Sabbadini, Famous Italian Designer, Diamond set Bee Brooch in 18K Yellow Gold
By Sabbadini
Located in London, GB
Diamond set bee brooch by Sabbadini Italian designer. Beautifully design bee brooch set with round brilliant cut dazzling diamonds. New retail price £13,500 Diamonds approximate tota...
White Diamond, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Diamond Gold Bee Pin Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Bee Pin Brooch by Herbert Rosenthal.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Bumble Bee Brooch Pin Diamond Wings Vintage 18k Gold Estate Insect Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Finely detailed vintage diamond bumble bee brooch, crafted in 18 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Herbert Rosenthal 18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Bee Pin Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Great Neck, NY
Beautiful Vintage Herbert Rosenthal 18K Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Bee Pin Brooch.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
c1990 Cartier Bee Pin Emerald Brooch Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Signed Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Finley detailed Cartier bee pin crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 1990) Small cabochon cut emerald measures approx. 3mm.
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$1,485
Diamond and 18 Karat Gold Bee Brooch
Located in San Francisco, CA
A charming bee brooch for your jacket, shoulder, or hat! In 18k yellow gold, and set with 17 round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.75ct.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Sold|$2,450
2.05 Carats Diamonds Gold Bumble Bee Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
This adorable high quality estate bee brooch pin is crafted in solid 18K gold and weighs 11.3 grams.
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold
Sold|$7,400
Estate Pearl Ruby Diamond Gold Bee Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Queen Bee! An exciting estate brooch featuring 2.45 carats of VS quality colorless diamonds and 1.40 carats of cabochon rubies all set in 18K yellow gold.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Large Diamond Gold Bee Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s 18K yellow gold and diamond set bee brooch by Herbert Rosenthal.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Chaumet Paris Vintage Diamond Gold Bee Brooch
By Chaumet
Located in Greenwich, CT
Don't worry you will always 'bee' happy when wearing this delightful Chaumet Paris vintage brooch! With a beautifully detailed body and a sparkling pair of diamond eyes, this 18 kar...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Rosenthal Sapphire Diamond Gold Large Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bethesda, MD
From Herbert Rosenthal, this charming large bee brooch. Artfully comprised of 15 brilliant diamonds weighing .60 carat and 27 sapphires weighing 1.20 carats this brooch is chic and...
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
18k Yellow Gold Bee Brooch with Ruby Eyes and Diamond Accents, Vintage
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This small bee shaped pin is covered by sixteen diamonds on its back and two rubies for the eyes. Stone Info: 2x Rubies 1mm ~0.006ct/ea 16x Diamonds SI1/E 2mm ~0.03ct/ea Total Weig...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$3,834
Emerald Diamond Set Bee Brooch in Gold
Located in London, England
A beautifully crafted diamond and emerald bee brooch set in 18ct yellow and white gold. With cabochon ruby eyes, pave-set round brilliant cut diamond wings, and stripes of calibre-cu...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Rosenthal Diamond Ruby Yellow Gold Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Rosenthal diamond ruby and gold bee brooch circa 1990. DETAILS: Rosenthal diamond and ruby bee brooch. Five round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.32 carat, approxima...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Zambian Emerald 2.10 Carat Diamond Bee Brooch
Located in Bangkok, TH
This Bee Pin/Brooch was made in 18K White Gold set with Zambian Emerald total weight 2.60 Carat and fine mill-grain set Brilliant Cut Diamond 75 pieces total weight 0.80 Carat
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sold|$3,560
18 Karat Gold Sapphire Diamond Bee Brooch
Located in London, England
A gorgeous sapphire bee brooch, set in a mix of 18k yellow and white gold.
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Diamond Set Gold Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, Herbert Rosenthal, 18k, New York. This charming bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is set with 1.0 carats of brilliant white diamonds (G color, VS clarity). Rosenthal Bees are...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Sold|$2,072
Gold Diamond Emerald and Ruby Bee Brooch
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat white and yellow gold bee brooch set with diamonds and emeralds and with ruby eyes. weight: 3.64 grams dimensions: 2.2 x 1.7 cm
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Rosenthal Diamond Ruby Gold Gemstone Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bethesda, MD
This beautiful Rosenthal bee brooch features 21 rubies with a total carat weight of 1.15 carats. These beautiful stones make up the body of the bee while the wings are covered in .33...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Sold|$7,500
Tiffany & Co. Diamond and Gold Bee Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k and Platinum, by Tiffany & Co., France. This woefully fat bumble bee brooch from Tiffany & Co is a delight.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Sold|$6,800
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Set Gold Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, Herbert Rosenthal for Tiffany & Co., New York. This delightful bee pin by Tiffany & Co. is set with 2.50 carats of brilliant white diamonds (G color, VS clarity), a...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Sapphire Diamond Gold Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, Herbert Rosenthal, American. This charming bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is set with .55 carats of superb sapphires and .05 carats of brilliant white diamonds (G ...
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Boucheron Paris 18k Gold Diamond Banded Enamel Realistic Bumble Bee Fly Brooch
By Boucheron
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (18) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round & Single Cut - Pave Set - E/F Color - VVS2-VS2 Clarity - 0.30ctw (approx.) (2) Natural Genuine Citrines - Cabochon Custom Cut - Be...
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Turquoise and Diamond Bee Brooch by Rosenthal
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, by Herbert Rosenthal, New York. This charming bee pin by Herbert Rosenthal is set with .60 carats of brilliant white diamonds (F color, VS clarity) and lush blue Pe...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.77 Ct. Emerald and Diamond Antique Style Bee Brooch in 18K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
This emerald and diamond bee brooch is buzzing with elegance. Made in 18k white gold and adorned with an approximately 1.77 carat oval emerald and total of 0.94 carat sparkling diamo...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sold|$12,000
Vintage 1960s Van Cleef & Arpels Bee Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds, a Cabochon Emerald, and a Cabochon Citrine. Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels Circa 1960s 1 x 7/8 inches
Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Sold|$8,650
Vintage 1960s Van Cleef & Arpels Bee Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds, a Cabochon Emerald, and a Cabochon Citrine. Signed by Van Cleef & Arpels Circa 1960s 3/4 x 3/4 inches
Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Sold|$3,629 / item
Ruby and Diamond Bee Brooch Pin Set in 18k Yellow and White Gold
Located in London, England
A beautiful handcrafted ruby and diamond bee brooch in 18 karat white and yellow gold. The bee's thorax is composed of a rubover-set oval ruby within a halo of grain-set round bril...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Vintage Lapis Lazuli Diamond Queen Bee Fly Brooch 18K Yellow Gold 1970s
By Chaumet
Located in Lisbon, PT
Chaumet Vintage Lapis Lazuli and Diamond Queen Bee Brooch in 18 Karat Yellow Gold, 1970s. This brooch is modelled as a queen bee ready to fly, with lapis lazuli wings detailed with t...
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ruby Diamond Pearl Gold Bee Brooch Pin
Located in Toronto, ON
Antique 18K Ruby Diamond and Pearl Bee Brooch Pin, C.1880.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Herbert Rosenthal 18K yellow Gold Bee brooch, measuring just over 3/4 inch in length and 1 inch wing tip to wing tip ( wide ) set with 1 carat of Round Brilliant cut Diam...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Large Sapphire Diamond Gold Bee Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Herbert Rosenthal bee brooch. 18K yellow gold and set with round brilliant cut diamonds totaling .70 carat and grading as F-G in color and VVS in clarity.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Diamond Bee 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Pin
By Henry Dankner & Sons
Located in Miami, FL
Enchanting Bee brooch pin crafted in 18k Yellow Gold, showcasing 2 round brilliant cut diamond eyes, and wings adorned with 10 round brilliant cut diamonds.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Large Yellow Gold Iconic Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Herbert Rosenthal Bee Brooch, measuring 1 inch in length and 1 1/4 inches in length from Wing tip to tip, very fine details with Ruby set Eyes.
Ruby, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1970s Herbert Rosenthal iconic Bee Brooch, 18k Yellow Gold and measuring 3/4 inch in length and 1 inch Wing tip to tip.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold|$3,834
Emerald and Diamond Set Bee Brooch in Gold
Located in London, England
A beautifully crafted diamond and emerald bee brooch set in 18ct yellow and white gold. With cabochon ruby eyes, pave-set round brilliant cut diamond wings, and stripes of calibre-cu...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. 1980s Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Bee Bug Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized yellow gold bee with grooved wings and spindly legs Body is pavé set with round cut sapphires weighing approximately 1.24 carats Transparent medium orange in c...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rosenthal 1960's Diamond Ruby Citrine 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Bee Bug Brooch
By Rosenthal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized bee with deeply engraved wings and textured legs With round cut ruby eyes - transparent purplish red in color Weighing approximately 0.06 carat total - flush s...
Citrine, Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 1960s Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18K Yellow Gold Vintage Bee Bug Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized yellow gold bee with grooved wings and spindly legs Body is pavé set with round cut sapphires weighing approximately 1.24 carats Transparent medium blue in col...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960's Diamond Ruby Sapphire 18K Two-Tone Gold Vintage Bee Bug Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a stylized bee with yellow gold body and white gold head and wings Body is pavé set with round cut sapphires weighing approximately 1.24 carats Transparent medium blue in...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Rosenthal 1970s Honey Bee Diamond Ruby Gold Brooch
By Rosenthal
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Rosenthal 1970s diamond ruby and gold honey bee brooch. Mounted in 18-karat gold, the wings set with round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.70 carat, approximately G c...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 18ct Gold Ruby & Diamond Bumble Bee Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Vintage Bumble Bee Brooch 18ct Gold Stamped Circa 1950’s Absolutely Stunning Vintage Bumble Bee Brooch. His Body is Set with Fabulous Natural Rubies & a Centre Brilliant Cut Diam...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal 18k Gold 0.85ctw Diamond w/ Ruby Eyes Bee Fly Pin Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Montclair, NJ
–Stone(s)– (19) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - Nice Brilliant White Diamonds - 0.85ctw (approx.) (2) Natural Genuine Rubies - Round Cut - Bezel Set - Red...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Gold Enamel and Diamond "Queen Bee" Brooch
Located in Troy, MI
This charming bee brooch is beautifully crafted in Italy of 18k yellow gold with diamond accents.
Diamond, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal HR Diamond Ruby Bee pin Brooch 18k Yellow Gold 6.1g ~1" wide
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Northbrook, IL
Elevate your collection with this stunning Herbert Rosenthal brooch. Crafted from 18k yellow gold, this piece showcases a captivating insect design. The brooch is adorned with brilli...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Black Opal Sapphire and Diamond Art Deco Style Bee Brooch in 18K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Brooch Information Style: Art Deco Metal: 18K White Gold Width: 43 mm.
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, Black Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pair of Emerald, Ruby, Diamond and Pearl Bee Brooches
Located in New York, NY
A pair of emerald, ruby, diamond, and pearl bee brooches. 18k. 26 diamonds on each bee (22 on wings and 4 on head). 1 bee has cabochon ruby eyes and 18 emeralds. 1 bee has cabochon e...
Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Large Diamond Gold Bee Brooch 3 Carats
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Herbert Rosenthal 18K Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Brooch, measuring 1 1/8 inch in length and 1 1/4 inch wide. set with round Brilliant cut Diamonds that are G in color an...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Large Gold and Diamond Large Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Herbert Rosenthal 18K yellow Gold Bee brooch, measuring 1 1/8 inch in length and 1 3/8 inch wing tip to tip.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Iconic Yellow Gold and Diamond Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s Herbert Rosenthal 18k Yellow Gold Bee Brooch, measuring 3/4 inch in length and 1 inch from wing tip to wing tip, weighing 4.7 Grams and is set with Round Brilliant cut Di...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tahitian Pearl Ruby Diamond and Fancy Sapphire Bee Brooch
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
The body consists of a 20mm silvery Tahitian Pearl. The brooch is made in 18 K pink Gold and measures approx. 32 mm x 34 mm and weighs 16.75 g.
Amethyst, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, Pink Sapphire...
Late 19th Century Ruby and Diamond Bee Brooch
Located in Firenze, IT
BERNARDO ANTICHITÀ PONTE VECCHIO FLORENCE Set throughout with old brilliant-cut diamonds, with circular ruby eyes, oval-cut ruby decoration on the body and wing tips, and rose-cut di...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Chaumet Bee Diamond and Mother of Pearl Brooch Pin
By Chaumet
Located in Miami, FL
Chaumet Bee Brooch Pin finely crafted in France in 18 karat yellow gold with mother of pearl wings detailed with twisted yellow gold rope. The head and textured body of the bee are a...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lapis, Diamond, Emerald and Gold Bee Brooch or Pendant
Located in Amsterdam, NL
An 18 carat gold brooch or pendant in the shape of a bee, its wings and body are set with beatiful lapis, across its wings and body are stripes set with brilliant cut diamonds (app. ...
White Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Antique Diamond, Ruby and Opal Bee Brooch, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
A Victorian bee brooch, set with two opals for the eyes, round and cushion-shaped rubies and rose-cut diamonds to the body, and rose-cut diamonds in the wings, mounted in gold, with ...
Diamond, Opal, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver
1960s Emerald 18 Karat Yellow Gold Small Bee Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, gazelle head hallmark. A small and discreet animal brooch, it depicts a bee, with the body and wings carved and the eyes adorned with two small emeral...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gold Diamond and Invisible Set Ruby Bee Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 Exceptional Quality 18K yellow Gold Bee Brooch, measuring 1 1/4 inches from wing tip to tip X 3/4 inch, set with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds totaling .70 Carat and furthe...
Diamond, Ruby
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.
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 rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
Shop antique and vintage diamond rings, diamond necklaces and other extraordinary diamond jewelry on 1stDibs.
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 Gucci, Versace, Dior 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.
The care that went into crafting this jewel, with its lifelike carved petals and diamond accents, matches the sentiment it represents.
For starters, it is one of the jewelry designer’s most celebrated works.
Though it sparkles with more than 27 carats of diamonds, this multifaceted gem delivers more than just dazzle.
Stellene Volandes takes us on a glittering, engrossing tour through the centuries.
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
The philanthropist and heiress was an avid jewelry collector, and her trove of Jean Schlumberger creations embodies the love of nature she shared with the famed designer.