David Webb, 18K Gold Enamel Emerald Diamond Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
This striking David Webb leopard brooch prowls with sculptural elegance. Crafted in rich yellow
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel
David Webb, 18K Gold Enamel Emerald Diamond Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
This striking David Webb leopard brooch prowls with sculptural elegance. Crafted in rich yellow
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel
Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Onyx Tsavorite Leopard Brooch & Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A striking brooch depicting a poised leopard. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, the body is adorned with
Diamond, Onyx, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Onyx Tsavorite Leopard Brooch & Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A striking brooch depicting a poised leopard. Crafted in 18k yellow gold, the body is adorned with
Diamond, Onyx, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
22K Gold Leopard Head Brooch - Emerald, Ruby, Diamond & Baroque Pearl
Located in Miami, FL
This luxury brooch features a striking leopard head motif adorned with rubies, emeralds, and
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Leopard Brooch 18K Yellow Gold and Enamel
Located in Dallas, TX
Leopard Brooch in 18K Yellow Gold and Enamel. The brooch features diamond and emerald accents as
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Leopard 0.54ct Diamond Collar and Emerald Eyes Brooch
Located in Broomall, PA
Exclusive Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Leopard 0.54ct Diamond Collar and Emerald Eyes Brooch A
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Peter Suchy Natural Leopard Druzy Quartz Diamond Leaf Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Unique natural leopard Druzy quartz in a leaf shape set in a 18k yellow gold frame. This brooch has
Diamond, Quartz, Druzy, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$11,500
W 2.25 in L 1.15 in
Snow White Leopard Pave & Opal Diamond Sapphire Emerald White Gold Pin Brooch
By Unbranded
Located in Oakton, VA
An incredible vintage design solid 14k white gold leopard pin features an 2 carat Ethiopian solid
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
$7,665
H 1.8 in W 2.5 in
Robert Wander 18K Gold Emerald & Diamond Hand Textured Leopard Cat Brooch Pin
By Wander
Located in Montclair, NJ
Here we have an Incredible French brooch pin by Robert Wander crafted in solid 18k yellow gold and
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,498
H 0.68 in W 1.5 in
18k Yellow Gold 1.25ctw Pave Set Diamond & Sapphire Panther Leopard Pin Brooch
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- Numerous Natural Genuine Diamonds - Round Brilliant Cut - Pave Set - F/G Color - VS1
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$9,925
W 1.5 in L 2 in
Asch Grossbardt Platinum & 18KT Gold Leopard Brooch With Onyx & Mother of Pearl
By Asch Grossbardt
Located in New York, NY
This dramatic leopard brooch by world renowned jeweler Asch Grossbartd is made of 18 karat white
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Platinum
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold “Leopard” Brooch
Located in Pleasant Hill, CA
Designed as a stylized, elongated leopard reaching for a ball, its collar and ball accented by (23
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
DAVID WEBB Spotted Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb spotted Leopard Brooch with Emerald Cabochon eyes. The markings are done in white pave
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
Unavailable
H 0.88 in W 1.5 in
Vintage 14k Diamond Yellow Gold Running Panther Brooch Pin, Cat Leopard Jaguar
Located in Sausalito, CA
Elegant 14k panther brooch highlighted by ten full-cut diamonds. Size: 1-1/2" X 7/8" tall. Weight
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Yellow Diamond Leopard Brooch
Located in Aspen, CO
Buff-topped onyx, vivid yellow diamond and fine emerald leopard brooch in 18K yellow gold with
Onyx, 18k Gold
David Webb Enamel Emerald Diamond Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold, platinum, enamel, emerald and diamond brooch, David Webb. The gold brooch
Sold
W 1.58 in L 2.56 in
Vintage Picchiotti Onyx, Emerald and Diamond Leopard Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
By Picchiotti
Located in London, England
A magnificent vintage Picchiotti leopard brooch set in 18k yellow gold with onyx, diamonds and
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Leopard Ruby Diamond Gold Brooch
Located in South Pasadena, CA
1980s Leopard brooch set with rubies and diamonds set in gold. Sleek as only a cat can be, this
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Diamond Black Enamel Yellow Gold Leopard Brooch
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Diamond black enamel and yellow gold leopard brooch circa 1970. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: a big leopard
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Italian Leopard Diamond and Emerald Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Captivating Leopard Brooch crafted in 18 karat yellow gold, accented with green emerald eyes and
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Unique Diamond, Emerald & Sapphire Vintage Leopard Brooch
Located in San Francisco, CA
18 karat gold leopard brooch features approximately 7.30 carats of fine white diamonds expertly set
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Stenzhorn Sapphire and Diamond Leopard Pendant Brooch
Located in London, GB
Here we have a captivating brooch come pendant masterfully designed in the form of a roaring
Diamond, Sapphire, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
DAVID WEBB Articulated Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in Chicago, IL
18K yellow Gold, Enamel and Diamond set Leopard Brooch by david Webb. Excellent Detail with every
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
DAVID WEBB gold, emerald, diamond and enamel leopard brooch.
Located in New York, NY
enamel leopard brooch. Signed David Webb.
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
David Webb Leopard Brooch Gold, Diamond, Enamel, and Emerald
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Gold, Diamond, Enamel, and Emerald Leopard Brooch by David Webb This brooch pin has a sitting
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s David Webb Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
eyes and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds. Signed by David Webb Circa 1960s 2 x 4 inches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Sold
W 1.97 in D 0.6 in L 3.15 in
David Webb Leopard 18ct yellow gold enamel, Rubies and Diamond Brooch
By David Webb
Located in SYDNEY, AU
A David Webb Leopard Brooch, featuring cabochon cut ruby eyes, Diamond collar and enamel, on 18ct
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
David Webb Leopard Black Enamel Vintage Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Designed as a leopard, in black enamel with gold spots enhanced with circular-cut diamonds, to the
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
David Webb Leopard 18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamonds, Emeralds, Black Enamel Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
round Diamonds, Emerald eyes, and black enamel. Sweet and romantic this Leopard brooch will start
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Signed Fred Paris Enamel Gold Leopard Brooch in 18K
Located in Miami, FL
18 karat yellow gold, enamel, diamond and emerald leopard brooch by Fred, Paris, designed as a
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Leopard Cub Brooch-Pendant with Diamond and Emerald Eyes
Located in New York, NY
A rare and captivating find, this vintage Leopard or Cheetah Cub brooch-pendant is exquisitely
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1960s Frascarolo Enamel Ruby Diamond Gold Leopard Pendant Brooch
By Frascarolo
Located in San Antonio, TX
18kt gold, enamel, diamond, and ruby pendant brooch , designed as a leopard. Signed model FC 750
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Diamond Pave Snow Leopard Brooch Pendant and Gold Necklace
Located in Southampton, PA
, or, as a necklace and brooch set. The necklace is made of luxuriously radiant 18K yellow gold while
White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Gay Freres Leopard Diamond Emerald Brooch Earrings Yellow Gold Set
By Gay Freres
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond & Emerald Leopard Brooch and Earrings Set by Gay Freres . With 34 round
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Sold
H 1.66 in W 2.45 in
Vintage Diamond Leopard Brooch 18 Karat White and Yellow Gold, Emerald and Onyx
Located in Honolulu, HI
Gorgeous vintage diamond leopard brooch in 18K white & yellow gold. This is a stunning brooch of a
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
Diamond Onyx Emerald Gold Leopard Brooch
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold leopard brooch, set with approx. 1.20ctw H/VS-Si diamonds, emerald eyes and onyx
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Gold
David Webb Leopard Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Designed circa 1964, and created in the 1960s–1970s, this leopard brooch by David Webb is composed
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Gold French Leopard Brooch
Located in Palm Beach, FL
An 18K yellow gold brooch measuring 1 7/8 inches long, and 3/4 of an inch wide, detailed with black
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
David Webb Leopard Gold Platinum Emerald Diamond Brooch Pin
By David Webb
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful and classic David Webb animal brooch of a lounging leopard, crafted in 18k yellow gold
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Sapphire 14 Karat Two Tone Gold Leopard Brooch Pin
Located in Boca Raton, FL
diamonds and sapphires. Measuring 2.70 inches in length, the brooch features a beautifully detailed leopard
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Leopard Opal Diamond Sapphire Emerald Brooch in 14K White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
An incredible vintage design solid 14k white gold leopard pin features an 2 carat Ethiopian solid
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
Fred Paris Vintage 18k Gold Enamel Leopard Brooch
By Fred Paris
Located in New York, NY
Fred Paris Vintage 18k Gold Enamel Leopard Brooch Details: 102 round diamonds approx 2.10 cts
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Enamel
Fred of Paris Whimsical Enamel gold Leopard Brooch
By Fred
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Fred Paris Estate Whimsical Leopard Brooch What a personality... and those captivating eyes
Fred Emerald Diamond Gold Leopard Pin
By Fred
Located in Stamford, CT
Fred Emerald Diamond 18k Gold Leopard Pin with diamond collar and Emerald eye. Black enamel spots
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Nouveau Diamond and Gold Leopard Pin, circa 1910s
Located in Idar-Oberstein, DE
leopard sets its sight on and anticipates, is an old European cut diamond weighing approximately 0.2ct.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Diamond and Ruby Leopard Brooch
Located in Greenwich, CT
Vintage diamond, ruby and gold brooch, designed as a leopard lying atop a branch adorned with pavé
Diamond, Ruby
Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond 'Leopard on Branch' Brooch
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Greenwich, CT
Important diamond, sapphire and gold brooch, designed as a leopard lying atop a branch, with
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold...
FRED Enameled 18K Leopard Brooch
By Fred
Located in Southampton, NY
A witty and stylized 60's design from Fred, Paris. This black enameled leopard brooch has gold
Emerald, Diamond
1970s Fred Paris Diamond Emerald Black Enamel Gold Leopard Brooch
By Fred
Located in Beziers, FR
A panther brooch spotted black enamel diamond size 8/8,punctuated eyes emeralds and diamonds 8/8
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Yellow Gold Fred "Léopard" Brooch with Enamel, Diamonds and Emeralds
By Fred
Located in Paris, IDF
A 750/000 yellow gold Fred Leopard brooch. The eyes are set with round emeralds and brilliant cut
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Kutchinsky 18 Karat Yellow Gold, White Diamond, Green Emerald Leopard Brooch
By Joseph Kutchinsky
Located in London , GB
1960s 18 karat gold, enamel and gem set novelty brooch in the form of a leopard with emerald eyes
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage Ruby Diamond Leopard Brooch 9 Karat Yellow Gold, circa 1960s
Located in Preston, Lancashire
This fabulous 9 karat gold ruby and diamond brooch is modeled as a prowling leapard. The smooth
Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
RAMON Barcelona Leopard Enamel Diamond Pin Brooch
Located in Agoura Hills, CA
Crafted in 18K yellow and white gold, accented with diamonds, ruby eyes and black enamel from
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Green Tourmaline & Onyx Leopard Brooch with Diamonds
Located in Kowloon, HK
18K Yellow Gold Green Tourmaline & Onyx Leopard Brooch with Diamonds 1 Green Tourmaline - 5.044 CT
Diamond, Onyx, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
$138,000
Diamond Necklace Tiara
By Diamond Scene New York
Located in New York, NY
A MASTERPIECE! 46.75 carats of white pear, marquise and round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k white gold. The piece can be worn as a necklace and easily converted into a tiara...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage Yellow Gold Diamond Cat Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Vintage 18k yellow gold cat brooch, with approx. 1.10ctw H/SI1 diamonds. Brooch measures 1.25" x 1". Marked 18k on the back. Weight - 10.7 grams.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
$1,220 / item
W 0.44 in L 0.95 in
Stunning Tsavorite & Diamond Panther Pendant in 18K White Gold Fine Jewelry Gift
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Unleash bold elegance with this stunning panther-inspired pendant crafted in 18K white gold. Encrusted with brilliant-cut diamonds weighing a total of 0.71 carats, the design capture...
Diamond, Tsavorite, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
$15,600Sale Price|20% Off
W 2.02 in D 0.65 in L 2.75 in
Cartier 1970 Sculpted Dragon Brooch In 18Kt Yellow Gold With Rubies And Emerald
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Sculpted dragon brooch designed by Cartier. This is an exceptional brooch, created by the iconic jewelry house of Cartier, back in the 1970. This brooch was carefully sculpted in th...
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,408Sale Price|20% Off
W 1.92 in L 0.45 in
14K Yellow Gold Mouse Brooch with Ruby Eyes, Late 20th Century, USA
Located in New York, NY
Charming, whimsical, and utterly collectible — this handmade 14K Yellow Gold Mouse Brooch captures the playful spirit of fine jewelry design. Expertly crafted and weighing 5.10 grams...
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Verdura Lions Paw, Diamond, Turquoise & Gold Brooch
By Verdura
Located in New York, NY
Verdura Lions Paw Diamond & Turquoise Gold Brooch This authentic Verdura brooch is a signature design featuring a natural Lion’s Paw scallop shell. The shell is decorated with ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
CARTIER Diamond, Onyx and Emerald Panthere Clip Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
One of Cartier's most iconic high jewelry lines, Panthère de Cartier, has symbolized elegance and strength since its debut in 1914. Known for its majestic and fierce design, the pant...
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
David Webb Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold Turquoise, Diamond Flower Brooch
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Absolutely stunning David Webb turquoise and diamond brooch crafted in a shape of an exotic flower. Double stem pin. Can also be worn as a pendant. Diamonds: F-G color, vs1-VS2 calr...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Cartier 18K Yellow Gold Panther Pin Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
Show your fierce side with this Cartier panther pin. The iconic motif is crafted in high polish yellow gold with black enamel spots in a ferocious pose. Length: 1.75 inches (approx....
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold Owl Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite estate diamond owl brooch, crafted in France, beautifully captures the elegance and charm of a wise owl perched on a branch. The owl’s body sparkles with approximately...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Panther Pendant 18k Yellow Gold Brooch Estate Fine Animal Jewelry
Located in Torrance, CA
Unique & stylish vintage panther pendant/brooch crafted in 18 karat yellow gold (circa 1980s to 1990s). One small estimated 0.01 carat emerald is set into the eye. The beautifu...
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Butterfly Diamond Sapphire Emerald Ruby Yellow Gold 18k Brooch
Located in Geneva, CH
Butterfly diamond, sapphire, emerald and ruby yellow gold 18K brooch. Height: approximate 4.00 centimeters. Width: 4.50 centimeters. Total weight: 12.15 grams.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Panther Diamond Pin / Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
By Cartier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
The Cartier diamond panther brooch captivates with its elegant craftsmanship, featuring meticulously set diamonds that bring to life the fierce and graceful essence of the iconic pan...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Déco Platinum Diamond Ruby Bird Brooch
Located in Zurich, CH
Adorable Art Déco platinum, diamond and ruby bird brooch. Hand crafted in platinum, this whimsical brooch is designed as a little egret, the body entirely set with rose-cut diamonds...
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
18K Yellow Gold Diamond, Sapphire, and Emerald Panther Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A striking embodiment of elegance and power, this panther brooch is masterfully crafted in 18K yellow gold and adorned with 312 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 10.50 ca...
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
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.