When Enrico Grassi Damiani opened a goldsmith workshop in Valenza, Italy, in 1924, he established a brand that would completely change the jewelry industry. The seductive shapes that he sketched were translated into sculptural gold Damiani necklaces and rings and accented with diamonds and other precious stones, garnering the attention of Italy’s upper class. The jeweler’s designs, inspired by cityscapes as often as they were flowers and other natural-world forms, would find loyal patrons in the wealthy and now are celebrated as timeless works.
Even today, a ring Damiani designed during the early 20th century in tribute to Queen Margherita continues to inspire the Margherita collection with its daisies of diamonds and gold. One of Damiani’s 1920s designs was the Charleston necklace, a collier with a feather shape adorned with approximately 1,000 diamonds, inspired by revolutionary American-born French dancer and singer Josephine Baker, who’d taken to the stage sometimes clad in little more than pearl jewelry and a feather skirt.
For the next 40 years, Damiani maintained its status as the premier jeweler to Italy’s elite, adapting to restrictions on materials during World War II with pieces that saw an innovative integration of metal alloys and iron. After the war, Damiani’s son, Damiano Grassi Damiani, took over the family business and catapulted the Damiani name onto the international stage.
In the 1970s, Damiano led Damiani to become one of De Beers’s main partners, associating the Italian name with luxury and opulence in high-quality diamonds. He also introduced catalogues, which guaranteed fixed pricing, something radical for fine jewelry. In 1976, Damiani won the prestigious Diamonds International Award for its Shark bracelet, which Damiano’s wife, Gabriella Colombo Damiani, designed using two-toned gold and diamonds.
Following Damiano’s death in 1996, Gabriella took the helm, bringing on her three children — Silvia, Guido and Giorgio — to help oversee the company’s creative direction. In the 2000s, its expansion included new boutiques around the world as well as celebrity collaborations, such as the line of jewelry designed by actor Brad Pitt and goldsmiths in Valenza now available for customers as the D.Side.
Other celebrity partnerships included Sharon Stone, who collaborated on the Maji line to support clean water in Africa, and the Sophia Loren collection, which was inspired by the iconic style of the Italian actress. In 2009, Damiani designed the Harlequin Fantasy Bra for the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show. The garment took 15 artisans more than 800 hours to craft by hand using 2,355 colorless and cognac-colored diamonds.
Today, the company continues to innovate creatively on its heritage with an eye toward the future, from the timeless Belle Époque collection, inspired by the sketches of founder Enrico Grassi Damiani, to diamond-adorned Apple watch covers.
Find a collection of Damiani jewelry for sale on 1stDibs.
Signed Damiani 18k Gold & Diamond Crab Shaped Brooch or Pin
By Damiani
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed 18K gold & diamond figural brooch or pin. By Damiani, the renowned Italian jewelers. In the form of a crab with a diamond studded shell and gold claws. Set with 14 s...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$5,170
H 1.35 in W 1.25 in
Signed Gio Caroli Diamond 18k Gold Rose Flower Brooch Pin Estate Fine Jewelry
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Vintage Designer GIO CAROLI Rose Brooch. Hand crafted in rich 18K Yellow Gold with the Top Petal Pavé Hand set with Brilliant Cut Diamonds...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Gold Ruby Hummingbird Pin / Brooch Enameled
Located in Wallkill, NY
Delicate hummingbird with spectacular enamel work on the Body and the head. Look at those Ruby Eyes. Measures 1.63"top to bottom x .60" at its widest. Hummingbird motif has been wi...
18k Gold, Enamel
$3,380
W 1.15 in L 2.95 in
Vintage Turquoise and Diamond Pin/Brooch in 18k Yellow Gold & 18k White Gold
Located in La Jolla, CA
Vintage Turquoise and Diamond Pin/Brooch in 18k Yellow & White Gold Turquoise and Diamond Brooch features 5 Stalks of Wheat made of Round Cabochon Turquoise clusters and sprinkled ...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 18K Yellow Gold Diamond & Pearl Enameled Pin Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A Refined Fusion of Color and Classic Elegance Indulge in the charm of a bygone era with this Antique 18K Yellow Gold Pin Brooch, beautifully accented by a 0.10-carat round diamond, ...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
18k Gold Brooch Vintage Cat Pin Gemstones
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This cat brooch has a charming, lifelike quality. The matte gold finish gives the cat a soft appearance, as if it's been captured mid-pose. Its slender body and gracefully curved tai...
18k Gold
18K White Gold 2 7/8 Cttw Diamond Feather Brooch Pin
Located in New York, NY
Captivate the essence of elegance and refined taste with this resplendent 18K white gold brooch, shaped impeccably into a delicate feather that symbolizes freedom and grace. Radiatin...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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
SPECTACULAR 18K/Diamond Crab Brooch
Located in Cohasset, MA
Genuinely SPECTACULAR 18k Yellow Gold Crab Brooch measuring 2 1/4 X 1 1/2". The textured body contrasts superbly withing it's brightly polished claws. This wonderful life like broo...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Cartier Diamond Elephant Brooch Pin Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Signed Jewelry
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Finley detailed Cartier diamond elephant brooch crafted in 18k yellow gold (circa 1980s to 1990s) Pave set diamonds total an estimated 0.50 c...
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Coral and Diamond Crab Brooch – 18K Yellow Gold – Exquisite Nautical
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Vintage Coral and Diamond Crab Brooch – 18K Yellow Gold – Exquisite Nautical Fine Jewelry Add a touch of timeless charm and oceanic elegance to your collection with this exquisite ...
Coral, Diamond, Yellow Gold
Chaumet Retro Brooch 18k Gold Diamond Pin Estate Jewelry
By Chaumet
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A French chic retro diamond brooch by Chaumet Paris made of 18 karat gold and platinum. During the Retro jewelry era, scrolls became one of the most popular design motifs. In this brooch Chaumet perfected the fluidity of the scroll shape. The designer created a great feeling of dynamic in a static jewelry piece. An abstract shape yellow gold part smoothly rolls into a platinum element set in the center. The latter is embellished with Old European and Old Mine cut diamonds. This high-polished gold brooch by Chaumet Paris has undeniable retro style. However, due to its minimalist contemporary look, this French diamond brooch can be considered a timeless classic. This Retro Chaumet brooch is made of 18 karat yellow gold and platinum, and accented with Old European cut and old mine cut diamonds (K-M color, VS clarity, total weight approximately 4.50 carats). The Retro pin measures 2 ½” x 1 ¼” (6 x 3 cm) and weighs 35.4 grams. The Retro gold brooch is stamped with Chaumet maker's and workshop marks, serial number, French hallmarks for 18 karat gold and platinum. About Chaumet Brand: Being the first jeweler to arrive on now famous Place Vendôme in 1812, Chaumet jewelry has been staying an expression of traditional Parisian style ever since. Chaumet pieces have long been a favorite with the French aristocrats. In 19th century, Joséphine Bonaparte, the Empress of the French and the first wife of Emperor Napoleon, was one of the brand’s famous clients and appreciators. Fast forward two centuries, Chaumet style is based on exploration of all things of nature. The brand itself calls it “naturalist jewelry”. The Maison’s designers use symbolism of plants, opulence of gardens and delicacy of grass to permeate Chaumet jewelry creations with the energy of the wild nature. In the modern world, the most popular Chaumet collections are the Liens, the Bee My Love and the Josephine. About Vintage...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
$8,700
H 1.75 in W 1.25 in D 0.5 in
French Vintage Brooch Pin Clip 18k Gold Emerald Estate Jewelry Signed J W
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A joyful, bright vintage gold clip brooch from our French brooches collection. You can see it as an exotic flower or a ripe berry. Either way, this brooch is a true piece of art made with perfection in mind. An opulent flower/berry part is underlined with delicate leaves set with diamonds. The tiny branch looks hyper natural that is a signature of the time of production. This vintage French brooch...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Damiani Diamond Brooch Convertible Pendant / Brooch / Bracelet
By Damiani
Located in Geneva, CH
Bracelet / brooch / pendant Metal: white gold / silver Icy diamonds ct tot 7,25 Diamonds ct tot 0,49 Sapphires ct tot 0,27 Gold gr tot 22 Silver gr tot 25 Total weight gr 94,6
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, Silver
Damiani Diamond Sapphire Flower Brooch
By Damiani
Located in Geneva, CH
Brooch Diamonds, sapphires Metal: white gold Diamonds ct tot 8,97 GH VVS-VS Sapphires ct tot 14,82 Gold gr tot 42,6 Total weight gr 46,4
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Damiani Butterfly Diamond Gold Brooch Convertible Pendant / Bracelet
By Damiani
Located in Geneva, CH
Bracelet / brooch / pendant mounted on white gold / silver. Diamonds: 1.45 carat. Color G/H. Brown diamonds: 7.30 carats. Fancy yellow diamonds: 1.36 carat. Aquamarine: 1.60 carat. G...
Aquamarine, Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Gold, White Gold, Si...
Damiani Full Diamond Pave White Gold Large Cocktail Ring
By Damiani
Located in Southampton, PA
Accompanied by the prestigious sheen of gold, the dazzling diamonds in this fabulous ring glisten in an exceptionally alluring manner, lending their lustrous brilliance to the piece....
White Diamond, White Gold
Damiano Grassi Diamond Gold Pendant Brooch and Belt Buckle
By Damiani
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
This very unique piece is a creation signed by Damiano Grassi probably in the late 1960's, Damiano Grassi being the man who took Daminani from retailer to what it is now. It is a Pe...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel