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Bold Mid-Century 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Knot Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This striking 18K yellow gold brooch features an intricate woven knot design, lavishly set with
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

David Webb Large Yellow Gold and Gem set Flower Clip Brooch
By David Webb
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s David Webb 18k Yellow Gold Flower Clip Brooch, measuring 3 1/4 inches in length with
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Diamond Bee Brooch Yellow Gold Ruby Eyes ~0.5ctw
Located in Fairfield, CT
Vintage 18K Diamond Bee Brooch Yellow Gold Ruby Eyes ~0.5ctw This vintage bee brooch is made in
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

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

Rare Large Seventies Seaman Schepps Brooch Mounted with Gold and Sapphire
By Patricia Schepps Vaill for Seaman Schepps
Located in Litchfield, CT
seventies Seaman Schepps brooch is as Palm Beach as spending the summer in Nantucket. The gold sea wreck is
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold

Boucheron Vintage Diamond Multi Gemstone 18K Gold Bouquet Brooch
By BUCHERON
Located in Miami, FL
Boucheron 1970s Floral Gemstone Brooch – 18K Yellow Gold, Citrine, Amethyst, Ruby & Diamond A
Category

1990s European Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold

18 Karat Flower Diamond Brooch Pin
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18K Flower Diamond Brooch Pin. This stunning eight-petal flower brooch is adorned with richly
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold

AMERICAN FLAG Brooch In 14Kt White Gold With 3.11 Ctw In Diamonds And Gemstones
Located in Miami, FL
States back in the 1970's. This patriotic brooch, has been carefully crafted in the shape of the United
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold,...

Italian 18K Gold Bee Brooch with Baroque Pearl, Diamonds (0.28 Ct) and Ruby Eyes
Located in Miami, FL
A delightful Italian figural bee brooch, exquisitely crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and brought to
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Vintage Original Circa 1970s 18k Gold Natural Diamond Leaf Brooche
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 14.1 grams. Totally is diamond 0.55 ct. The diamond is has
Category

Vintage 1970s European Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

18k VINTAGE BROOCH yellow gold and Aquamarines
Located in Braintree, GB
-carat Diamonds. Made in Circa 1970's X-Ray tested positive for 18kt gold. The dimensions - Length
Category

Vintage 1970s European Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Yellow Gold

Vintage Diamond Turquoise 18K Gold Grape Vine Motif Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage circa 1970S  Turquies brooch pin, inspired by the graceful grapevine motif, expertly
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold

English Ruby Sapphire Turquoise Diamond Yellow Gold Bird Brooch, 1971
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
and 0.02 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold bird brooch; part of our diverse vintage jewelry
Category

20th Century English Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

J.E. Caldwell 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Amethyst Movable Grapevine Brooch
Located in Lexington, KY
This stunning diamond and amethyst grapevine & grape brooch was made by J.E. Caldwell in the 1970s
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

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

Estate Vintage 18K Platinum Diamond Emerald Tulip Brooch
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A beautifully made vintage brooch circa the 1960’s done in rich 18K yellow gold and platinum. It
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

1970s Tiffany Co 1.00ct Ruby 0.25ct Diamond Gold Pin
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
This is an elegant 18k yellow gold pin by Tiffany & Co from the 1970s. The pin is set with round
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

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

David Webb Bird Brooch with Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Diamonds
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Peacock Emerald, Sapphire Ruby Diamond Brooch A dazzling creation by the legendary
Category

20th Century American Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Enamel, Rose, White and Yellow Gold Goose Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1970's enamel, 9 carat rose, white and yellow gold bird brooch in the form of
Category

Vintage 1970s English Brooches

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Tiffany Co. Certified Multi Color Diamond Flower Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co Certified Multi color Diamond Flower Brooch, Circa 1940, set with fancy colored
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Palladium

Vintage 14K Lion Brooch in Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire Diamond 1.34ctw
Located in Miami, FL
Powerful and symbolic, this exceptional vintage 14K yellow gold lion brooch is a statement of
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

A lovely little fox brooch hand crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with carved
Located in Winter Springs, FL
A lovely little fox brooch hand crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with carved carnelian and gray
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

Agate, Carnelian, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

David Webb Black Enamel 18K Yellow Gold Panther With Diamond Collar Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb Black Enamel Panthere With A Diamond Collar 18K Yellow Gold 1970's Brooch. Designed as a
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel

18k Yellow Gold Vintage Jade and Sapphire Flower Brooch
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Crafted in the 1970s, this large 106 x 55 mm pin features a hand-carved jade flower, sourced from
Category

2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Jade, Sapphire, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Whimsical Yellow Gold Enamel and Gem Set Monkey Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Very Whimsical 18K Yellow Gold Monkey Brooch, measuring 2 1/4 inches in length X 1 3/8
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Herbert Rosenthal Coral Diamond Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in San Francisco, CA
This 18k gold bee brooch, by Rosenthal - one of the best of the 1970's - is a hard-to-find coral
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Textured Bird Brooch with Sapphire Cabochon Eye
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This whimsical 18 karat yellow gold brooch is artfully designed in the form of a charming bird
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Brooches

Materials

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

David Webb 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Taurus Bull Brooch Pendant
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Introducing a bold and colorful pin/pendant crafted by David Webb in the 1970s, this stunning piece
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Gemstone Basket Brooch - 13.6g
Located in Providence, RI
This whimsical 14k gold brooch is designed as a textured flower basket bursting with vibrant
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Asch Grossbardt Diamond Amethyst Mother-Of-Pearl 14 Karat Gold Inlay Fish Brooch
By Asch Grossbardt
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stamped for 14 karat gold With maker's mark for Asch Grossbardt Circa: 1970's Measures: 7/8 x 1 inch Total
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Carnelian, Diamond, Malachite, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, ...

21.88 Carat Pear Cut Amethyst Diamond Sapphire Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
as 18k gold. The brooch is supplied with two independent diamond grading report cards. Condition
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Vintage 18K Diamond Ruby Enamel En Tremblant Turtle Brooch Pin
Located in Winter Springs, FL
brooch has been set with approximately .06cttw in G-H Vs diamonds as well as a centerl natural ruby. The
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Enamel

Verdura Platinum, Gold, Baroque Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Emerald and Enamel Swan
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
Verdura Swan Brooch mounted in Diamond, Emerald, and Gold, Baroque Cultured Pearl, and Enamel
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Estate 14k Swirl Ribbon Baguette Round Diamond Brooch Pin 6.40cttw G Vs1
Located in Winter Springs, FL
quality diamonds. Between large tapered baguette and round diamonds, there is approximately 6.40cttw and
Category

Vintage 1970s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold

7.80 Carat Natural Brazilian Color-Changing Alexandrite Brooch set in 18K Gold
Located in Tokyo, JP
A gorgeous brooch featuring 7.80 Carats, Natural Alexandrite and 4.57 Carats of Diamond Accents set
Category

20th Century Japanese Modern Brooches

Materials

Alexandrite, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Magnificent Gilbert Albert Brooch
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Litchfield, CT
brooch is a miniature abstract sculpture set with baroque pearls and a single brilliant white diamond (H
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Elegant 18 K White Gold Brooch Diamond Akoya Pearls circa 1970 by Meister Zurich
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
Very elegant 1970s 18 K white Gold brooch set with 7 fine cultured Akoya pearls and 33 brilliant
Category

Vintage 1970s Swiss Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

French Vintage Brooch Pin Clip 18k Gold Emerald Estate Jewelry Signed J W
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A joyful, bright vintage gold clip brooch from our French brooches collection. You can see it as an
Category

Vintage 1970s French Brooches

Materials

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

Estate Italian Designer Diamond Emerald Red Black Enamel Panther Brooch
Located in Derby, NY
/Yellow Gold Metal Weight : 23 grams Brand : Frederique Constant Period : 1970's Measurement : 65mm x 21mm
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel

David Webb Horse Brooch, Kingdom Collection
By David Webb
Located in Bethesda, MD
From David Webb's iconic Kingdom Collection, a horse head brooch. Meticulously crafted in 18 karat
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Mario Buccellati Emerald Leaf Brooch
By Mario Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Created in the 1970s, this Mario Buccellati emerald and diamond leaf brooch is set in 18K gold and
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Rudy and Diamond Bee
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bethesda, MD
This exquisite bee brooch from legendary designer Herbert Rosenthal features 18 karat yellow gold
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Diamond

Cipullo for Cartier Fish Brooch
By Aldo Cipullo for Cartier
Located in San Antonio, TX
emerald in 18k yellow gold attributed to Aldo Cipullo for Cartier. Circa 1970's
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

David Webb Kingdom White Enamel Panther With Diamond Collar Vintage Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
, diamonds, and emerald eyes. Circa 1970s. Length: 3 inches
Category

20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel

Herbert Rosenthal Sapphire and Diamond Bee Pin
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bethesda, MD
This exquisite bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal showcases masterful craftsmanship in 18 karat gold
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Las Vegas Showgirl Gemstone Pendant 10k Yellow Gold Brooch Fine Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish and finely detailed Las Vegas Showgirl pendant crafted in 10 karat yellow gold (circa 1970s
Category

Late 20th Century Thai Modern Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Citrine, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold

Rene Boivin 18k Gold Retro Double Clip Pin Brooch Vintage Jewelry
By René Boivin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
karat gold setting makes the stones pop. Graduated diamonds elevate the look of the piece to the highest
Category

Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage 18K Gold Pendant with Citrine, Opals, Pearls Diamonds, Signed CASBAH
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking and opulent vintage pendant, finely crafted in 18K yellow gold and signed CASBAH. This
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lu Chinese God of Wealth Carved Coral Sapphire Ruby Diamond Gold Pendant Pin
Located in New York, NY
Wealth . The brooch is crafted in 18k yellow gold and accented with marquise-cut rubies weighing an
Category

Vintage 1970s British Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18K Yellow Gold and Silver Plique-à-Jour Enamel Insect Pin
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A bold and colorful vintage pin crafted in 18K yellow gold, showcasing a vibrant arrangement of 8
Category

Vintage 1970s Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

David Webb White Enamel Tiger Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Designed by David Webb in 1965, this 18K gold and white enamel tiger brooch is set with diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel

Mid Century Coral Turquoise Brooch Pendant by Tiffany Co.
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
brooch are 26 round brilliant cut diamonds which are each of G/H colour and SI-I1 clarity totalling 1.82
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modernist Brooches

Materials

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

MaryMcFadden 1970 TheMetCollected JewelrySeries Gilt Openwork Sculptural Brooch
By Mary McFadden
Located in Chicago, IL
photo) in the same abstract organic pattern as this signed yellow-gold-gilt brass brooch with her
Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Gold, Gilt Metal, Brass

White gold brooch by E. Maier Amsterdam, 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
White gold brooch by E. Maier Amsterdam, 1970s A Dutch elegant white gold brooch with a floral
Category

20th Century Dutch Collectible Jewelry

Materials

Gold

Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold Platinum 1970s Ruby and Diamond Flower Brooch/Pendant
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Flower Brooch 18ct Gold & Platinum Circa 1970s THE CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY. This
Category

Late 20th Century European Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

1970s Lapis Emerald Opal Diamond Yellow Gold Pendant Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970s Lapis Emerald Opal and diamond 14k yellow gold pendant brooch. The 1970s Lapis Emerald Opal
Category

Vintage 1970s Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

1970S Coral Diamond 18K Gold Large Floral Brooch Pin and Pendant
Located in Miami, FL
This stunning 18K Yellow Gold brooch pendant is a show-stopping floral brooch. It features oval
Category

Vintage 1970s American Retro Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold

18K Gold Diamond and Sapphire Earrings and Convertible Floral Brooch-Pendant Set
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
Striking floral earrings and brooch-pendant set crafted in 18K yellow and white gold, featuring
Category

Vintage 1970s Clip-on Earrings

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Andrew Grima Amethyst, Diamond and Gold Brooch/Pendant Necklace
By Andrew Grima
Located in New York, NY
A square cut amethyst, pavé-set diamond, and 18 karat white gold pendant, on an 18 karat white gold
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

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Gold And Diamond Brooch 1970s For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of gold and diamond brooch 1970s for sale on 1stDibs. These distinct designs — crafted with great care and often made from Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold — can elevate any look. Find a collection of 420 vintage versions or 1 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our inventory has long been popular, and it includes earlier versions that date to the 20th Century and newer variations that were made as recently as the 21st Century. The designs in our inventory of gold and diamond brooch 1970s bearing Retro or Modern hallmarks are very popular. Tiffany Co., David Webb and Van Cleef Arpels each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. A selection of round cut, brilliant cut and cabochon can be found today on these pages. When shopping our range of gold and diamond brooch 1970s, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Gold And Diamond Brooch 1970s?

On average, gold and diamond brooch 1970s at 1stDibs sell for $4,980, while they’re typically $550 on the low end and $375,000 for the highest priced versions of this item.

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.