Antique Victorian Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold Cockerel Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive 0.14 carat diamond and 0.1 carat ruby, 15k yellow gold and 15 karat white gold set 'cockerel' brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections.
Diamond, Ruby, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold
A Gold and Silver Crescent Brooch with Diamonds
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A 13.56-carat gold crescent brooch with 62 old-cut diamonds and 4 rose diamonds (app. 4 carats) set in silver, circa 1860.
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Tourmaline and Diamond Paisley Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Tourmaline and Diamond Paisley Brooch A yellow gold brooch designed in a paisley motif, set with a round cut diamond set in a heart shaped setting at the center, accented by round d...
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
18K Gold, Emerald and Diamond Owl Clip- Brooch
Located in New York, NY
A Stunning 18K gold, Emerald and Diamond Owl Clip- Brooch 15.1 dwt with 2 round Emeralds, and 6 Round Diamonds marked made in France, Measured approximately: 29 mm and 24.77mm Inlay...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Diamond Platinum and 14K white Gold Saxophone Brooch Pendant
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
A contemporary brooch featuring a sleek saxophone design, embellished with round white diamonds.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
14 Karat Gold and Diamond Fern Brooch Pin
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A beautifully textured 14 karat gold 'fern' style brooch pin set with diamonds. The tapered and textured fern is centrally set with a single semi modern brilliant cut diamond of G co...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
$7,420Sale Price|20% Off
Platinum and White Gold Diamond and Sapphire Brooch, Circa 1940s
Located in Braintree, GB
Specifications: Material: Platinum and white gold Period: Circa 1940s Design: Stylised ribbon scroll brooch set with diamonds and sapphires Condition Report: Very good vintage condi...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1990s Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Insect Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive 0.43 carat ruby and 0.04 carat diamond, 18 karat yellow gold 'insect' brooch; part of our diverse vintage jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Two Tone 18K Gold and Diamond Flower Brooch
By Cartier
Located in Hicksville, NY
Cartier Two Tone 18K Gold and Diamond Flower Brooch Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 34.4 grams Diamond Details: .50ct total weight, F Colo...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Emerald and Diamond Foliage Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This vintage brooch is crafted in 18k yellow gold and features a dynamic foliage design set with vibrant emeralds totaling approximately 8.02 carats and diamonds totaling approximate...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Peridot and Diamond Brooch
Located in London, GB
Above and below we find a trio of carre-cut diamonds, enhancing the brooch's sophisticated symmetry before a duo of smaller stones completes the ensemble at either end.
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Platinum
18 Karat Yellow Gold Platinum and Diamond Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage platinum and 18 karat yellow gold bar brooch, with brilliant diamonds for a total of 1.2 karats and a large central onyx, Italy 1900s-1920s Length 12.5cm
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Diamond and Emerald Bird Brooch, 2.03ct Diamonds
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A unique 18k yellow gold diamond and emerald brooch. The brooch comprises of a bird motif with moving wings.
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Ruby and Diamond Brooch
Located in London, GB
Surrounding this primary stone is an array of old mine cut diamonds with their white brilliance enhancing the brooch's intricate curves.
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Sapphires, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Turtle Brooch/Pendant.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Fashion turtle brooch / pendant in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with diamonds on the head, legs, tail and body.
Diamond, Sapphire, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Diamond and Sapphire Flower Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Diamond and Sapphire Flower Brooch This sculptural mid-century brooch is crafted in 14K yellow and white gold and features a bold abstract floral form.
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Retro Flato gold, ruby, and diamond hand brooch watch
By Paul Flato
Located in New York, NY
A Retro gold, ruby, and diamond brooch in the form of a lady's hand holding a watch, and further embellished with a diamond eternity band and ruby bracelet with a diamond charm, in 1...
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Antique Diamond and Ruby Yellow Gold and Silver Bird Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This antique gold bird brooch is supplied with an independent diamond grading report card.
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Silver
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
14K White Gold 0.65ct Diamond and Ruby Butterfly Brooch
Located in Broomall, PA
4K White Gold 0.65ct Diamond and Ruby Butterfly Brooch Gleaming in 14K white gold, this delicate butterfly’s beauty is brought to life by a combination of diamonds and rubies.
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Antique Ruby and Diamond eye brooch, boxed, 9k gold
Located in NEWARK, GB
The gems are set into sterling silver and the body of the brooch along with the fastenings is 9ct yellow gold.
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
Edwardian Style Diamond and Silver Upon Gold Bow Brooch
Located in London, GB
An Edwardian style diamond and silver-upon-gold bow brooch, set with old-cut diamonds and smaller rose-cut diamonds, in an openwork geometric and foliage design, in silver settings u...
Diamond, Gold, Silver
14K White Gold and Diamond Cameo Brooch Pendant #23615
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K White Gold and Diamond Cameo Brooch Pendant- This elegant vintage cameo features a finely carved profile of a lovely lady adorned with beautifully detailed flowers.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Victorian Ruby and Diamond Yellow Gold Horse Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique diamond pin brooch has been crafted in 18k yellow gold with an 18k white gold setting in the form of a horse.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,430Sale Price|47% Off
Blackened White Gold Tsavorite and Diamond Tulip Brooch
Located in Lucerne, CH
fyi: we carry a matching brooch with rubies and one with brown diamonds on stock!
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 14K Yellow Gold Diamond and Ruby Penguin Brooch
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A charming and finely crafted vintage penguin brooch, beautifully executed in solid 14K yellow gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
14K White Gold and Diamond Cameo Brooch/Pendant #22985
Located in Washington Depot, CT
14K White Gold and Diamond Cameo Brooch/Pendant- This elegant cameo features a lovely lady in profile adorned with floral details.
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Victorian Diamond and Enamel Yellow Gold Duck Pin Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Victorian 0.21 carat diamond and 14 karat yellow gold stick pin brooch in the form of a duck; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Natural Pearl and Diamond Yellow Gold and Silver Set Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive 0.90 carat diamond and natural pearl, 15 karat yellow gold and silver set bar brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collectio...
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 15k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
A brooch in gold, platinum and diamond By Cuzi
Located in New York, NY
Features: • Category: Brooch • Primary Stone: Diamond • Primary Carat Weight: 2.1 • Primary Stone Color: White • Metals: Gold, Platinum • Date: 1960 • Style: Retro • Country: Italy •...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Victorian 3.90 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Snake Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A magnificent antique Victorian 3.90 carat diamond and 9 karat yellow gold, silver set heart and snake design brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry collections.
Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
TIFFANY & CO. 18K Yellow Gold Ruby and Diamond Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
The interplay between the warm gold, vivid rubies, and sparkling diamonds creates a balanced yet eye-catching aesthetic.
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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
Yellow Gold Contemporary Brooch with Diamonds and Cabochon Drop
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
18 karat yellow gold Plum Blossom brooch with smoky quartz cabochon crop encrusted with 5 round diamonds.
Diamond, White Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Whi...
Vintage Italian Diamond and White Gold Poodle Brooch, 1994
Located in London, GB
A vintage diamond poodle brooch, with pavé set diamonds, mounted in 18ct white gold, with a yellow gold collar, with an Italian mark and a London import Hallmark and u date letter fo...
Diamond, White Gold
Ruby Pearl and Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Ruby Pearl and Diamond Brooch A brooch featuring oval cut rubies, a marquise cut ruby and round cur diamonds, suspending a gray pearl Measurements: 2.5" long Ruby Weight: 4.20 c...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
7.20 ct Diamond, Platinum and Gold Scroll-and-Spray Clip Brooch
Located in Lisboa, PT
Elegant and sculptural, this clip brooch showcases a sophisticated scroll motif crafted in platinum 900 and 18 kt white gold, richly set with approximately 61 diamonds with aproximat...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1900s Antique 0.45 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A fine and impressive antique 0.45 carat diamond and 18k yellow gold brooch; part of our diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 2.36 Carat Diamond and Yellow Gold Horseshoe Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This exceptional, fine and impressive antique brooch has been crafted in 9k yellow gold. This stunning diamond brooch has been modelled in the form of a horseshoe.
Diamond, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Gold Pearl and Diamond Freeform Pendant Brooch
By Arthur King
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Brutalist 70s Pendant/brooch in the manner of Arthur King. The large 3 1/4 x 2" 14k tendril-like gold work freeform pendant/brooch with four freshwater "stick" pearls accented with f...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Vintage Platinum and White Gold 12.5tcw Diamond Fan Brooch
Located in New York, NY
This vintage diamond brooch is crafted in platinum and white gold and designed in a dramatic fan motif set with approximately 12.5 total carats of diamonds.
Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
$1,620Sale Price|40% Off
Blackened White Gold Ruby and Diamond Tulip Brooch
Located in Lucerne, CH
Completed with 9 white brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.30 ct. fyi: we carry a matching brooch with tsavorites and one with brown diamonds on stock!
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
Exclusive sapphire and diamond brooch in 18k white gold
Located in Lucerne, CH
A refined statement piece with timeless elegance: this exquisite brooch is crafted from 18k white gold and beautifully set with 7 sapphires totalling 4.30 ct and 17 diamonds totallin...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
12K Yellow Gold and Diamond Starburst Brooch/Pendant #23244
Located in Washington Depot, CT
12K Yellow Gold and Diamond Starburst Brooch/Pendant- This striking piece is crafted in 12K yellow gold and designed in a radiant starburst motif.
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
18K White Gold Firefly Emerald and Diamond Brooch
By Althoff Jewelry
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K White Gold Firefly Emerald and Diamond Brooch 2 Blue Sapphires - 0.95 CT 24 Diamonds - 0.18 CT 1 Emerald - 2.45 CT 1 Ruby - 0.44 CT 18K White Gold - 2.63 GM
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
White Gold Contemporary Floral Brooch with Diamonds and Emerald
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary Peony Petal floral brooch is in 18 karat white gold with 31 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and natural octagon cut emerald.
Diamond, White Diamond, Beryl, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White...
Yellow Gold Contemporary Floral Brooch with Diamonds and Emerald
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary Peony Petal floral brooch is in 18 karat yellow gold with 31 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and natural octagon cut emerald.
Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White...
Yellow Gold Contemporary Floral Brooch with Diamonds and Emerald
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary Peony Petal floral brooch is in 18 karat yellow gold with 31 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and natural octagon cut emerald.
Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White...
Victorian Enamel, Diamond and Gold Flower Brooch, Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
A Victorian enamel, diamond and gold flower brooch, with five cream and red striped enamelled petals, with an old-cut diamond in the centre and rose-cut diamond set stamens.
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
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
Belle Epoque Diamond Ruby Gold and Silver Brooch
Located in Napoli, NA
Wonderful Belle Epoque brooch in 12 kt gold and silver with sparkling rose-cut diamonds (approx. 1.50 ct) and vivid baguette-cut rubies (approx. 2.00 ct).
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold
Rose Gold Contemporary Floral Brooch with Diamonds and Emerald
By Polya Medvedeva Jewellery
Located in Berlin, DE
This contemporary Peony Petal floral brooch is in 18 karat rose gold with 31 round natural diamonds, VS, F-G, and natural octagon cut emerald.
Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White...
Antique 1930s Diamond and Ruby White Gold Regimental Brooch
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
This fine and impressive antique diamond brooch has been crafted in 9k white gold.
Diamond, Ruby, 9k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Montana Sapphire, Diamond and Gold Brooch, circa 1950
Located in London, GB
A vintage Montana sapphire, diamond and gold circle brooch, with two rows of round faceted Montana sapphires, in four claw settings, cinched with two gold, three-row bows, each with ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold
Antique Ruby And Diamond Peacock Gold Brooch
Located in Cairo, EG
Antique Russian peacock brooch with magnificent wire jewelry technique decorted with rubies and rose cut diamonds with a total 14k gold weight of 16.50 grams hall marked 56 imperial ...
14k Gold
Brooch with Diamonds and Enamel in Yellow and White Gold
Located in Milano, IT
Fine enamel 18 karat yellow and white gold bee brooch with diamonds approximately 0.20 ctw.
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Garnets, Diamonds, Rose Gold and Silver Fly Brooch / Pendant.
Located in Napoli, Campania
Fashion brooch 7 pendant in 9 kt rose gold and silver structure mounted with two garnets as eyes, a garnet on the neck and the body is studded with garnets while the wings are studde...
Diamond, Garnet, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
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.