Mauboussin Ruby Brooch
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Retro Brooches
Ruby, Citrine, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s European Retro Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Diamond, ...
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
Late 20th Century French Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Brooches
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
People Also Browsed
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Brooches
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century British Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond
Late 20th Century American Artist Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1990s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1960s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Romantic Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Antique 1890s Austrian Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Natural Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold,...
Antique 1840s Italian Classical Roman More Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Australian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Opal, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite,...
Recent Sales
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
American Brooches
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Emerald, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century French Brooches
18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Brooches
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Brooches
Citrine, Ruby
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s Retro Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Diamond, Moonstone, Ruby, 14k Gold
Diamond, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Moonstone, 14k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Modernist Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Citrine, White Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s French Retro Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
American Brooches
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel, 18k Gold
Vintage 1920s American Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
French Brooches
Vintage 1960s French Retro Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
14k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Clamper Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Retro Brooches
Moonstone, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
French Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s Brooches
Ruby
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
French Brooches
Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
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.
Read More
This Gem-Encrusted Boucheron Brooch Is a Symbol of Mid-Century Glamour and Clever Design
Though it sparkles with more than 27 carats of diamonds, this multifaceted gem delivers more than just dazzle.
The Editor of ‘Town & Country’ Loves Jewelry and History in Equal Measure
Stellene Volandes takes us on a glittering, engrossing tour through the centuries.
5 Fresh Jewelry Trends That Will Bring You Joy This Spring
From cameos to cigar bands, here are the looks on our radar this season.
Tastemaker Bunny Mellon’s Extraordinary Schlumberger Jewels
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.