Vintage Mikimoto Yellow Gold Akoya Pearl Leaf Brooch
By Mikimoto
Located in New York, NY
Ten Akoya cultured pearls follow sweeping gold stems in this vintage leaf brooch by Mikimoto.
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
Platinum 2.10ct Diamond Pearl Swirl Brooch MF07-070226
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A magnificent platinum scrollwork brooch featuring a central 7.6mm pearl surrounded by round brilliant and baguette diamonds in an elegant swirling openwork design.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Vintage Emerald, Diamond & Cultured Pearl French Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Rendered in 67.90 grams of 18K white gold, the piece features a dynamic, swirling architectural silhouette that captures the glamour of the era. The brooch is lavishly set with appr...
Diamond, Emerald, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Starburst Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Starburst Brooch Description: A striking antique starburst brooch centered with a natural silvery-gray pearl, radiating outward with alternating diamond-s...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Platinum Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Platinum Brooch An elegant Art Deco brooch, exquisitely crafted in platinum, featuring a striking marquise-shaped design adorned with luminous pearls and...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Yellow Gold Old Diamond & Pearl Textured Work Round Pin Brooch Pendant
Located in Montclair, NJ
--Stone(s):-- (1) Natural Genuine Diamond - Old European Cut - Prong Set - Fiery White Color - 0.28ct (approx.) (6) Natural Genuine Diamonds - Old European & Old Mine Cut - Prong Set...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5 mm M288 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 5 Akoya Cultured Pe...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 5.05 mm M279 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 5.30 - 5...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Platinum 1.0ct Diamond and Pearl Brooch MF15-070126
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A sleek, streamlined design makes this luxury brooch incredibly chic. Set in Platinum, sparkling Diamonds with a total weight of 1.0 carats allow it to seemingly radiate light. Pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Carved Jade Pearl Ruby Gold Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
14k gold vintage butterfly brooch, with carved jade wings, 6.3 - 6.5mm pearls and ruby eyes. Brooch measures 2.775" x 1.75". Marked 14k. Weight - 12.4 grams.
Jade, Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 4.65 mm M280 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate sterling silver brooch has 3 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls 4.65 MM and h...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Pin Sterling Silver 4.5 mm M270 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Silver brooch has 8 Saltwater Akoya Cultured Pearls ranging in size from 4.5 mm wi...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
Antique Pearl and Ruby Golf Club Brooch
Located in London, GB
The shaft is adorned with square calibre cut pink rubies, adding a touch of vibrancy. A round white pearl, serving as the golf ball, is set near the club's head, enhancing its unique...
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl Bird Brooch
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Cultured Pearl Bird Brooch – Stamped 1935 & 1975 A finely designed and crafted vintage 18K yellow gold bird brooch set with two silver-colored cultured pearl...
Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold
8.68grams Pearl & Diamond 18KT white gold brooch
Located in Boca Raton, FL
White gold brooch with 18KT gold, pearls and diamonds, weighing 8.68 grams. The year is unknown as well as the artist. Why buy from us among others? -We consider all offers please s...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Gold Pearl Diamond Ruby Sapphire Sombrero Brooch
Located in New York, NY
14k gold brooch, depicting a man in sombrero hat, with 28mm blister pearl, rubies, sapphires and diamonds (1 is missing). Brooch measures 65mm x 30mm. Tested 14k. Weight - 31.8 grams.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Victorian, GIA Natural Pearl and Diamond Brooch
Located in Chicago, IL
This rare Victorian brooch boasts a beautiful GIA graded natural pearl measuring 10.36 x 9.38 mm with white body color and pink overtone, surrounded by very nice quality chunky old m...
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mings Small Pearl Brooch 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Brooch Specifications: Designer: Ming's Hawaii Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Pearls: Akoya Pearls Total Weight: 6.1 Grams Brooch Measurements: 1.75" x 0.95" Stamped: "Mings" "14K" Co...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fleur De Lis 14k Gold Seed Pearl Brooch
Located in New York, NY
FLEUR DE LIS SEED PEARL BROOCH -Metal: 14k Gold -Dimension: 21.8mm x 17.4mm -Weight: 3 gr
Pearl, 14k Gold
19th Century Miniature and Pearls on Silver Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in silver. Delicate antique jewel, this antique brooch is formed of a miniature surrounded by half- natural pearls. The clasp is a pin with safety hook. Diameter of the pearls...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Silver
Levian Dog Pin Brooch Pendant 18k Gold Diamond Pearl Emerald Mother Pearl
Located in Northbrook, IL
More details: Metal: 18k gold Stones: pave set white clear diamonds, 8mm Akoya pearl, round emeralds, black stone (or enamel) and mother of pearl Measurements: ~1 1/4" tall 1" wide W...
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
Platinum Gold Diamond Pearl Ruby Bird Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Bird Brooch Pin From the Retro and Art Deco eras Beautiful detail workmanship Platinum & 18k Gold Mother of Pearl /Shell, Diamonds, Ruby, and Enamel Approx weight: 12 grams...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Platinum
Pearls, 18 Karat Rose Gold Retrò Brooch.
Located in Marcianise, CE
Retrò brooch in 18 kt rose gold structure mounted with pearls. Pearls 1.30 gr Total Weight 4.70 RF +UUUH For any information, feel free to contact the seller through the message ce...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Edwardian Turquoise & Pearl Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Antique Turquoise & Pearl Brooch 15ct Gold Circa 1910 A beautifully preserved Edwardian bar brooch crafted in warm 15ct yellow gold, featuring a delicate floral motif set wit...
Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 15k Gold
Akoya Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Ribbon Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This beautiful brooch consist of very fine white Akoya pearls measuring 6mm to 8mm in diameter.
Diamond, Oriental Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Platinum 1.0ct Diamond and Pearl Brooch MF19-082526
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Three lustrous pearls are bezel-set along the center of the bar, flanked by round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 1.00 carat.
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Pearl & Diamond Pave Brooch 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Sugar Land, TX
Pear & Diamond Pave Brooch 14k Yellow Gold Experience the elegance and luxury of our Pearl & Diamond Pave Brooch, a true masterpiece crafted in 14k Yellow Gold. This exquisite brooc...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
De Grisogono Pearl, Diamond and Pink Sapphire Brooch
By de GRISOGONO
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful blossoming floral design brooch, Impressive 19.1mm pearl surrounded with petals incrusted with diamond & pink sapphire. Estimated weight of diamonds is 11.53cts E...
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
Platinum 3.80ct Diamond and Pearl Brooch MF27-020326
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A curved Platinum setting adds dimension to this uniquely elegant brooch. Rows of Pearls provide this piece with a luminous quality, while Diamonds with a total weight of 3.80 carats...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Platinum 3.65ct Diamond and Pearl Brooch MF44-020326
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
Add a touch of drama to any ensemble with this luxury brooch. The Platinum setting features a dynamic, asymmetrical design, which is elevated by inset Diamonds with a total weight of...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
12.00 Carat Emerald 8.00 Carat Round Diamond 5.2MM Pearl 14K Gold Pin Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Title: 12.00 Carat Emerald 8.00 Carat Round Brilliant G SI1 Diamond 2.00 Carat Pearl 0.20 Carat Marquis Shape Ruby 14 Karat Two Tone Gold Pin Brooch Style: Pin Metal: 14 Karat Two To...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
18K YG Flower Pin Brooch with 1.5 Carat Round H VS Diamonds and Pearl
Located in New York, NY
Detailed Description: Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Pin Brooch, 1.5 Carat Diamond, Pearl DESCRIPTION: This vintage pin brooch showcases an elegant fusion of 18K yellow gold and precious ge...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian Pearl Half Moon Brooch, c.1900s
Located in London, GB
From the turn of the century, this charming half moon brooch features a row of graduating split pearls along its length. Crafted entirely in 9 carat yellow gold the 2.5mm diameter mo...
Pearl, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Diamond and Pearl Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive pearl bar brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14 Karat Yellow Gold and Pearl Brooch / Pin
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage 14 Karat Yellow Gold and Pearl Brooch/Pendant- This lovely brooch is crafted in beautifully detailed 14K yellow gold and features ten white pearls. Size: 48 mm x 34 mm Wei...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Gold Diamond Ruby Pearl Pendant/Brooch
Located in Marcianise, CE
Pendant/Brooch in 14kt yellow and white gold composed of a central pearl surrounded by a crown of rubies with a base of diamonds and fancy diamonds. gold 9.00gr diamonds 0.75kt rubie...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum 0.75ct Diamond, Ruby, and Pearl Brooch MF08-082526
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This estate platinum brooch features two rows of lustrous cultured pearls accented by round brilliant-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.75 carats and vibrant ruby highlights.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Trio Pearl and Diamond Flowers Brooch
By Trio
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k white and yellow gold featuring Pearls and Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing a total of approximately 4.00 carats, G-H color, VS1-VS2 clarity. Signed by Tri...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique 15ct Gold Victorian Pearl Flower Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
ntique Pearl Flower Brooch 15ct Yellow Gold Stamped Victorian Circa 1890 Hallmarked Chester Beautiful, Victorian double bar brooch. Features a centre flower set with a pretty, ...
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Victorian 15k Gold Multicolored Pearl Brooch, Circa 1895
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 im...
Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold
Victorian Seed Pearl and Ruby Yellow Gold Bird Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian seed pearl and 0.04 carat ruby, 15 karat yellow gold swallow brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine an...
Natural Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
Natural Pearl Rose Gold Sea Captains Wife Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Indulge in timeless elegance with this 1790's navette shaped brooch of a hand painted woman looking out into the sea leaning on the ships anchor surrounded by 40 half pearls. Natural...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Charming Enamel and Seed Pearl Malard Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Charming Enamel and Seed Pearl Malard Brooch from the late 19th Century. Beautifully detailed with enamel and seed pearls. Wonderfully realistic foliage with cat tails. Central belly...
Pearl, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Onyx and Pearl Mourning Brooch 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Brooch Specifications: Metal: 14k Yellow Gold Stones: Cultured Pearls and Black Onyx Total Weight: 13.2 Grams Brooch Measurements: 2.3125" x 0.5" Stamped: "14k" Condition: Preo...
Pearl, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Pin Brooch with 0.1ct Round G VS1 Diamonds 1.6ct Emerald & Pearl
Located in New York, NY
Video: Video Link Detailed Description: Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Pearl Emerald Diamond Pin Brooch 51.3g DESCRIPTION: Unveil timeless elegance with this vintage 18K yellow gold pin bro...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Edwardian Enamel, Pearl and Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
Child & Child are London jewelers made up of two brothers, Walter and Harold. They founded a joint firm in 1880. This piece could be worn as a brooch or a pendant. The Child & Child...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, White Gold, Enamel
Vintage Sapphire and Seed Pearl Bar Brooch
Located in Coral Gables, FL
14 karat yellow gold narrow bar pin featuring 13 bezel-set round cornflower blue sapphires totaling 0.65 carats accented by 12 seed pearls. 3 inches long with pin and locking catch a...
Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Victorian 15ct Gold Seed Pearl Bow Brooch
Located in Brighton, GB
Victorian Bow Brooch 15ct Gold Circa 1880’s Pretty, Victorian Bow Shaped Gold Brooch. Set with Natural Seed Pearls. Measures Approx Width 40.5mm & Height 13mm All of our item...
Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
$18,077 / item
South Sea Pearl & Diamonds 18K Gold Brooch/Pemdant
Located in New Delhi, Delhi
An exquisite South Sea Pearl & Diamonds Brooch/pendant in a chic and sophisticated design , so elegant and refined style ! Elevate your timeless of beauty and add a touch of charme a...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage Butterfly Brooch with pearls and diamonds insect
Located in Milano, MI
Vintage brooch depicting a butterfly set in 18ct two tone gold, finely decorated with huit-huit cut diamonds for 0.80ct total c.a. and cultured sea water pearls. Highlights: - 18ct ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Antique Precious Pink Topaz Emerald Pearl Gold Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Antique 14k gold brooch, set with pearls, emeralds and precious pink topaz. Brooch comes in a fitter original box, measures 30mm in diameter. Weight of the piece - 8.3 grams.
Emerald, Pearl, Topaz, Gold
Antique Seed Pearl and Yellow Gold Bird Bar Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive Austro-Hungarian seed pearl and 15 karat yellow gold bird brooch; part of our diverse antique jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This exce...
Pearl, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm
By Mikimoto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya Pearl Brooch Sterling Silver 5 mm M342 This elegant Authentic Mikimoto Estate Akoya pearl brooch pin is made of sterling silver and has 4 Akoya Cultu...
Pearl, Sterling Silver
9ct Gold Citrine & Pearl Brooch 1960s Era
Located in London, GB
Beautiful 9ct Gold Bark branches design with Tangerine Citrine with genuine pearl. Stunning brooch the photographs do not do it justice - much better in real life. really reflective...
Citrine, Pearl, Gold
Platinum & Gold Natural Pearl Brooch With Fun Filigree Design
Located in Sewickley, PA
This exquisite brooch showcases a delicate and refined design. Crafted in platinum and gold, the piece features intricate openwork filigree that creates a light, lace-like appearance...
Pearl, Platinum
1930s Natural Pearl Diamond Platinum Tassel Brooch Pendant
Located in Roma, RM
A sophisticated jewel from the 1930s, this brooch-pendant perfectly captures the elegance and refinement of the Art Deco era. Designed with versatility in mind, the piece can be worn...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Platinum Bar Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco Pearl and Diamond Platinum Bar Brooch Description: This graceful Art Deco brooch features a refined composition of diamonds and pearls arranged along a platinum bar, creati...
Diamond, Pearl, Platinum
Antique Natural Pearl and Diamond Drop Bar Brooch
Located in London, GB
At the centre, we find a single round faceted old mine cut diamond suspending a gorgeous drop pearl below, adding a touch of elegance.
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Gold Diamond Ruby Emerald Pearl Butterfly Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An 18k yellow gold larger butterfly brooch pin, set with rose cut diamonds, pearls, emeralds and rubies. Brooch measures 2" x 3". Tested 18k, not marked. Weight - 34.2 grams.
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Gold
Mikimoto Pearl Leaf Branch Brooch 14k White Gold
By Mikimoto
Located in Honolulu, HI
Item Specifications: Designer: Mikimoto Metal: 14k white gold Gemstones: 11 akoya pearls Pearl Diameter: ~5.7 mm - 7.0 mm Brooch Diameter: 2.2" x 1.65" Total Weight: 16.3 grams Stam...
Pearl, 14k Gold, White 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.
The pearl has been synonymous with ladylike elegance since the Tudor period — learn what to look for when shopping for vintage and antique pearl jewelry as well as how to tell the origin of a pearl with our handy primer.
Every woman at some point in her life desires a simple strand of pearls. They are elegant, timeless, versatile — just ask Coco Chanel or Jacqueline Kennedy — and valuable. In 1917, Pierre Cartier famously traded a double-strand of natural pearls for a Fifth Avenue mansion, the Cartier brand’s flagship store ever since. And if you were born in the beginning of summer, pearl is the June birthstone.
It is possible to tell where a pearl originated from its appearance. Akoyas are usually round and white — the classic pearl, if you will. South Sea pearls are normally larger and vary in color; orangey yellow ones are not uncommon. Tahitian pearls are mostly black but can also be gray or brown, and between the Akoya and the South Sea varieties in size. Freshwater pearls, or Orientals, run the gamut in terms of color and size, but in shape, they tend to resemble Rice Krispies. Another important distinction is a round pearl versus a baroque pearl. A round pearl is self-explanatory, but there are two types of baroque pearls: symmetrical and asymmetrical. In general, the symmetrical variation commands a higher valuation. Within a strand of pearls, uniformity is prized — the more the individual pearls resemble one another, the more valuable the strand.
According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the earliest recorded mention of a pearl was in 2206 BC by a Chinese historian. Centuries later, Christopher Columbus made it a point to visit pearl fisheries during his 15th-century exploration of the Caribbean. Since the late-19th century, the Japanese have been at the forefront of cultivating pearls, when jeweler Kokichi Mikimoto successfully cultured the world’s first pearl in 1893.
On 1stDibs, find vintage and antique pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and other accessories.
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.