half pearl. Size
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Enamel

Tiffany Co. Jean Schlumberger Gold, Diamond, Ruby, Pearl, Enamel Camel Brooch
By Jean Schlumberger
Located in New York, NY
, embellished with ruby, pearl, and diamonds, and blue enamel. The master craftsmanship is captured in the
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel

Louis Aucoc Art Nouveau Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A French Art Nouveau 18 karat gold and enamel brooch with pearl and diamond by Louis Aucoc. The
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Diamond Natural Pearl and Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.21 carat diamond, natural pearl and hot enamel, 18 karat
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Holbeinesque Gold and Enamel Brooch with Pearls, Turquoise, and Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
multicolored enamel and turquoise and diamonds, within an outer frame of half pearls and red, blue, and green
Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Renaissance Revival Brooches

Materials

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

Riker Brothers Diamond Enamel Pearl 14 Karat Gold Basilisk Dragon Brooch
By Riker Brothers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
by bright green and blue enamel, exhibiting no loss Featuring old European cut diamond clutched in
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, E...

Nouveau Natural River Pearl Enamel Mine Cut Diamond Foliate Motif Brooch
Located in Boston, MA
river pearl, gracefully surrounded by delicate enamel leaves in soft green and pink hues. Accentuating
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Cartier, Platinum 18K Gold Ruby Pearl Enamel Diamond Jabot Brooch, IAJA, GIA
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
, sparkling brilliantly when worn. The diamonds and pearls accentuate its luxurious and elegant appeal, while
Category

Vintage 1920s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum, Enamel

Renaissance Revival Pearl and Enamel Brooch
Located in New Orleans, LA
" brooch is modeled after the archetypal "Chariot of Venus" motif, depicting the goddess of love drawn by
Category

Antique 19th Century European Holbeinesque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Fire Opal, Yellow Gold, Si...

Pink and Blue Enamel Pearl Emerald Diamond Gold Butterfly Brooch
By Moira
Located in London, GB
A pink and blue guilloche enamel butterfly brooch set with 0.34ct of round brilliant-cut diamonds
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold

Green Enamel Pearl Diamond Gold Fly Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
Fly shaped brooch hand made in Italy of 18k yellow and white gold. Green enamel wings, ruby eyes
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Brooches

Krementz Art Nouveau Enamel and Pearl Swan Brooch
Located in London, GB
grams Brooch Dimensions: 27mm x 22mm x 9mm Pearl: 13mm x 6mm x 3.5mm Diamond: 0.03 carats Tested as
Category

Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

1860 s Victorian Enamel Diamond Pearl 14 Karat Gold Masquerade Mask Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as an oval domed brooch glossed with opaque enamel - exhibiting no loss Depicting a
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Art Nouveau Diamond Pearl Enamel 14 Karat Gold Pansy Antique Pendant Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pendant brooch is designed as a pansy flower with delicately painted matte enamel petals Opaque
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 15K Yellow Gold Diamond, Pearl and Green Enamel Floral Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond, pearl, enamel, and yellow gold brooch, the leaf set with one old European cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Victorian Diamond Ruby Pearl Basse-Taille Enamel 18 Karat Gold Snake Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized swirling snake with basse-taille enamel body Transparent medium green and
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Enamel

Antique Gold, Enamel, Diamond and Seed Pearl Pendant-Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This unique antique gold, enamel, diamond and seed pearl pendant-brooch, c. 1890, is accented with
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

Art Nouveau Enamel Pearl Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Two-Tone Gold Ivy Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
pastel and iridescent enamel; exhibiting no loss With a bushel of 4.0 mm semi-round pearls, well-matched
Category

Antique Early 1900s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, En...

Golden South Sea Pearl Diamonds Enamel 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tucano Brooch
By Mousson Atelier
Located in Bangkok, TH
, Diamonds, Multicolor Enamel, Sapphires 18 Karat Yellow Gold Tucano Brooch. 42x63.7x13 mm 34.34 gm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, Opal, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow S...

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Enamel Diamond Pearl Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the enamel diamond pearl brooch you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using gold, 18k gold and enamel. You can easily find a 220 antique edition and 26 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect enamel diamond pearl brooch may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 18th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. There have been many well-made iterations of the classic enamel diamond pearl brooch over the years, but those made by Moira, Masriera and Elizabeth Gage are often thought to be among the most beautiful. A round cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also rose cut and old european cut versions for sale. When shopping for an enamel diamond pearl brooch, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Enamel Diamond Pearl Brooch?

Prices for an enamel diamond pearl brooch can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $295 and can go as high as $284,130, while this accessory, on average, fetches $4,523.

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.