Royal Navy Brooch
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Brooches
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Antique Early 1900s American Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches
Crystal, Pearl, Gold Plate
20th Century Retro Brooches
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 10k Gold
1990s Chinese Brooches
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s French Baroque Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate, Bronze, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Solitaire Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Brooches
Pearl, Topaz, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Antique 1850s French Rococo Brooches
Malachite, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Clip-on Earrings
Pearl
Vintage 1950s Unknown Brooches
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century American Brooches
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Brooches
Rhodium, Base Metal, Enamel
Recent Sales
Vintage 1920s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century English Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Unknown Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, 9k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s British Brooches
Crystal, Rhodium
1990s American Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1930s Unknown Brooches
Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Finding the Right brooches for You
Antique and vintage brooches, which are decorative jewels traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.
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.
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 on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.
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