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Antique Circa 1900s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond Decorated Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 6.5 grams. Totally is diamond 0.90 carat. The diamond is
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Brooch Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Geneva, CH
14K gold and silver brooch set by rose-cut diamonds. Dimensions (without chain): 4.50 centimeters x
Category

Early 20th Century European Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique 14ct Gold Silver Brooch, Set With Sapphire, Garnet, Aquamarine&Diamond
Located in London, GB
A stunning example of antique craftsmanship, this brooch showcases a harmonious arrangement of
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Delicate Antique Plique-a-Jour Enamel Diamond Gold Silver Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
eyes and approx. 0.30ctw in diamonds. The brooch measures 2 1/8" x 1". Stamped with 750 mark. Weight of
Category

Antique 19th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver, Enamel

French Antique Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Bow Brooch, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A French antique diamond and silver-upon-gold bow brooch, set with two rows of old mine cut
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Cartier Platinum Diamond Silver Brooch Pin
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Antique Cartier platinum brooch with silver / gold center, adorned with rose cut and round
Category

20th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum, Silver

Antique Edwardian 14K Gold Silver Old Cut Diamond Openwork Stomacher Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, silver, and yellow gold brooch/stomacher, comprising seventy-seven old and rose
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 9kt gold and silver diamond turquoise flower head brooch
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Victorian 9kt yellow gold and silver diamond turquoise flower head brooch. Made in England
Category

Antique 1890s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, Silver

Antique 6.38 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Silver Set Spray Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
silver set spray brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This
Category

Antique 1880s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Georgian 18K Silver Rose Diamond Enamel Limoges Mandolin Brooch Pin
Located in Winter Springs, FL
done in 18K multi-toned gold and silver topped in sections set with rose and peruzzi cut diamonds. Side
Category

Antique Mid-18th Century Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique French Rose Gold Silver and Ol Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
Designed as oval plaque, set with fold European-cut diamond. Lenght: 6cm
Category

Antique 1870s French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Vintage Georgian Rose Cut Diamond Gold Silver Large Star Pin Brooch
Located in Southampton, PA
Antique Vintage Estate 18k Gold And Silver Rose Cut Diamond Large Star Pin Brooch. Authentic
Category

Antique Early 1800s American Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Rose Gold, Gold, Silver

Antique 18ct Gold Silver, Victorian Natural Pearl and Diamond Spider Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Spider Pendant 18ct Gold & Silver Tested Circa 1860 Discover the exquisite charm of
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century European Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 18K Gold Silver Diamond Emerald Butterfly Brooch C 1880
Located in Firenze, IT
embellished by 6 natural emeralds and 235 rose cut diamonds. This nice antique brooch is large in size
Category

Antique 1880s European Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold

Antique Victorian 9K Yellow Gold Silver Diamond and Pearl Salamander Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond, pearl, silver, and yellow gold brooch, comprising fifteen rose cut diamonds
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Georgian 2.56 CTW Diamond Sterling Silver 10K Gold Antique Bow Brooch Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a silver-topped set of dimensional tied ribbon-like bows Each centering old mine cut
Category

Antique 1780s Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver

Antique Victorian 18K Gold Silver 1ctw Diamond Ruby Kookaburra Bird Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique, diamond, ruby, silver, and yellow gold brooch, comprising fifty round cut diamonds, and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Victorian 15K Gold Silver 2.82ctw Old Cut Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A late Victorian diamond, silver and yellow gold brooch and pendant, comprising forty-four old
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 15 Gold Silver 2.46tgw Amethyst and Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian amethyst, diamond, silver, and yellow gold pendant and brooch, comprising one square
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 10k Gold, 15k Gold, Silver

Antique Circa 1910s 18k Gold Top Silver ArtNouveau Natural Diamond Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 41.3 grams. Totally is diamond 7 ct. The diamond is has G
Category

Vintage 1910s European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique 14K Gold Silver Diamond Floral Brooch with Briolette Drop, Circa 1880
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A beautifully preserved antique brooch from the late 19th century, crafted in 14K yellow gold with
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 15K Gold Silver 2.39ctw Diamond Crescent Brooch or Pendant
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, silver, and rose gold pendant or brooch, comprising sixty old mine and rose cut
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 15k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Quartz Glass Doublet Georgian Brooch, Silver 18k Gold Antique w/ Diamonds
Located in Greensboro, NC
Preserve a lovely piece of history with this charming antique brooch! Created in 18k yellow gold
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Yellow Gold and Silver 1.74ctw Diamond Pearl Palmette Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
A Victorian diamond, pearl, yellow gold and silver brooch or pendant, set with one round pearl, one
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Style Emerald Diamond Brooch
By Meghna Jewels
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
A stunning brooch set in 5.04 carats emerald, 2.89 sapphire and 1.47 carats of sparkling diamonds
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Snake Brooch in 14kt Gold, Platinum Silver with Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Braintree, GB
A striking antique brooch crafted in 14 karat yellow gold with a silver front, modelled as a
Category

Vintage 1910s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Platinum, Silver

Antique Silver 2.33ctw Old Cut Large Diamond Open Filigree Oval Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
-I2 Clarity - 0.60ctw (approx.) Diamond Total Carat Weight: 2.33 (approx.) Material: Solid Silver w
Category

20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, White Gold, Silver

Antique Pearl and Diamond Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
6mm.; estimated total diamond weight: 3.00 carats; silver-topped gold mount; length:6,5cm
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Rose Cut Diamond Sapphire Bug Brooch
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Rose Cut Diamond Sapphire Bug Brooch. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Austrian Burma Ruby, Diamond and Silver-Upon-Gold Brooch, Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
An antique, Austrian, Burma ruby and diamond chequerboard brooch, with French-cut rubies, in claw
Category

Antique 1890s Austrian Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Antique Silver Topped Gold Rose-cut Diamond and Amethyst Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite antique brooch features a richly hued 13-carat amethyst at its center, beautifully
Category

Antique 19th Century Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, Gold Plate

Antique Circa 1900s 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.2 grams. Totally is diamond about 1 carat. The diamond is
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

French Antique Sapphire Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Crescent Brooch, Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
A French antique sapphire and diamond crescent brooch, with a graduating row of cushion-cut
Category

Antique 1890s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Silver

Antique Ruby Diamond Twin Heart Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
in 14K gold and silver. The brooch is embellished with old mine cut rubies (likely of Burma origin
Category

Antique Early 1900s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Crescent Moon Brooch – 2.60ct Rose Cut Diamonds, 14K Rose Gold Silver
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique crescent brooch crafted in silver on 14K rose gold, studded with 65 rose cut natural
Category

Antique 1880s French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond, Silver, Gold Twelve Point Star Brooch, Circa 1880, 11.26 Carats
Located in London, GB
A Victorian diamond star brooch, with twelve points, set with old-cut diamonds, with an estimated
Category

Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Gold and Silver Lizard Brooch with Old-Cut Diamonds and Rubies
Located in Lisboa, PT
This striking antique lizard brooch is a true conversation piece, meticulously crafted in a rare
Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian French 18K Yellow Gold Silver 1.4ctw Old Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
An antique diamond, silver, and yellow gold brooch, comprising seventy-eight old cut diamonds, and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique 19th Century Sapphire Ruby Diamond Bee Insect Animal Brooch Silver Gold
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique 19th Century Diamond, Sapphire, and Ruby Bee Brooch in Silver and Gold. A captivating 19th
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 18K Gold Silver 9.5ct Sapphire Diamond Dangle Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an absolutely breathtaking antique brooch or pendant that was crafted from solid 18k
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique 1.30 carat rose cut diamond 18k yellow gold silver insect brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This antique insect brooch is a charming and imaginative jewel, brought to life through the glitter
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Crescent Brooch, Circa 1890, 4.00 Carats
Located in London, GB
An antique crescent moon brooch, set with a single row of old-cut diamonds, graduating in size
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Georgian Gold Silver Diamond Flying Large Peacock Bird Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old Rose Cut - Pave Set - 3-5ctw (approx.) (1
Category

Antique Early 1800s Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique french edwardian brooch in 18k pink gold, silver and diamonds
Located in PARIS, FR
Broche ancienne en or rose 18 carats (750 millièmes) et en argent 800 millièmes du début du 20ème siècle. De forme ronde, elle est sertie de 32 diamants de taille rose en serti grain...
Category

Early 20th Century European Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Oak Diamond Brooch Mid-Victorian Gold Silver Old Mined Cut Diamonds Gift wedding
Located in Berlin, DE
A mid-Victorian diamond oak leaf brooch, circa 1860s. Set in yellow gold and silver, length 45 mm
Category

Antique 1860s French Napoleon III Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian 14K Gold and Silver Diamond Arrow and Crescent Pin Brooch
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Antique Victorian 14K Gold and Silver Diamond Arrow and Crescent Pin Brooch. This
Category

Antique 1890s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Silver and 14K Gold Rose-Cut Diamond Floral Brooch, Circa 1850
Located in Rotterdam, NL
This antique brooch captures the refined elegance of mid-19th-century jewelry design. Crafted in
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Dutch Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique 19th Century Baroque Pearl Diamond Bee Insect Pin Brooch Silver Gold
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique 19th Century Baroque Pearl and Diamond Bee Brooch in Silver and Gold, circa 1880. A poetic
Category

Antique 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Georgian 12k Gold Silver Diamond Ruby Floral Branch Vine Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds - Rose Cut - Pave Set - 2-3ctw (approx.) (3
Category

Antique Early 1800s Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Circa 1900s Handmade 14k Gold Top Silver Natural Diamond Bird Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 7.7 gram. Totally is rose cut diamond 0.60 ct. Totally is
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Brooch with Old European Cut Diamonds in Silver and Gold
Located in London, GB
Antique Victorian filigree brooch with old European cut diamonds set in silver and gold. This
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Monkeys Diamond Natural Pearl Ruby Sapphire Brooch Silver Gold French
Located in Lisbon, PT
Antique Circus Monkeys Diamond, Natural Pearl, Burmese Ruby and Sapphire Brooch in Silver and Gold
Category

Antique Early 1900s French Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique French Victorian 18K Yellow Gold Silver Pearl and Diamond Swan Brooch
Located in Staines-Upon-Thames, GB
thing about this Antique Silver and Yellow Gold Pearl and Diamond Brooch is the whimsical design. What’s
Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Circa 1870s 18k Gold Top Silver Natural Rose Cut Diamond Brooch
Located in Fatih/İstanbul, 34
In very good condition. Total weight is 5.8 grams. Totally is diamond about 0.60 ct. The diamond is
Category

Antique 1870s European Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian Diamond Tremblone Brooch French 18k Gold Silver Antique Clip Pin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Unique tremblone brooch created in France at the end of 1800s. Made of silver and gold of 18, 14
Category

Antique 19th Century French Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Crescent Brooch, 4.00 Carats, Circa 1880
Located in London, GB
An antique crescent moon brooch, the body is set with two rows of old mine-cut diamonds, graduating
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Silver

Antique Emerald, Diamond and Ruby brooch, Sterling silver and 9lt gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
This magnificent antique Art Nouveau Emerald, Diamond and Ruby brooch is just breathtaking! A
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 9k Gold, Sterling Silver

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Silver Diamond Antique Brooch For Sale on 1stDibs

On 1stDibs, you can find the most appropriate silver diamond antique brooch for your needs in our varied inventory. Frequently made of gold, silver and yellow gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 1029 vintage or 15 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a silver diamond antique brooch may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 18th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. Finding an appealing silver diamond antique brooch — no matter the origin — is easy, but LB Exclusive, Meghna Jewels and Cartier each produced a popular version that is worth a look. A rose cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also old mine cut and old european cut versions for sale. When shopping for a silver diamond antique brooch, you’ll find that there are less available pieces for unisex or men today than there are for women.

How Much is a Silver Diamond Antique Brooch?

The price for a silver diamond antique brooch starts at $100 and tops out at $348,500 with these brooches, on average, selling for $4,719.

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.