Information and history of diamonds plus a gallery of diamonds used in antique and vintage brooches. Diamonds have been treasured as gemstones since their use as religious icons in ancient India. Their usage in engraving tools also dates to early human history. The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century because of increased supply, improved cutting and polishing techniques, growth in the world economy, and innovative and successful advertising campaigns.
Diamonds occur in a variety of colors—steel gray, white, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink to purple, brown, and black. Colored diamonds contain interstitial impurities or structural defects that cause the coloration, whilst pure diamonds are perfectly transparent and colorless. Diamonds are scientifically classed into two main types and several subtypes, according to the nature of impurities present and how these impurities affect light absorption: Reference: Wikipedia
A diamond’s worth is based on a number of various factors. To dispel arguments about a diamond’s worth – the diamond industry professionals use a set of particular guidelines which help establish the exact quality and desirability of a diamond. These guidelines, or the 4 C’s, were established by the Gemological Institute of America and are the basis of diamond value estimation. They include: Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut. Reference: Worthy Living
A diamond butterfly brooch/pendant necklace, circa 1890
Formed as an openwork butterfly, set throughout with cushion-shaped, old brilliant and rose-cut diamonds, accompanied by a later necklace fitting, mounted in silver and gold, cushion-shaped and old brilliant-cut diamonds approx. 6.15cts total, width 4.0cm, chain length 45.7cm
Sold for £6,250 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
Brooch pin in the form of a flower spray. Diamonds in a closed-back setting backed with gold. Circa 1726-1775.
A COLORED DIAMOND AND DIAMOND BROOCH
Designed as a single-cut diamond basket gathering a bouquet of multi-colored diamond and diamond flower blossoms, including a pear brilliant-cut fancy intense yellow diamond, a pear brilliant-cut fancy intense purplish pink diamond, a round brilliant-cut fancy intense yellow-orange diamond, a round brilliant fancy deep yellowish brown diamond and a round brilliant-cut fancy intense yellowish green diamond, ranging from 0.73-0.16 carat, with circular and single-cut yellow diamond leaves, 2 ins., mounted in platinum and gold
Accompanied by report no. 5191162028 dated 1 March 2018 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the pear brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 0.73 carat, is fancy intense yellow, natural color, SI1 clarity
With report no. 2195162019 dated 6 March 2018 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the pear brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 0.52 carat, is fancy intense purplish pink, natural color, I1 clarity
With report no. 2193162071 dated 1 March 2018 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 0.33 carat, is fancy intense yellow-orange, natural color, I1 clarity
With report no. 5192162053 dated 1 March 2018 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 0.23 carat, is fancy deep yellowish brown, natural color, I1 clarity
With report no. 1192162063 dated 1 March 2018 from the GIA Gemological Institute of America stating that the round brilliant-cut diamond, weighing approximately 0.16 carat, is fancy intense yellowish green, undetermined color origin, SI2 clarity
Sold for USD 25,000 at Christies
18 Karat Gold and Platinum Diamond Brooch containing forty-two Old European cut diamonds weighing approximately 1.94 carats total. With trefoil design. Approximately 1.25″ L x 1.5″ W. 6.4 dwt.
Sold for $650 at Cowan’s Auctions, Inc. in 2018
18th century gold and diamond brooch in the shape of a bow with lozenge. Probably Spanish.
Diamond brooch , 1940s
Of ribbon bow design, centering a circular-cut diamond weighing 3.57 carats, further enhanced with circular-, single-cut and baguette diamonds, one diamond deficient.
Sold for 22,500 CHF at Sothebys in 2018
Brooch in the form of an open flower with foliage and a small drooping bud.
Flowers were a popular theme in diamond jewellery throughout the 19th Century. Pieces ranged from delicate single blooms to vast bouquets with individual flowers set on springs which increased the sparkle as the wearer moved. The Victorians associated specific meanings or qualities with different plants – the so-called “Language of Flowers” – and this often lay behind the choice of a particular flower in a piece of jewellery.
This magnificent brooch is an outstanding example of Lalique’s jewelry. Here, layered fern leaves, in opalescent cameo glass and green enamel, are connected by diamond-set “stalks.” At the center a large cushion-shaped opal is mounted in a silver-gilt frame set with small diamonds of varying size. The lateral segments are hinged to the central unit to permit movement. Henry Walters bought this piece from Lalique in 1904 at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. The symmetrical design anticipates Lalique’s future work. Within several years, the artist abandoned both jewelry and the Art Nouveau style to devote himself to the production of glass molded in the Art Deco style.
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