Sapphire Diamond Brooch
A sapphire diamond brooch brings together deep blue corundum and brilliant stones in precious metal settings designed to catch the light.
Identifying sapphire diamond brooch pieces
A sapphire diamond brooch is an ornamental garment fastener set with blue corundum and diamonds, appearing in forms ranging from simple bar brooches to elaborate floral, crescent, and star shapes.
The pieces on this page span the late Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco periods, encompassing both gold settings and platinum mounts.
Many examples function dually as pendants, offering versatile ways to wear antique jewels on chains as well as lapels.
Materials and construction methods
Goldsmiths worked with platinum, silver, and gold grades including nine-carat, twelve-carat, fifteen-carat, and eighteen-carat yellow and white gold to house the gemstones securely.
Stones were cut by hand, utilising old cut diamonds, rose cut diamonds, and calibre cut sapphires alongside cabochons and natural pearls.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for sapphire diamond brooch, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
The archive includes pieces from the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Nouveau, and Art Deco periods, utilising platinum, silver, and various grades of gold.
Distinctions in quality
The value and desirability of these jewels depend on the weight and saturation of the sapphires, the clarity of the diamonds, and the complexity of the metalwork.
Signed pieces and items featuring natural pearls or stones originating from specific regions like Burma or Ceylon command greater attention from collectors.
Buccellati
The Sapphire Diamond Brooch Glossary
- Cabochon
- A gemstone shaped and polished with a smooth, rounded surface rather than faceted. This style highlights the deep tone of the sapphire.
- Calibre cut
- Stones precisely shaped to fit tight geometric channels within a mounting. This technique defines crisp lines in Art Deco designs.
- Old cut
- A hand-faceted diamond shape preceding modern brilliant cuts. These stones display smaller tables and deeper pavilions.
- Bar brooch
- A narrow horizontal pin format popular across the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Central clusters often anchor the linear design.
- Pendant
- A hanging ornament suspended from a chain or ribbon. Many pieces include integrated loops to serve as both brooch and pendant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wear a brooch?
Pin the piece securely through heavier fabrics on lapels, coats, or stoles to support the weight of the metal and stones.
Items that feature dual pendant loops can also be suspended from a chain around the neck.
Are these brooches convertible?
Several examples function as both pendants and brooches by incorporating hidden loops or detachable fittings on the reverse.
This adaptability allowed Victorian and Edwardian owners to alter how they displayed their jewellery.
What is an old cut diamond?
Old cut diamonds were shaped by hand before modern machinery standardised gemstone proportions in the twentieth century.
These stones possess smaller tables and characteristic high crowns that catch candlelight beautifully.
How do I date a brooch?
Dating relies on stylistic clues, such as geometric platinum settings indicating the Art Deco era or floral yellow gold motifs pointing to Victorian and Edwardian periods.
Metal purities and stone cuts provide further evidence of manufacturing date.