Skip to main content

Silver Diamond Antique Brooch

to
55
571
338
675
483
211
169
146
127
85
66
44
29
22
21
21
19
18
10
8
8
7
7
7
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
4
3
3
2
2
Sort By
Antique Multi Gem Set Silver Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
This sweet little swallowtail is set with countless Rose Diamonds, two Sapphires two Emeralds
Category

Antique 1860s British Brooches

Materials

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

antique Victorian old cut diamond crescent brooch
Located in Stratford upon Avon, GB
Silver and 18ct yellow gold diamond crescent pin brooch featuring seventeen old cut diamonds.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold

Antique Diamond 1.20 Carats Bar Brooch Set in Silver 18 Carats Yellow Gold
Located in Marcianise, CE, IT
Antique, elegant, Italian bar brooch in 18 carats yellow gold (weight 8,40 grams) with old European
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique Gold Opal and Diamond Clover Brooch
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique opal and diamond clover brooch. Late 19th century.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, Gold, Silver

Antique WW1 Recruiting Bands 1915 Diamond Brooch
Located in Sale, Cheshire
A superb, and highly unusual, antique brooch that would have been presented to a member of one of
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Silver

Victorian Natural Rubies and Diamond Antique Brooch Pendant
Located in London, GB
Elevate even the simplest of outfits with this antique natural ruby and diamond brooch, pendant in
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver

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

Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Silver

Antique 18k Gold Silver Top Sapphire 2.35 Ct. OEC Diamond "Love Knot" Brooch
Located in Santa Rosa, CA
and weighs 12.80 grams. Style: Antique Materials: 18K Gold, Sterling Silver Brooch Closure
Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum

Victorian Antique Old Cut Diamond Pendant Brooch Circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A beautiful Victorian antique 7carats diamond brooch from circa the 1880s. The central old mine
Category

Antique 1890s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Diamond Crescent Heart Brooch 2.5ct of Diamond with Box
Located in Kendal, GB
A sweet antique entwined heart and crescent brooch from the late Victorian era, decorated with a
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver

Antique Starburst Diamond Brooch/Pendant/Hairpin In Original Case
Located in Dubai, DU
a symbol of guidance and wisdom, and just like this antique diamond brooch, they were often accented
Category

Antique 1890s European Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Typical Dutch Antique Rose Cut Diamond Jewel Brooch, 1860s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: very good condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Antique 1860s Dutch Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian 4.90 Carat Diamond Celestial Star Brooch Pendant
Located in Napoli, IT
gold with silver top, it is 30 mm. in diameter, originally made to be worn in either ways, brooch or
Category

Antique 1860s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Turquoise Diamond Dropper Pendant Brooch, circa 1860
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
A beautiful antique Victorian pendant brooch Circa 1860, set with old cut Diamonds and five natural
Category

Antique 1860s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Art Nouveau Brooch
Located in PARIS, FR
Volute Art Nouveau silver and 18K gold pendant brooch. Old-cut and rose-cut diamonds. Small old-cut
Category

Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Diamond Silver Gold Bird Pin
Located in New York, NY
Set throughout with rose-cut diamonds suspending a briolette diamonds.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique 1880s Knot Brooch
Located in PARIS, FR
18K rose gold and old-cut 0.15 carat diamond knot brooch. Semi-articulated ribbons with rose and
Category

Antique 1880s French Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Diamond Race Horse Brooch with Jockey 1.35 Carat Diamonds
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- This fabulous antique Victorian brooch is
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Antique Victorian Insect Brooch Diamond Ruby Turquoise, circa 1900
Located in Lancaster, Lancashire
To read more please click continue reading below- This fabulous antique Victorian Silver and 15ct
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Antique 2.5 Carat Diamond Gold Pendant Brooch Moscow circa 1910
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique 2.5 carat diamond Gold Pendant Brooch “Devant de Corsage” Moscow circa 1910 This
Category

Antique Early 1900s Russian Russian Empire Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver

Carlo Arthur Giuliano Antique Brooch Rubies Diamonds, English circa 1895
By Carlo and Arthur Giuliano
Located in London, GB
Victorian openwork circular antique brooch set with brilliant cut diamonds, and three cabochon
Category

Antique 1890s British Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Portuguese Sacred Heart Brooch
Located in London, GB
A ruby, emerald and diamond set sacred heart brooch. Associated with the Portuguese Order of Christ
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Portuguese Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

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

French Antique Tiger Eye Natural Pearl Diamond Gold Fly Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
From the Victorian era this exquisite Tiger Eye and natural Pearl Fly Brooch. The piece is hand
Category

Antique 1850s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Natural Pearl Diamond Flower Brooch in 18K Gold circa 1890
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique Natural Pearl Diamond Flower Brooch in 18K Gold circa 1890 Enchanting antique pearl and
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Belle Époque Brooches

Materials

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

Antique 19th-century Stag-beetle Brooch with Diamonds and Gem stones
Located in Stockholm, SE
Step into the enchanting world of vintage elegance with this exquisite Stag-beetle Brooch, a true
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian circa 1850, 5.00 Ct Diamond Floral Corsage Brooch En Pampille
Located in Berlin, Berlin
ct of rose cut diamonds. The dark, patinated silver of the setting emphasises their effect. In order
Category

Antique 1850s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Rose Cut Diamond Handmade Lizard Brooch
Located in Solvang, CA
Antique rose cut diamond handmade lizard brooch. This stunning antique lizard brooch features 131
Category

Early 20th Century Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Sterling Silver

Vintage Antique Art Nouveau Diamond Set Brooch Dog Collar Head Band, 1900s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: multi purpose piece of jewellery, can be worn as brooch, dog collar
Category

Antique Early 1900s Unknown Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Victorian 2.20 Carat Old Mine Cut Diamond Crescent Moon Brooch 18 Karat
Located in Napoli, IT
Diamonds rated G/H/I VVS/SI The Moon is hand crafted of solid 18 KT gold topped by silver both acid tested
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Victorian French 12.20 Carat Diamond Double Crescent Moon 18 Karat Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
, topped by silver Designed by two rows of Diamonds, making the beautiful celestial motif connected one to
Category

Antique 1880s French Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Green Emerald White Rose Cut Diamond and Red Ruby Brooch, circa 1900s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique emerald, diamond and ruby bee brooch, circa 1900 Mounted in silver and gold with old
Category

Antique 1890s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Diamond Silver Gold Fleur de Lis Watch Hanger
Located in McLean, VA
14 kt. yellow gold and silver Fleur de Lis watch hanger set with 67 rose cut diamonds weighing
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Gold and Gem Set Beetle Brooch
Located in London, GB
Realistically modelled with a Tigers Eye abdomen with a central line of Rose Diamonds to a Silver
Category

Antique 1880s Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Tiger s Eye, 18k Gold, Silver

Antique Russian Gold Diamond Garnet Emerald Opal Natural Pearl Cicada Pin Brooch
Located in Palm Beach, FL
mark for 14 karat. There are some silver top accents on the rose cut diamond sections. This special
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Russian Russian Empire Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Opal, Natural Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Silver

Antique Victorian Brooch Horse Shoe with 67 Diamonds and over 11 Carat Sapphires
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: very good condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Go...

Antique Victorian Gold and Silver Rose Cut Diamond Tie Pin, 1870s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: tiepin/stickpin Condition: very good condition Do you wish for a
Category

Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Russian Antique Brooch Mandoline or Domra with Enamel, 1910s
Located in Antwerp, BE
94 rose cut diamonds all encrusted in silver carry you through this 14K red gold Russian Victorian
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Early Victorian Winged Man-in-the-Moonstone Brooch
Located in Sale, Cheshire
cut diamonds, and it's crafted in 18 karat gold with silver settings. The moonstone face is one of the
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Early Victorian Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Moonstone, 15k Gold, Silver

Edwardian Rare 1.05 Cushion Diamond Plus 2.30 Carat Diamond Bar Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
1900 Signature Piece Unique Diamond bar Brooches have completed with extreme elegance the outfit
Category

Antique Early 1900s Edwardian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver

Distinctive Victorian 14.00 Carat Aquamarine Turquoise Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in Napoli, IT
of each petal, very deep and chunky antique Diamonds being very deep cut -although not appearing they
Category

Antique 1870s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Vintage Art Deco Diamond Onyx and Pearl Brooch
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: very good condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose...

Antique Victorian Gemstone Dearest 18 Carat Gold circa 1900 Boxed Brooch
Located in Lancaster , GB
A splendid antique Victorian Dearest brooch decorated with Diamonds, Pearls and four gemstones at
Category

Antique Early 1900s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Victorian Queen Bee Brooch with Diamonds, Sapphire and Emeralds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: excellent condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Antique 1890s Belgian Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold...

Victorian 2.90 Carat Old Mine Diamond Natural Pearl Brooch Pendant
Located in Napoli, IT
Epitome of Elegance Antique Victorian period, elegant circle designed brooch or pendant can be
Category

Antique 1880s Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver

Stunning Large Victorian Diamond and Pearl Arrow Bar Brooch, 1870s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: bar brooch Condition: excellent condition Do you wish for a 360
Category

Antique 1870s Belgian High Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Sixties Signed Christian Dior Suede Covered Brooch Earrings 6.74 Carat Diamonds
By Christian Dior
Located in Antwerp, BE
technique Silver on gold technique: This technique was very often used with jewelry containing diamonds
Category

Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Victorian Gold Serpent Pin Set with Diamonds Curled Snake Brooch, 1900s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: brooch Condition: very good condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver

Vintage Gold Bejeweled Colorful Butterfly Brooch with Diamonds, Rubies and Opal
Located in Antwerp, BE
This 18K red and yellow gold Vintage brooch from 1930 depicts a colourful butterfly with silver
Category

Vintage 1930s Belgian Retro Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Go...

Victorian Rose Cut Diamond Bow Dangle 18 Karat Rose Gold Pendant Brooch
Located in Antwerp, BE
One hundred rose cut diamonds on foil are dispersed over this silver Victorian jewel with an 18K
Category

Antique 1870s French High Victorian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver

Victorian Insect Brooch Opal Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18 Carat Gold, circa 1880
Located in Lancaster , GB
A fabulous Antique Victorian winged insect brooch boasting two colourful natural Opals set into the
Category

Antique 1880s British Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Unique Antique 18th Century Diamond Button in Excellent Condition, 1780s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique jewelry object group: button Condition: excellent condition Do you wish for a 360° view
Category

Antique 1780s Belgian Georgian Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Silver

Art Nouveau Turquoise Diamond Pendant Silver in 18 Carat Gold, circa 1901 – 1915
Located in Kendal, GB
A beautiful antique Art Nouveau pendant from the Edwardian era decorated with glistening old cut
Category

20th Century European Art Nouveau Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Turquoise, Silver, Gold

Sorab Roshi Sterling Silver 18 Karat Gold Flower Pin with Amethyst Center
By Sorab Roshi
Located in Greenwich, CT
An oxidized sterling silver and 18 karat gold Flower Pin designed and hand created by Sorab with
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches

Materials

Amethyst, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver

Antique Circa 18th Century Agate Cameo Mine Cut Diamonds Sterling
Located in Melbourne, FL
are prong set in sterling silver and the cameo can be worn as a brooch or pendant. the piece
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Unknown Georgian Brooches

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Antique Jeweled Butterfly Pin
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
18k gold and silver emerald, diamond and ruby encrusted pin with an opal center.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches

Materials

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

Antique Natural Pearl Diamond Gold and Silver Pendant Brooch, circa 1890
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique Natural Pearl Diamond Gold and Silver Pendant Brooch circa 1890 Magnificent, antique heart
Category

Antique Late 19th Century German Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

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

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Silver Diamond Antique Brooch", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.