Herbert Rosenthal Bee
Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-18th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, White Diamond, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s American Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s British Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Asian Early Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Link Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century English Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Brooches
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
Vintage 1970s American Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
Ruby, Diamond
20th Century American Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Brooches
Diamond, Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Citrine, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Brooches
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Brooches
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Modern Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Unknown Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1970s American Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Herbert Rosenthal Bee For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Herbert Rosenthal Bee?
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 rings, vintage 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 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.