Antique Gold Brooches
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Red Gold Brooch
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Vintage 14 karat red gold brooch with diamonds, Italy late 1800s
Length 8.5 cm
Width 1.5 cm
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Brooch
Located in London, GB
Antique 15ct Gold Brooch
with beautiful granule detailing
fully tested
pin is 15 carat also
Closes securely
The brooch is hollow - so quite easy to wear
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Byzantine Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Gold
Antique Coral Putto Carving Gold Brooch
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Lovely realistically carved putto lying in a bed of scrolled ornaments and a flower. The carving has been executed in Italy in the 3rd quarter of the 19th century and mounted on a 14...
Category
1860s Italian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Coral, 14k Gold
Faberge Antique Sapphire Diamond Gold Brooch
By Fabergé
Located in New York, NY
Original Faberge antique 18k gold brooch, with three sapphire cabochons (measuring approx. 8.6 x 7.4mm and 10.6 x 8.4mm) and approx. 0.30cts in diamonds. Brooch is 48mm x 15mm. Marke...
Category
19th Century Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Georg Jensen 18 Karat Gold Brooch #206
By Georg Jensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen 18K Gold Brooch #206. Measures 6,2cm (2 7/16 in.) and is in good condition. Dates to 1908-1914. Weighs 6g / 0,20oz
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
18k Gold
Art Nouveau Enameled Gold Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
This distinctly Art Nouveau vintage brooch is actually from the Art Deco period. It was made in Austria in the mid 1920s. The 14K gold brooch features a superbly enameled relief of a...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Antique Gold Brooches
Victorian Seed Pearls and Peridots Gold Brooch
Located in MELBOURNE, VIC
Stunning Antique Late Victorian 15 Carat yellow gold Brooch
Encrusted with Seed Pearls and Peridots
In a shape of a flower with an elevated centre.
Dimensions: 31.2 mm x 31.2 mm.
Bro...
Category
19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold
Diamond Flower Silver & Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Diamond flower silver and gold brooch
Old-miner cut diamonds of approximately 12-15 carats, magnificent silver and gold
High quality Victorian piece of jewelry
Size: width 1.75 ...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Antique Citrine 14 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
One Antique Citrine 14 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Set. Featuring two golden citrines with a total weight of approximately 32.00 carats. 14 karat yellow gold. Circa 1870. One citrine br...
Category
1870s Unknown High Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Banded Agate, Enamel and Multi-Gem Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Antique Agate & Multi Gem Gold Brooch with black & white enamel
Renaissance Revival
2 diamonds
5 rubies
4 turquoise
1 pearl
Measurements: 3 inches long
Accompanied with original Phil...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Renaissance Revival Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Agate, Gold, Enamel
Antique Victorian Coral Gold Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
Antique Victorian 14k gold brooch, featuring teardrop coral (approx. 25 x 18.3mm) Brooch measures 72mm x 74mm. Tested 14k. Weight - 32.9 grams.
Category
19th Century Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Coral, Gold
Aquamarine Filigree 14 Karat Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Aquamarine 14kt Gold Brooch.Brooch is beautifully adorned with 11 vibrant oval shaped aquamarines and done in a filigree manner. 25.42 grams
Category
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Aquamarine, 14k Gold
Antique Napoleon Miniature Gold Brooch
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Antique memorial brooch with a pained miniature of Napoleon.
The miniature with a portrait of Napoleon in profile has been painted on card with gouache. The gold brooch is decorated ...
Category
1810s French George III Antique Gold Brooches
Antique Carved Coral Cherub Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful antique carved coral and yellow gold brooch featuring a cherub surrounded by flowers. Made in Italy, nineteenth century.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Coral, Yellow Gold
Victorian Porcelain Diamond Seed Pearl Gold Brooch and Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A Victorian brooch made of porcelain with hand painting of a young girl. The border of the 14K yellow gold brooch has alternating round cut diamonds and seed pearls. This brooch also...
Category
1830s British Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Agate Cameo Enamel Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1880
A Renaissance style large 18K matte gold brooch is centered with a carved agate cameo of a profile female bust framed by numerous rose cut diamonds and surrounded by go...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Agate
Antique Natural Pearl and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive antique natural pearl and 15 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
This stunning, fine and imp...
Category
1890s Unknown Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Arts & Crafts Russian Jeweled Gold Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Made in St. Petersburg, circa 1890.
A 14K gold brooch / pin is designed as a stylized horseshoe - a symbol of good luck.
The brooch is set with an oval cabochon amethyst and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Russian Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Amethyst, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Antique Victorian Agate and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian agate and 18 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
This exceptional antique broo...
Category
1880s British Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Sapphire Diamond Pearl Gold Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
Victorian 18k gold brooch, with three blue sapphires and one old mine diamond, as well as 5 pearls. Brooch is 35mm x 30mm. Weight - 14 grams.
Category
19th Century Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold
1900th Mosaic 9 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Marcianise, IT
For any problems related to some materials contained in the items that do not allow shipping and require specific documents that require a particular period, please contact the selle...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Artisan Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Onyx, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Georg Jensen 18 Karat Gold Brooch #53 from 1933-1944
By Georg Jensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen 18K Gold Brooch #53 from 1933-1944. Measures 6,1cm x 3cm. Weight 10 grams or 0,357 oz.
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
18k Gold
Georg Jensen 18 Karat Gold Brooch with Synthetic Sapphire #281
By Georg Jensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen 18K Gold Brooch with Synthetic Sapphire #281. Measures 5.8 cm L (2 9/32 in.). 1 cm W (0 25/64 in.)
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Georg Jensen 14 Karat Gold Brooch with Pearl #110
By Georg Jensen
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Georg Jensen 14K Gold Brooch with Pearl #110
Measures 5.5 cm L (2 11/64 in). 1 cm W (0 25/64 in).
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Art Nouveau Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Cultured Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique Micromosaic Etruscan Revival Gold Brooch
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderful, high-quality Etruscan Revival micromosaic gold brooch.
With a central floral bouquet motif set in polychrome and gold tesserae and surrounded by concentric rings of gol...
Category
Mid-19th Century Italian Etruscan Revival Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
15k Gold
18kt Silver on Gold Brooch with 2.10 ct Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original 18kt gold Brooch With 2.10 ct Rose Cut Diamonds
Diamonds: Rose cut diamonds together ca. 2.10 cts
Material: Silver on 18 kt gold
Total weight: 13.1 gram / 0.460 oz / 8.4...
Category
19th Century Artisan Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Gold, Silver, 18k Gold
Vintage Ruby and Diamond Crescent 18 Carat Gold Brooch
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This stylish crescent brooch holds a total of 9 rubies and 10 diamonds. The rubies total approximately 65pts and the diamonds total aproximately 80pts. The brooch is modelled out of ...
Category
Early 1900s British Edwardian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century Swiss Enamel Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Chicago, IL
Geneva, Switzerland, circa 1850
An antique Swiss 18K gold brooch features an oval glossy enamel plaque finely painted with a view of Lake Lucerne after the 1844 painting by Thomas M...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
French Victorian Enamel Natural Pearl Diamond yellow gold Brooch
Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
18k yellow gold brooch with all but one natural pearls, black enamel and diamonds. The cluster top plays host to a suspended larger baroque pearl with a snake coiled around it. 2 inc...
Category
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Natural Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Victorian Era Antique Russian Amethyst Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated 1873
A 14K yellow matte gold brooch features an oval Russian amethyst (24 x 21 x 12.4 mm, approximately 33 carats) surrounded by ornate openwork bezel.
Marked on pin with...
Category
Mid-19th Century Russian Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Amethyst
Victorian Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine antique Victorian 0.38 carat diamond and 15 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
This antique Victorian star brooch has been ...
Category
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique French 1900s Enamel and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique French hand painted enamel and 18k yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
This fine and impressive anti...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Rubies Gold Brooch, 1900
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
A fine line of red Rubies culminating with an old-cut Diamond. A super-fine addition to any outfit and also the one that can bring some secret meaning.
It was common to communicate ...
Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
Theodor Fahrner Jugendstil Art Nouveau Enamel Gold Brooch
By Fahrner
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
A beautiful and rare 18k gold brooch by Theodor Fahrner, in a rectangular gateway design, with a pearl and a red enamelled ring around it in the center, hinged to a diamond-set colum...
Category
Early 1900s German Jugendstil Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
Antique Signed Miniature Landscape Painting Gouache on Card 18 Karat Gold Brooch
Located in Munich, Bavaria
This charming miniature painting of a house and two figures in the countryside has been mounted in a white and yellow 18 karat gold brooch in the early 1900's. The painting is signed.
Category
Early 1900s Belle Époque Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Gold, 14k Gold
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Dm 1.38 in.
Jadeite Jade Hand 24 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Pin Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautiful and finely detailed hand carved Chinese Jadeite Jade Hand and hand crafted 24 Karat yellow Gold Brooch. Approx. 3.55” Long. Super cool vintage piece, ready to wear from day...
Category
Early 20th Century Artisan Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Jade, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Opal and Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine opal and 0.22 carat diamond, platinum set, 15 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
The elongated shaped pierced decorated fra...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Opal, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18kt Yellow Gold Brooch / Pendant With Rose Cut Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique 18kt Yellow Gold Brooch / Pendant with Rose Cut Diamonds
Brooch has hoops attached so its a pendant that can also be worn on a necklace
Diamonds: 16 Rose cut diamonds
Mate...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Yellow Gold
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W 2.47 in. D 0.38 in. L 1.42 in.
Diamond Art Nouveau Gold Brooch Pin Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Finely detailed Art Nouveau Diamond White Gold Brooch. Beautifully Hand crafted with migraine details in 18K White Gold. Hand set with 109 Diamonds weighing approx....
Category
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
Oval Victorian Etruscian Style 15ct Gold Brooch Set with Old Cut Diamond, c.1870
Located in London, GB
Oval Victorian Etruscian Style 15ct Gold Brooch Set With Old Cut Diamond,c.1870
This pretty Brooch has a locket back with original sepia photo insert of the
lady owner's husband or ...
Category
1870s British Etruscan Revival Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Gold
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H 0.79 in. D 0.3 in. L 1.19 in.
Antique Victorian Paste Cabochon Foil and 15K Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian paste and 15 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
This impressive antique Victorian brooch ha...
Category
1880s Unknown Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
15k Gold, Yellow Gold
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H 0.59 in. W 1.37 in. L 1.57 in.
Antique Diamond Silver Rose Gold Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karats rose gold and silver.
This gorgeous radiant antique round brooch features an openwork scrollwork spiral design set with brilliant cut and rose cut diamonds. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Victorian Detachable Natural Queen Conch Pearl Gold Brooch with Certificates
Located in London, GB
A Victorian Detachable Natural Queen Conch Pearl Gold Brooch with Cert.
When detached the lower section with the pearl can be used as a pendant and the upper section can be wore as...
Category
1870s Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, Silver
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H 1.86 in. W 1.11 in. D 0.4 in.
Victorian Snake Gold Brooch Pendant, 1890
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Features a snake winding up. The red Ruby with tiny old cut Diamonds on its head. Even the eyes of the snake are present.
There are special holes under the head for the snake so it ...
Category
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Gold
Antique Diamond Demantoid Lizard Gold Brooch
Located in Munich, Bavaria
Brooch shaped as a lizard and set with diamonds and demantoids mounted in 14K gold.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, 14k Gold
1910s Antique Pearl Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive pearl and 0.55 carat ruby, 0.30 carat diamond and 12 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
This stunning, fine ...
Category
1910s Unknown Art Deco Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Diamond and Enamel Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.07 carat diamond and enamel, 18 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
This fine and...
Category
1890s Unknown Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Almandine Black Enamel 18 Karat Gold Brooch, Paris, circa 1860
Located in Goettingen, DE
Antique Almandine Black Enamel 18K Gold Brooch, Paris circa 1860
Magnificent brooch made of high-quality, finely chased gold, oval with a lattice-like openwork edge and black enamel...
Category
1860s German Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Garnet, Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
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W 2.17 in. L 1.78 in.
Edwardian Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An Edwardian diamond brooch from the early 1900's featuring a 0.80 carat European cut diamond, complemented by 1.05 carats of European cut diamonds around the brooch. Set in 14K yell...
Category
Early 1900s Edwardian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
18kt Yellow Gold Brooch with 4.37 Ct Natural Salt Water Pearl & 0.46ct Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
18kt Yellow Gold Brooch with a natural salt water pearl and diamonds
Pearl: Natural Salt water Baroque pearl, 4.37ct, No indications of treatment
The pearl comes with an ALGT certif...
Category
19th Century Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
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W 0.57 in. D 0.6 in. L 2.19 in.
Victorian Pearl Enamel Gold Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
An antique from the Victorian era, circa 1880, featuring a pearl in the center with an enameled star. The centerpiece turns slightly. The back of the piece has a removable piece of g...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Antique Victorian 85.49 Carat Citrine and Yellow Gold Brooch, Circa 1850
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, large antique Victorian 85.49 carat citrine and 18 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections
This...
Category
1850s Unknown Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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H 0.56 in. W 1.57 in. L 1.95 in.
Antique Victorian Porcelain Gold Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A lovely Victorian brooch with perfect artwork depicts a young woman behind a blue fan with a charming message, “Qui m’aime me suive,” meaning “Whoever loves me follow me.” The vibra...
Category
18th Century French High Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
14k Gold
Gemolithos Antique Shell Cameo Gold Brooch-locket, circa 1870s
Located in Munich, DE
GEMOLITHOS Antique Shell Cameo Gold Brooch-locket, circa 1870s, 5,4gr. and circa 2,5cm.
depicting `The night of Thorvaldsen`. The reliefs Night and Day that hang opposite each other...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
18k Gold
Victorian Hardstone Cameo Gold Brooch
Located in Riverdale, NY
Victorian high relief sardonyx cameo of maiden with hair wreath decoration. The wreath and dress closure are carnelian toned against her alabaster profile.
Elegantly carved in high...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Agate, 18k Gold
Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18K Gold Brooch, circa 1840
Located in Goettingen, DE
Victorian Pearl and Diamond 18K Gold Brooch circa 1840
Very decorative brooch made of embossed gold, the center worked as a hemisphere and star-shaped with four pearls and a radiant...
Category
1830s German Early Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Plique-à-Jour Enamel Gold Brooch Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A lovely brooch made of enameled plique-à-jour. The happy woman looks onto her darling lily-of-the-valley flowers made of 14K yellow gold. This brooch doubles as pendant with the hid...
Category
Early 1900s British Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Empress Elisabeth Diamond Cipher Gold Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
Vienna, circa 1880.
An elegant and historically important Imperial presentation brooch with a cipher of Empress Elisabeth ‘Sissi’ of Austria.
The brooch is designed as a diamond ciph...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Victorian Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Gold
1900s Antique 0.45 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.45 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
This fine and impressive antique bro...
Category
1910s Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Diamond 18 Carat Gold Brooch
Located in Berlin, DE
Belle Époque style. Mounted in 18 carat white- and yellow gold. With 27 brilliant-cut diamonds with a total weight of circa 2,30 ct. Total weight: 6,7 grams. Length: 2.71 in ( 6,9 cm )
Category
Early 20th Century Belle Époque Antique Gold Brooches
Materials
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique Gold Brooches For Sale on 1stDibs
Find an expansive variety of antique gold brooches available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, 18k Gold and Yellow Gold, these items were constructed with great care. Our inventory is broad and distinctive, with accessories on offer that were made as long ago as the 18th Century to those produced as recently as the 20th Century. Pieces in our collection of antique gold brooches made by Victorian jewelers — as well as those associated with Art Nouveau — are very popular. Tiffany & Co., Krementz & Co and Cartier each produced beautiful examples of these items that are worth considering. Many pieces in our collection are stylish for most occasions, but Diamond versions, from our inventory of 3546, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, day or night. A selection of round cut, old european cut and rose cut can be found today on these pages. If you’re browsing the variety of antique gold brooches for sale, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men.
How Much are Antique Gold Brooches?
Prices for antique gold brooches can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $1 and can go as high as $360,694, while antique gold brooches, on average, fetch $2,744.
Finding the Right Brooches for You
Antique and vintage brooches, which are decorative jewels traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
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.
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 on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
Questions About Antique Gold Brooches
- Is antique gold real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Antique gold is as real as contemporary gold. Pure gold is 24-karats, though few pieces of jewelry are actually made completely of 24-karat gold because it's extremely soft. 14-karat and 18-karat gold jewelry is usually mixed with alloy to make the piece a bit more durable.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Whether or not an antique gold finish is real gold or not depends on the item in question. Often, things said to have an "antique gold finish" simply have a gold-toned finish. However, in some cases, the finish may be real gold plating. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of gold decorative objects and jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if jewelry is antique gold, take it to a licensed appraiser experienced in evaluating jewelry. It is difficult to identify jewelry materials using only the naked eye and online resources. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of expertly vetted gold jewelry.
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