Star Sapphire Broach
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Star Sapphire, Platinum
Early 2000s Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
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Vintage 1920s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1960s Unknown Dangle Earrings
Coral
Vintage 1960s American More Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
Antique 19th Century Victorian Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Pocket Watches
Diamond, Platinum
Antique 1890s English Victorian Brooches
Sterling Silver, Enamel
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Antique 1870s Unknown Victorian Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1930s Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1910s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Vintage 1930s Japanese Art Deco Fashion Rings
Mixed Metal, Shakudo
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.
- Is a star sapphire rare?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023Yes, a star sapphire is rarer than other types of sapphires. The gemstones get their name from the natural starburst effect that appears on their faces when you view them under a single overhead light. On 1stDibs, shop a range of star sapphire gemstone jewelry.
- What is a pink star sapphire?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A pink star sapphire is a rare and unique gem that is characterized by its star pattern and pale red or pink hue. You can shop a collection of expertly vetted gems from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term blue star sapphire means a blue corundum stone that displays a six-pointed star when viewed in the light. Blue star sapphires are usually polished cabochons rather than cut gems. On 1stDibs, find a variety of blue star sapphire gemstone jewelry.
- Are purple star sapphires rare?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Yes, natural purple star sapphires are rarer than sapphires of other colors like blue. Natural purple star sapphires come in a variety of hues from light lavender to deep violet. Sapphires can even be colorless, or white, although examples are very rare, since the corundum from which they are formed has to have been untouched by any other element. Non-blue colored sapphires are referred to as “fancy sapphires” and can be pink, purple, orange, yellow or green. Shop a collection of vintage and modern sapphire jewelry from some of the world’s top jewelers on 1stDibs.
- Are star sapphires real gems?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Yes, natural star sapphires are real gems. The star-like reflective effect comes from inclusions present in the gemstones. Keep in mind that some jewelry features man-made star sapphires rather than natural stones, making it important that you purchase from reputable jewelers or online platforms. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of expertly vetted star sapphire gemstone jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023One way to tell if a star sapphire is natural is to shine a flashlight on it while in total darkness. On a genuine star sapphire, the light that reflects off of the stone will be the same color as the stone. Glass and other materials used to create synthetic stones may show reflections in different colors. To be certain of the authenticity of a gemstone, take it to an experienced jeweler or appraiser for an evaluation. On 1stDibs, find a selection of star sapphire jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021A blue star sapphire has a transparent body with a deep blue color. A blue star sapphire ring’s worth depends on the 4Cs — color, clarity, cut and carat. Prices for a blue star sapphire ring can also differ according to size and time period. These accessories begin at $449 and can cost as much as around $200,000 or more. On 1stDibs, shop a range of vintage blue star sapphire rings.
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