Contemporary Brooches
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Emerald, Other, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Labradorite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-18th Century Antique Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century North American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Topaz, Tourmaline, Peridot, Garnet, Diamond, Citrine, Aquamarine, Amethy...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Carnelian, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1930s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Enamel, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Sterling Silver
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Stainless Steel, Sterling Silver
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Black Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Stainless Steel, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Crystal
2010s Italian Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Brown Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Brown Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel