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Victorian Pearl and Diamond Horseshoe Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Victorian Pearl and Diamond Horseshoe Brooch Horseshoe pin set with 9 pearls and 8 antique
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver

1900s Diamond, Cultured Pearl and Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
antique pearl and diamond pin brooch has been independently tested using state of the art technology
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian brooch with pearls and old mine cut diamonds 14k gold and silver
Located in The Hague, ZH
Victorian 14k gold and silver brooch set with pearls and old mine-cut diamonds up to 1.20 ct - G/H
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver

Retro Diamond and Pearl Cascading Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Retro Diamond and Pearl Cascading Brooch A dazzling Retro-era brooch in platinum, featuring an
Category

20th Century Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Pearl, Diamond and Enamel Brooch
Located in London, GB
This is a Victorian 15ct gold pearl and diamond double heart brooch. The brooch features a rose cut
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver, Enamel

Antique Gold and Pearl Horseshoe Brooch with Diamond-Set Nail and Pendant Loop
Located in New York, NY
An Edwardian brooch in the form of a pearl-studded horseshoe pierced by a pavé diamond spike, with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum

Antique Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold and Silver Set Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique pearl and 0.75 carat diamond, 9 karat yellow gold and silver set bar brooch
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Diamond and Seed Pearl White Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 0.63 carat diamond and seed pearl, 18 karat white gold bar brooch; part of
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Designer hand made 18 carat gold pin/brooch with diamond and pearl
Located in MELBOURNE, VIC
Very unique designer hand made 18 carat yellow and white gold pin/brooch. Set with one round
Category

Vintage 1980s Australian Artist Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

18K White Gold Diamond and South Sea Pearl Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A bold and luminous vintage brooch from the 1970s, crafted in 18K white gold and featuring a large
Category

Vintage 1970s Brooches

Materials

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

Platinum and 18kt yellow gold natural pearl and diamond brooch
Located in Braintree, GB
A charming early 20th century brooch, crafted in platinum and 18kt yellow gold, set with rose- and
Category

Early 20th Century European Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

18K Yellow Gold Snail Brooch with Diamonds and Pearl
Located in Hicksville, NY
Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 10.2 grams Diamond
Category

Antique Early 1900s Brooches

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond Pearl Gold Crown Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1890s This Belle Epoque openwork gold brooch is finely modeled as a royal crown embellished
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

Vintage 1960s David Webb Gold and Pearl Sun Brooch with Diamond Hearts
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow and white gold with a Pearl center stone and hearts with pave-set
Category

Vintage 1960s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

1920s Diamond and Pearl 15K Yellow Gold Bow Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.21 carat diamond and pearl, 15 karat yellow gold, platinum set bow
Category

Vintage 1920s Unknown Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Sapphire Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.18 carat sapphire and seed pearl, 0.08 carat diamond and
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Buccellati Pearl Diamond Silver Gold Brooch
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Magnificent Buccellati 18t patinated Yellow Gold Silver Brooch with a Large Pearl with Rose
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Romantic Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, White Gold

Yellow Gold Diamond Pearl Flower Brooch
Located in Palm Desert, CA
18 Karat Yellow and White Gold Diamond Pearl Flower Brooch. The brooch features an 11.5mm South Sea
Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Tiger Brooch with Diamond Collar and Cultured Pearl "Ball" in 18 Karat Gold
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
carats Diamond Color: H - I Diamond Clarity: VS1 - VS2 Pearl Count: 1 Pearl Color: Gray Brooch Weight
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Gold Antique Brooch / Corsage Front with Silver, Diamonds, Fine Pearls and Ename
Located in PARIS, FR
brooch is dressed with fine pearls pierced with gold wire, black enamel and small diamonds in a closed
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Natural Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold and Silver Set Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 0.90 carat diamond and natural pearl, 15 karat yellow gold and
Category

Antique 1860s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage Pearl Wreath and Diamond Bow White Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive vintage pearl and 0.82 carat diamond, 14 karat white gold wreath brooch; part
Category

Vintage 1950s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold

Antique Diamond Pearl and Black Onyx Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
reverse with a hinged pin and safety clasp fastening. This Victorian onyx brooch with diamonds and pearls
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Revival Seed Pearl and Diamond Antique Gold Brooch
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Victorian Revival Seed Pearl and Diamond Brooch Pin. Hand set with Seed pearls
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

18K Yellow Gold Drummer Brooch with Gemstones and Pearls
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This playful vintage brooch, crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, features a charming drummer figure
Category

Vintage 1950s Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Aquamarine and Diamond Pearl and 14k Rose Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.52 carat aquamarine, 0.16 carat diamond and pearl, 14 karat rose gold and
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Rose Gold

18k White Gold Pearl Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Hong Kong, HK
down. The brooch is about 6.5cm x 2.5cm. This brooch is 18k white gold set with 5 pearls average 10mm
Category

2010s Hong Kong Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

Antique French Seed Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique French seed pearl and 0.25 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold brooch; part
Category

Antique 1890s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Natural Pearl and Diamond Brooch in Yellow Gold and Platinum
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique natural pearl and 3.10 carat diamond, 15k yellow gold and
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Diamond Pearl Ruby and Yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive 1.30 carat diamond and pearl, 0.02 carat ruby and 9 karat yellow gold, silver set
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Gold brooch with a pearl and "old" brilliant-cut diamonds, approx. 0.60 ct.
Located in Chorzów, PL
Classic oblong brooch with pearl and diamonds Origin: Western Europe, first half of the 20th
Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold

Van Cleef and Arpels Pearl and Diamond Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef and Arpels Pearl and Diamond Brooch A large size floral motif brooch featuring white
Category

Early 2000s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

14k Gold Flower Brooch with Pearls Diamonds
Located in Montreal, QC
14k yellow gold flower brooch with 8 diamonds of .02ct each, 6 pearls of 3mm each and 1 central
Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

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

1910s Pearl Diamond Peridot and Ruby Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
designs. The diamonds are platinum set. This fine pearl and gold brooch secures to the reverse with a
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Peridot, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian brooch with pearl and rose cut diamonds 18k gold and silver 4.2 grams
Located in The Hague, ZH
18k gold with silver brooch set with a pearl and rose cut diamonds up to 0.10ct- - G/H - SI
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian 1.06 Carat Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, fine and impressive antique pearl and diamond Victorian brooch has been crafted in 15k yellow gold with
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver

French Victorian Diamond and Pearl Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
diamonds and pearls. It measures 2.13 inches long by 1.13 inches wide. The gross weight is 8.1 grams. The
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Vintage pearl diamond 18k white gold brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
gold, the brooch carries a luxurious weight and a luminous sheen that enhances the diamonds’ sparkle
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Gold Diamond Ruby Pearl Pendant/Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Pendant/Brooch in 14kt yellow and white gold composed of a central pearl surrounded by a crown of
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Sapphire Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold Insect Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
, seed pearl and 15 karat yellow gold brooch in the form of a winged insect; part of our antique jewelry
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Tremblant Gold Natural Pearl And Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
up this brooch are rose- cut diamonds and a natural pearl. In addition, the flower part of the
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

18K Yellow Gold Pearl Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
vintage old-cut round diamonds totaling approximately 6.00 carats. The brooch’s intricate design
Category

20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Platinum

Edwardian Amythest, Diamond and Pearl Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Lovely Delicate Edwardian Amythest, Diamond and Pearl Brooch from the early 1900's. Unsigned but
Category

Antique Early 1900s American Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Platinum

Victorian, GIA Natural Pearl and Diamond Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
This rare Victorian brooch boasts a beautiful GIA graded natural pearl measuring 10.36 x 9.38 mm
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Diamond Coral and Pearl Yellow Gold Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.66 carat diamond, coral and pearl 15 karat yellow gold
Category

Antique 1860s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian Seed Pearl and 1.39 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian seed pearl and 1.39 carat diamond, 9 karat yellow gold and silver
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Victorian brooch with pearls and rose cut diamonds up to 0.20ct 14k gold
Located in The Hague, ZH
Victorian 14k yellow gold branch brooch with stone pearls and rose diamond up to 0.20 ct - G/H - SI
Category

Antique 1880s Dutch Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold

1910s Antique Pearl Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive pearl and 0.55 carat ruby, 0.30 carat diamond and 12 karat yellow gold brooch; part
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum

Victorian Porcelain Diamond Seed Pearl Gold Brooch and Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
yellow gold brooch has alternating round cut diamonds and seed pearls. This brooch also features a hidden
Category

Antique 1830s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Fireworks Pearl and Diamond Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York, NY
cultured white pearl, 18K gold, and platinum. The brooch is designed as an exploding firework trailing over
Category

Late 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

1930s Natural Pearl and 1.75ct Diamond and 17ct White Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique natural pearl and 1.75 carat diamond, 17 karat white gold
Category

Vintage 1930s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, White Gold

Antique Edwardian 15K Yellow Gold and Platinum Diamond and Pearl Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique pearl, diamond, platinum, and yellow gold brooch, comprising two seed pearls, one old
Category

Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

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

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

Cellini 18K White Gold Baroque Pearl Ski Bunny Brooch with Diamonds and Rubies
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
This adorable 18 karat white gold brooch is whimsically designed as a bunny. A 17mm baroque pearl
Category

Early 2000s Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Edwardian Enamel, Pearl and Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
the back. Modelled in 9 Carat gold and set with pearls and diamonds. Diamond halo totals 40pts and the
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Enamel

18K White Gold Diamond, Multicolor Sapphire and Pearl Brooch and Pendant
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold Diamond, Multicolor Sapphire and Pearl Brooch and Pendant Condition: In good
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold

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Gold Brooch With Pearls And Diamonds For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a broad range of gold brooch with pearls and diamonds for sale on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Our selection of items includes 119 vintage examples as well as 29 contemporary versions. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 18th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. Our collection of gold brooch with pearls and diamonds includes designs that are universally popular, but Contemporary and Victorian styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. Many examples in our inventory of these items are appealing no matter their origins, but Cellini, Robert Guyon and David Webb produced popular versions that are worth a look. There are many round cut, brilliant cut and rose cut gold brooch with pearls and diamonds for sale. When shopping our range of gold brooch with pearls and diamonds, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Gold Brooch With Pearls And Diamonds?

Prices for gold brooch with pearls and diamonds start at $232 and top out at $86,500 with these brooches, on average, selling for $4,065.

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.