Antique Victorian 1.18ct Diamond Brooch, 14k Yellow Gold, Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive antique diamond brooch has been crafted in 14k yellow gold.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
William Ruser Cupid Harp 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Brooch
Located in Westport, CT
An original William Ruser 14K yellow gold diamond and enamel Cupid harp brooch.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bold Mid-Century 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Knot Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This striking 18K yellow gold brooch features an intricate woven knot design, lavishly set with brilliant-cut diamonds arranged in a geometric lattice pattern.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
French Turquoise and Diamond Grasshopper Brooch in Yellow Gold
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, rare antique 0.06 carat turquoise and 0.27 carat diamond, 14 karat yellow gold grasshopper brooch; part of our diverse gemstone jewellery and estate ...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby & Onyx Bee Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A charming and finely crafted vintage bee brooch, rendered in rich 18K yellow gold with delightful attention to detail.
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Emerald Sapphire 18K Yellow Gold Flower Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Finally, 6.29 carats of fancy yellow and colorless (white) diamonds are spread across the entire piece making it radiate in sparkle and brilliance.
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
10.00 Carat Citrine Peridot Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Peridot, diamond and citrine flower brooch. 6 pear shaped citrines with a round diamond center stone set in 14k yellow gold with two heart shaped peridots. 6 pear shape brownish or...
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Ruby Diamonds 18 Karat Yellow Gold Knot Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, own hallmark. Splendid retro brooch, it forms an openwork knot with gold threads.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold And Platinum Diamond Tree Leaf Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Made in a luxurious combination of 18K yellow gold and platinum, the brooch is styled as a graceful multi-leaf tree branch.
Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Gump’s Diamond 18k Yellow Gold Brooch By Ron McNamer
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Gump's diamond 18k yellow gold brooch by Ron McNamer, circa 1990s.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mabe Pearl Fancy Yellow Diamond Ruby Sapphire and Emerald Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive mabe pearl, 0.12 carat fancy yellow diamond, 0.27 carat ruby, 0.13 carat sapphire and 0.12 carat emerald and 18 karat yellow gold brooch; part of our ...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Butterfly Yellow Gold Brooch with Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
-Vintage -18k yellow gold -Weight: 13.2gr -Diamond: 0.9ct, VS clarity, G color -Sapphire: 0.4ct -Emerald: 0.1ct
Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Ruby Diamond Alligator Brooch 1970s
Located in Towson, MD
One 1970s 18 karat yellow gold diamond and ruby three-dimensional alligator brooch, a sculptural animal jewelry piece of exceptional weight and surface detail, measuring 2.5 x 1 inch...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 4.32 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Double Clip Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 4.32 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set double clip brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-Century Ruby & Diamond Hummingbird Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Mid-Century Ruby & Diamond Hummingbird Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold This charming Mid-Century brooch is crafted in 18k yellow gold and depicts a hummingbird in flight, complete with fi...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Victorian 6.30 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Crescent Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, large antique Victorian 6.30 carat diamond and 9 karat yellow gold, silver set crescent brooch; part of our diverse antique jewellery collections.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Silver
Vintage Diamond and Yellow Gold Rabbit Brooch Circa 1960
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 0.32 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold and 18 karat white gold brooch in the form of a rabbit; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelr...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 2.15 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch Circa 1960
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive diamond and yellow gold brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch or Locket
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A very fine and impressive antique Victorian 0.88Ct old European round cut diamond and 15 karat yellow gold brooch/locket; part of our antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 14k Yellow Gold Seed Pearl and Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This elegant antique brooch is crafted in 14k yellow gold and adorned with delicate seed pearls arranged in a graceful, floral-inspired design.
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique French Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Bow Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique French 0.45 carat sapphire and 0.93 carat diamond, 15 karat yellow gold and silver set brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collection...
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
.20 Carat Ruby Diamond Yellow Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Stamford, CT
Early 1900's horseshoe brooch set with 15 square cut rubies and 12 rose cut diamonds.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ceylon Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch / Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive, large 1.55 carat Ceylon sapphire and 2.20 carat diamond, 10 karat yellow gold and silver set sweetheart brooch/pendant with wings; part of our divers...
Diamond, Sapphire, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
18K White & Yellow Gold Diamond, Ruby & Sapphire Basket Brooch
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
The combination of warm yellow gold, luminous white gold, sparkling diamonds, and vibrant gemstones creates a striking contrast, making this brooch both sophisticated and eye-catchin...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mikimoto 18k Yellow Gold Akoya Pearl Diamond Long Brooch
By Mikimoto
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This authentic estate brooch by Mikimoto is finely crafted in solid 18k yellow gold and reflects the house’s enduring dedication to elegance and detail.
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s Austro-Hungarian Diamond and Yellow Gold Bow Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive diamond brooch has been crafted in 14k yellow gold with a platinum setting.
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold and Enamel and Diamond Leaf Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A beautifully crafted mid-century brooch designed as a cascading leaf, featuring intricate green and amber-toned enamel work over richly textured yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Mid-Century Sapphire & Diamond Giraffe Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Mid-Century Sapphire & Diamond Giraffe Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold This whimsical Mid-Century brooch is crafted in 18k yellow gold and depicts a stylized giraffe with an elongated nec...
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K Yellow Gold Opal Rose Cut Diamond Pendant Brooch Pin
Located in Hallandale Beach, FL
Add a touch of vintage elegance with this Estate 14K yellow gold brooch, featuring two natural oval opals with their signature iridescent glow, accented by 9 brilliant round diamonds.
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond 18 Carat Yellow Gold Open Work Leaf Brooch
Located in London, GB
This wonderful brooch is designed as an open work leaf skeleton crafted from high polish 18 carat yellow gold.
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
10 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Brooch/Pendant #22221
Located in Washington Depot, CT
10 Karat Yellow Gold and Diamond Brooch/Pendant- This exquisite piece features a radiant starburst design with nine round old mine cut diamonds arranged in a symmetrical circular pa...
Diamond, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 2.65 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch, Circa 1950
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive vintage diamond brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow with platinum settings.
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
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.
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s 0.45ct Diamond and 18K Yellow Gold Ribbon Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive vintage 1940s 0.45 carat diamond and 18 karat yellow gold, 18 karat white gold set brooch; part of our diverse diamond jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 14k Yellow Gold Teal Sapphire and Diamond Frog Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This vintage frog brooch is a wonderfully expressive and highly collectible figural piece, set with 0.78ctw of teal sapphires and accented by 0.01ctw of diamond in a warm 14k yellow ...
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Diamond Ruby 18 Karat Yellow Gold Leaf Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow and white gold. Retro brooch, it forms a large amati gold leaf set on one side with two rubies and a diamond.
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold and Platinum Floral Sunburst Diamond Brooch
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This exquisite 18K yellow gold and platinum floral sunburst brooch from the 1970s captures the bold elegance and exceptional craftsmanship of the era.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Diamond and Enamel Yellow Gold and Palladium Sweetheart Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 0.24 carat diamond and enamel, 15 karat yellow gold and palladium sweetheart brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collection...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Palladium, Enamel
Victorian Era 14KT Yellow Gold Cameo Diamond Brooch Pendant
Located in New York, NY
This estate Victorian Era 14KT yellow gold cameo diamond brooch pendant is a timeless piece that showcases both elegance and luxury.
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Gold Dragonfly Brooch, Yellow Sapphires Diamonds
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Paris, FR
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS 18 carat White gold and 18 carat yellow Gold Dragonfly Brooch, Yellow Sapphires and Diamonds.
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$639Sale Price|20% Off
Antique 14K Yellow Gold Diamond Crescent Moon Swirl Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Elevate your accessory collection with this exquisite antique moon-shaped stickpin, crafted from luxurious 14k yellow gold. Weighing a delicate 2 grams, this stunning brooch features...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1900s Diamond, Cultured Pearl and Yellow Gold Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
The pin brooch displays a feature 18k yellow gold collet set old cut fancy yellow 0.45ct diamond.
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Herbert Rosenthal 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Ruby Bee Brooch
By Herbert Rosenthal
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Material: 18k Yellow Gold Weight: 11.7 grams Gemstone: Diamond 2.50 cttw - approximately - stones in mounting Ruby 0.08 cttw Dimensions: 26.5mm x 33.1 mm 15.4 mm Period: 1960's
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Opal Brooch MF20-070226
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
This antique brooch is filled with intricate details. Crafted from 14K Yellow Gold, the openwork design beautifully showcases fiery Opal gemstones and sparkling Diamond accents.
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
$6,000
Diamond Star Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Diamond Star Brooch A star shaped brooch featuring round cut diamonds set in 18 karat yellow gold.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Fancy Yellow Diamond Black Tahitian Pearl 18 Karat Yellow Gold Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Measuring appx. 1.5 x 2.0 inch, the brooch is certain to make a statement. Featuring one 12mm Tahitian pearl in the center, This brooch is pave set with over 250 plus round bril...
Yellow Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
18K Yellow Gold 2.70ct Diamond and Sapphire Brooch MF36-070126
By LB Exclusive
Located in Southampton, PA
A magnificent antique bar brooch in 18K yellow gold, featuring three cushion-cut blue sapphires totaling 2.0 ct set within a sweeping navette of old mine-cut diamonds totaling 2.70 ct.
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
14K Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Starburst Brooch Pendant
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
This striking mid-century floral starburst brooch and pendant is crafted in 14K yellow gold and showcases a dynamic radial design.
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 2.25 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch, circa 1890
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This stunning, fine and impressive gold diamond brooch has been crafted in 12k yellow gold with a silver setting.
Diamond, 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.
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Italian 18K Yellow Gold Sapphire & Diamond Bee Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A charming and finely crafted vintage bee brooch, masterfully made in Italy in solid 18K yellow gold.
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Openwork Filigree Diamond Bar Brooch in 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Bloomington, MN
Antique Openwork Filigree Diamond Bar Brooch in 14k Yellow Gold This elegant antique brooch is crafted in 14k yellow gold and features an elongated openwork filigree design accented...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Rachel Koen Ruby Diamond Floral Long Brooch 18K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
This stunningly beautiful diamond gemstone brooch features a pop of color with round cut rubies, diamonds, and green chrysoprase all studded in a floral pattern design crafted in 18k...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Preowned Cynthia Bach 18K Yellow Gold Rubellite and Diamond Brooch
By Cynthia Bach
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Pre owned vintage estate 18K yellow gold rubellite and diamond brooch with one bezel set faceted pear shaped rubellite weighing approximately 10.00 carats.
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Hallmarked Antique 18kt yellow Gold Pin Brooch with Rubies & Diamonds
Located in Aventura, FL
This striking antique pin brooch is crafted in 18kt yellow gold and set with 12 natural rose-cut diamonds totaling approximately 0.60 carats for soft, antique-style sparkle.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s 0.28ct Diamond and 18k Yellow Gold Spray Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive vintage yellow gold and diamond brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with 18k white gold settings.
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
GIA 14K Yellow Gold Sapphire and Diamond Circle Floral Brooch
Located in Sewickley, PA
A timeless vintage brooch crafted in solid 14K yellow gold featuring a graceful open-circle design with elegant ribbed detailing and a stylized floral motif.
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold Vintage Ruby and Diamond Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
Gorgeous Tiffany & Co. Brooch Features Floral or Anemone Design with Three Center Diamond Solitaires and Round Rubies Throughout Brooch is Approximately 38 mm Wide x 36 mm Long Total...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Ladybird Brooch with Diamonds and Emeralds
Located in Mayfair, London, London
An 18k yellow gold Ladybird brooch. The brooch is set with 6 cabochon emeralds throughout the body and 10 round brilliant cut diamonds set in the head.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bee Brooch with Square Yellow Sapphires, Diamonds, Ruby Eyes in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Pre owned vintage estate 18K yellow gold sapphire bee pin. The body of the bee has 67 invisibly set square cut natural yellow sapphires with an approximate total weight of 8.71 cara...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.