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Antique Victorian Diamond Sapphire Ruby Pearl circa 1900 Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Lancaster , GB
This delightful antique gemstone Dragonfly brooch was beautifully made during the Victorian era
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Natural Pearl Diamond Gold Dragonfly Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum on 18 karat yellow gold antique dragonfly pin consisting of 5.96 carats total weight of
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Dragonfly Pin, 14 Karat Yellow Gold
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Dragonfly Pin, 14k Yellow Gold. The pin has diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Diamonds: FGH in color
Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War Brooches

Materials

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

Demantoid Garnet Diamond Gold Dragonfly Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Sterling silver on 18 karat yellow gold vintage style dragonfly pin set with Old European cut
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Art Nouveau, Sapphire, Diamond and Plique-a-Jour Enamel Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
AN ART-NOUVEAU RUBY, SAPPHIRE, DIAMOND AND PLIQUE-A-JOUR ENAMEL DRAGONFLY BROOCH in 18ct yellow
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ruby Diamond Dragonfly Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum and 18 karat yellow gold estate dragonfly pin consisitng of approximately 6.00 carats of
Category

20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Plique-a-jour Dragonfly Pin
By Shreve, Crump Low
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat yellow gold dragonfly pin consisting of plique-a-jour wings set with old mine cut diamond
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Style Plique-a-jour Cut Diamond gold Dragonfly Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
18 karat yellow gold antique style en tremblant dragonfly pin with green and blue plique-a-jour
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Green Sapphire, 18k Gold

18 Karat Pink Yellow gold Dragonfly with Multicolored Sapphires Tourmalines
By Gemlok by Gemveto
Located in New York, NY
This Dragonfly brooch is a one off creation with spectacular detail. The combination of 7 cabochon
Category

2010s American Modern Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline,...

Antique Plique-a-Jour Dragonfly Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Sterling silver on 18 karat yellow gold antique dragonfly pin with blue - green plique-a-jour wings
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Onyx, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Dragonfly Natural Pearl Diamond Pin
Located in Chestnut Hill, MA
Platinum on 18 karat yellow gold antique dragonfly pin consisting of 5.96 carats total weight of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum

18 Karat Yellow Gold and Silver with Rubies, Emeralds and Diamonds Dragonfly
Located in SEVILLA, ES
Vintage Dragonfly in 18K Yellow Gold and Silver with two Rubies, a 0.90 carat oval Emerald several
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Sorab Roshi Dragonfly Pin With Aqua Diamond
By Sorab Roshi
Located in Greenwich, CT
18 karat white gold hand-carved rock crystal dragonfly Pin with diamonds , pearl and aqua. D= 1.78
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, 18k Gold

Diamond Emerald 18k Gold Platinum FROG AND DRAGONFLY Pin by John Landrum Bryant
By H.H. Prince John Landrum Bryant
Located in New York, NY
18k. Gold, Platinum, Diamonds and Emeralds. It comes in a unique custom made box designed by Prince
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold

Tiffany Co. Dragonfly Pin with Diamonds and Pearls Set in 18 Karat White Gold
By Tiffany Co.
Located in Atlanta, GA
The beauty of Tiffany & Co. jewelry is evident in this 18 karat white gold dragonfly pin. Two
Category

Vintage 1960s American Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold

Masriera 18k Yellow Gold Sapphire Dragonfly Pendant Brooch
By Masriera
Located in Redlands, CA
Masriera 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire Dragonfly Brooch/Pendant with Plique-à-Jour” and “Basse Taille
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

Handmade 18ct Yellow Gold Dragonfly Lady Pendant/Brooch
Located in Brisbane, QLD
Handmade 18ct yellow gold Brooch/pendant dragon fly lady with pink and green sapphires and diamonds
Category

2010s Australian Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Paul Amey Dragonfly Pendant-Brooch in Sterling Silver with Diamonds and Garnets
By Paul Amey
Located in Tewantin, Queensland
The Dragonfly Pendant-Brooch is a totally unique and completely handcrafted and created by Paul
Category

2010s Australian Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Van Cleef Arpels Diamond Gold Dragonfly Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in New York, NY
18k white gold dragonfly brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, with approx. 2.55ctw in diamonds. Brooch
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold

Diamond and Multicolor Stone White Gold Dragonfly Brooch and Pendant
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
A vibrant colorful diamond and multicolor stone 18k white and yellow gold dragonfly brooch and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold

Italian Plique-A-Jour Enamel Diamond 18k Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in New York City, NY
Diamond 18k Gold Dragonfly Brooch is sure to captivate hearts and turn heads wherever you go. Hallmarks
Category

Vintage 1970s European Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique Opal Pearl Peridot Yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch, circa 1895
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
by a plain an unembellished 15k yellow gold border. The antique dragonfly brooch secures to the
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Yellow Gold

Italian Enamel Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A soaring Italian dragonfly with green and gold enamel. This 18K yellow gold dragonfly demonstrates
Category

2010s Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gem-Set Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A fine large gem-set dragonfly brooch, the body set with two old cut diamonds, the head set with a
Category

2010s British Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Antique Russian Emerald and Diamond Yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
cut diamonds. The gold and gemstone dragonfly brooch secures to the reverse with a hinged pin and
Category

Vintage 1910s Russian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Jade Diamond Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Aspen, CO
18 bright green marquis and oval cut jade (approximately 30 cts.) are prong set along with 10 round brilliant cut diamonds, well matched, white (H) and very slightly included (VS) we...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
yellow gold dragonfly brooch; part of our antique jewelry and collections. This stunning, large antique
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

14 Karat Yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch/Pin
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Jade Dragonfly Brooch/Pin This lovely 3D brooch features a
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Yellow Gold

Tiffany Co. Enamel Ruby Gold Dragonfly Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in New York City, NY
Rare and unusual 18K yellow gold, ruby and enamel brooch by Tiffany & Co. circa 1970s. It's in the
Category

Vintage 1970s American Brooches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold

Antique Sapphire Diamond Silver Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A European Antique 18 kt gold and oxidized silver dragonfly brooch with diamonds and sapphires. The
Category

Antique 1880s Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Art Nouveau Gem Set Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 yellow Gold Dragon Fly Brooch, very nicely detailed and centrally set with a Natural
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Garnet, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold

Victorian Diamond and Sapphire Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
The dragonfly is crafted in 14 karat rose gold and silver featuring an old european cut diamond on
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Victorian Brooches

Buccellati 1960s Diamond Ruby and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Mid-20th Century 18 karat white and yellow gold brooch with rubies and diamonds by
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Emeralds, Diamonds, 18 Karat White Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
covered by the seller (customs duties included). Fantastic dragonfly brooch in 18 karat white gold
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold

Victorian Ruby Sapphire Diamond Silver Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
gold and silver Victorian dragonfly brooch circa 1890.
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver

1990s Diamond Ruby Platinum White Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This stunning articulated dragonfly brooch is crafted in fine platinum and set with full-cut and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum

Modern Emerald, Diamond, Sapphire, and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A modern gem set dragonfly brooch, with trembling wings, with an oval cabochon emerald, set in the
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

E. Wolfe Co. Diamond Pave Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
An extraordinarily accurate and artistically brilliant depiction of a butterfly, this brooch from E
Category

Late 20th Century British Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Large Natural Fancy Color Diamond Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990s Dragon Fly brooch set with 10 Carats of Natural Fancy Color Diamonds of Round, Pear and
Category

1990s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Antique 1910s Emerald and Garnet Yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique 0.69 carat garnet and emerald, 9 karat yellow gold 'dragonfly' bar brooch
Category

Vintage 1910s Unknown Brooches

Materials

Emerald, Garnet, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Van Cleef Arpels Gold Dragonfly Brooch, Yellow Sapphires Diamonds
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
The VAN CLEEF & ARPELS Dragonfly Clip Description: White gold and 18k Yellow Gold Dragonfly Clip
Category

Early 2000s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold

Diamond Ruby Plique-a-Jour Enamel Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
dragonfly are filled with vivid red, green and blue enamel with diamonds set in 14k gold giving them a fine
Category

Mid-20th Century Brooches

Materials

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

Plique-à-Jour Enamel Diamond 18K Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Media, PA
An exceptional 18K yellow and white gold large life-sized dragonfly with plique a jour enameled
Category

2010s Italian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Art Nouveau Plique Enamel Gem Set Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1910 18K yellow Gold and Plique Enamel Dragon Fly Brooch, further set with Mine cut Diamonds
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

Substantial Edwardian Pearl Diamond Platinum 18 Karat Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a large dragonfly with delicately pierced wings accented by milgrain With oval spinel
Category

Vintage 1910s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Spinel, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Plat...

Edwardian 0.75 Carat Aquamarine Seed Pearl 14 Karat Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooch is designed as a whimsical dragonfly with a highly rendered abdomen Centering an oval cut
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Pearl, 14k Gold

Edwardian 0.75 Carat Aquamarine Seed Pearl 14 Karat Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a dragonfly with an oval cut aquamarine in the center weighing approximately 0.75 carat
Category

Early 20th Century Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Pearl, 14k Gold

Alluring Large Multi-Gem Diamond Moonstone 18 Karat Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Featuring a dragonfly with pavé set rose cut diamond body and oval cabochon moonstone tail with
Category

20th Century Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Cellini 18KT Gold Dragonfly Brooch with Natural Pink, Yellow and White Diamonds
By Cellini
Located in New York, NY
Dragonfly brooch crafted in 18-karat white and yellow gold and rose gold, pavé-set with yellow
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, ...

Van Cleef Arpels French 2.00 CTW Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Dragonfly Brooch
By Van Cleef Arpels
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brooch is designed as a stylized dragonfly with four wings and sleek body. With round brilliant cut
Category

Early 2000s French Contemporary Brooches

Materials

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

Masriera 18 Karat Gold Enamel, Diamond and Precious Stone Dragonfly Brooch
By Masriera
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Masriera 18-karat yellow gold Dragonfly brooch/pendant has blue,white,and yellow
Category

2010s Spanish Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

Dragonfly Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in Troy, MI
This beautiful dragonfly brooch is crafted in 18k yellow gold. Wings and body feature plenty of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Dragonfly Diamonds and Rubies Gold Brooch
Located in Lisboa, PT
Yellow gold Dragonfly-shaped brooch, with wings and tail set with 45 diamonds. The body features a
Category

20th Century French Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Dragonfly Mother of Pearl Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A unique brooch featuring inlaid mother of pearl as the wings of the dragonfly. Along the body of
Category

Late 20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Herbert Rosenthal Diamond Gold Dragonfly Pin Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Dragonfly Pin Brooch by Herbert Rosenthal. With 7 round brilliant cut
Category

20th Century American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Tiffany Co. Diamond Dragonfly Brooch
By Tiffany Co.
Located in London, GB
Here we have an 18ct white gold brooch from the world renowned jewellery designer, Tiffany & Co
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Dragonfly Pin Brooch
Located in Baltimore, MD
18 Karat Yellow Gold & Diamond Dragonfly Pin Brooch Metal: 18k yellow gold, 750 Weight: 4.10 grams
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Gold Dragonfly Brooches For Sale on 1stDibs

Browse a vast assortment of gold dragonfly brooches for sale on 1stDibs. All of the items for sale were constructed with extraordinary care, often using Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold. Find a collection of 127 vintage versions or 46 modern creations for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Our collection is diverse and broad-ranging, and pieces in stock date back to the 19th Century while others were produced as recently as the 21st Century. Our collection of gold dragonfly brooches includes designs that are universally popular, but Victorian and Modern styles, specifically, are sought with frequency. Versions of these items have been a part of the life’s work for many jewelers, but those produced by Van Cleef Arpels, Tiffany Co. and Ella Gafter are consistently popular. While most can agree that any pick from our collection easily elevates most outfits, but the choice of Diamond versions from the 118 available is guaranteed to add a special touch to your ensemble. There are many round cut, brilliant cut and oval cut gold dragonfly brooches for sale. When shopping our range of gold dragonfly brooches, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for men today than there are for women.

How Much are Gold Dragonfly Brooches?

Prices for gold dragonfly brooches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $239 and can go as high as $985,000, while gold dragonfly brooches, on average, fetch $6,275.

Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship

Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself. 

Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.

Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.

For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.

Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.

In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so. 

Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.

Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle. 

BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.

A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in

Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.

Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.

Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.

The Legacy of Diamond in Jewelry Design

Antique diamond rings, diamond tiaras and dazzling vintage diamond earrings are on the wish lists of every lover of fine jewelry. And diamonds and diamond jewelry are primarily associated with storybook engagements and red-carpet grand entrances — indeed, this ultra-cherished gemstone has a dramatic history on its hands.

From “A Diamond Is Forever” to “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” pop culture has ingrained in our minds that diamonds are the most desired, the most lasting and the most valuable gemstone. But what makes the diamond so special? Each stone — whether it’s rubies, sapphires or another stone — is unique and important in its own right. April babies might claim diamonds for themselves, but just about everyone wants this kind of sparkle in their lives!

There are several factors that set diamonds apart from other stones, and these points are important to our gem education.

Diamonds are minerals. They are made up of almost entirely of carbon (carbon comprises 99.95 percent; the remainder consists of various trace elements). Diamonds are the hardest gemstones, ranking number 10 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Even its name, diamond, is rooted in the Greek adamas, or unconquerable. The only object that can scratch a diamond is another diamond. Diamonds are formed deep within the earth at very high temperatures (1,652–2,372 degrees Fahrenheit at depths between 90 and 120 miles beneath the earth’s surface) and are carried up by volcanic activity. Diamonds are quite rare, according to the Gemological Institute of America, and only 30 percent of all the diamonds mined in the world are gem quality.

In the 1950s, the Gemological Institute of America developed the 4Cs grading system to classify diamonds: clarity, color, cut and carat weight. Not all diamonds are created equal (there are diamonds, and then there are diamonds). The value of the diamond depends on the clarity (flawless diamonds are very rare but a diamond's value decreases if there are many blemishes or inclusions), color (the less color the higher the grade), cut (how the diamond’s facets catch the light, certain cuts of diamonds show off the stone better than others) and carat weight (the bigger, the better).

When you start shopping for a diamond engagement ring, always prioritize the cut, which plays the largest role in the diamond's beauty (taking the time to clean your diamond ring at least every six months or so plays a role in maintaining said beauty). And on 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement ringsvintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings

Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.  

Finding the Right Brooches for You

Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.

While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like GucciVersaceDior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step. 

Given their long history, brooches have expectedly taken on a variety of different shapes and forms over time, with jewelers turning to assorted methods of ornamentation for these accessories, including enameling and the integration of pearls and gemstones. Cameo brooches that originated during the Victorian age are characterized by a shell carved in raised relief that feature portraits of a woman’s profile, while 19th-century micromosaic brooches, comprising innumerable individually placed glass fragments, sometimes feature miniature depictions of a pastoral scene in daily Roman life.

At one time, brooches were symbols of wealth, made primarily from the finest metals and showcasing exquisite precious gemstones. Today, these jewels are inclusive and universal, and you don’t have to travel very far to find an admirer of brooches. They can be richly geometric in form, such as the ornate diamond pins dating from the Art Deco era, or designer-specific, such as the celebrated naturalistic works created by Tiffany Co., the milk glass and gold confections crafted by Trifari or handmade vintage Chanel brooches of silk or laminated sheer fabric. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.

Brooches are versatile and adaptable. These decorative accessories can be worn in your hair, on hats, scarves and on the lower point of V-neck clothing. Pin a dazzling brooch to the lapel of your blazer-and-tee combo or add a cluster of smaller pins to your overcoat. And while brooches have their place in “mourning jewelry,” in that a mourning brooch is representative of your connection to a lost loved one, they’re widely seen as romantic and symbolic of love, so much so that a hardcore brooch enthusiast might advocate for brooches to be worn over the heart.

Today, find a wide variety of antique and vintage brooches for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.

Questions About Gold Dragonfly Brooches
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    A golden brooch is a decorative piece of jewelry designed with a hinged pin and catch that is fastened to clothing. It is a piece of ornament usually made of metal, often silver or gold. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage brooches.