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Brooch Shell Vintage

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Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace 18 Karat Gold Classical Antique 2.5 Inches
Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace 18 Karat Gold Classical Antique 2.5 Inches

Goddess Cameo Pendant Brooch Necklace 18 Karat Gold Classical Antique 2.5 Inches

Located in New York, NY

This is an absolutely stunning and very rare large antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch with a hand

Category

20th Century Italian Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

10 Cherub Angel Putti Cupid Cameo Pendant Brooch 18 Karat Gold Necklace Antique
10 Cherub Angel Putti Cupid Cameo Pendant Brooch 18 Karat Gold Necklace Antique

10 Cherub Angel Putti Cupid Cameo Pendant Brooch 18 Karat Gold Necklace Antique

Located in New York, NY

This is an absolutely stunning and very rare large 2.5 inch tall antique Shell Cameo Pendant Brooch

Category

20th Century Italian Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

1940s Gold Shell Brooch
1940s Gold Shell Brooch

1940s Gold Shell Brooch

Located in New York, NY

The stylized shell motif mounted in 14kt yellow gold, with double pin clip back and safety catch

Category

1940s American Retro Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

14k Gold

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Shell, Coral & Turquoise Brooch
SEAMAN SCHEPPS Shell, Coral & Turquoise Brooch

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Shell, Coral & Turquoise Brooch

By Seaman Schepps

Located in New York, NY

The pearly-white turbo shell wrapped with gold wire and studded with deep orange coral, pale

Category

1940s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Coral, Turquoise, 14k Gold

David Webb Shell and Diamond Brooch

David Webb Shell and Diamond Brooch

By David Webb

Located in New York, NY

The tapering conical shell, in a lively pattern of dark brown, caramel and white, set atop a frame

Category

1960s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

DAVID WEBB Gold Shell Motif Brooch
DAVID WEBB Gold Shell Motif Brooch

DAVID WEBB Gold Shell Motif Brooch

By David Webb

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Metal: 18K yellow gold Marked/Tested DAVID WEBB, 18K Gemstones/Diamonds Clarity: N/A Color: N/A Measurements: 58mm X 57mm (1 inch= 25mm) Weight 52.6g

Category

20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

1960s Enamel Diamond Gold Starfish Shell Brooch
1960s Enamel Diamond Gold Starfish Shell Brooch

1960s Enamel Diamond Gold Starfish Shell Brooch

Located in Lambertville, NJ

18k gold sea shell brooch, featuring starfish, decorated with approx. 0.30ctw in diamonds and

Category

20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Pair of Shell Brooches by Tiffany & Co.
Pair of Shell Brooches by Tiffany & Co.

Pair of Shell Brooches by Tiffany & Co.

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in San Francisco, CA

Pair of 14KT yellow gold shell brooches, c1960. Double pinstem closures. Signed Tiffany & Co, with

Category

1960s Unknown Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

14k Gold

Gold Vintage Cartier Shell Brooch with Diamonds
Gold Vintage Cartier Shell Brooch with Diamonds

Gold Vintage Cartier Shell Brooch with Diamonds

By Cartier

Located in PARIS, FR

18Kt gold (750°/°°) Brooch featuring a succession of falling shells placed on a larger pattern

Category

Mid-20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Yves Saint Laurent Shell Brooch, 1990's
Yves Saint Laurent Shell Brooch, 1990's

Yves Saint Laurent Shell Brooch, 1990's

By Yves Saint Laurent

Located in PARIS, FR

Yves Saint Laurent Shell Brooch 1990's Gold tone metal hardware Very good condition, light signs

Category

20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Unusual Sterlé Paris Shell, Gold & Diamond Brooch
Unusual Sterlé Paris Shell, Gold & Diamond Brooch

Unusual Sterlé Paris Shell, Gold & Diamond Brooch

By Pierre Sterlé

Located in New York, NY

A sophisticated brooch by Pierre Sterlé, built from a pearly white natural turbo shell, accented at

Category

1960s French Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Norwegian Enamel Oyster Shell Brooch, 20th century
Norwegian Enamel Oyster Shell Brooch, 20th century

Norwegian Enamel Oyster Shell Brooch, 20th century

Located in St. Catharines, ON

Designed as a stylized oyster half-shell in translucent white guilloché enamel applied with a

Category

20th Century Norwegian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Vermeil, Sterling Silver, Enamel

Charming David Webb Emerald and Diamond Shell Brooch
Charming David Webb Emerald and Diamond Shell Brooch

Charming David Webb Emerald and Diamond Shell Brooch

By David Webb

Located in New York, NY

. This shell brooch by David Webb is a charming example, using an actual shell, with cabochon- cut

Category

1960s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold

Seaman Schepps Gold Chalcedony Shell Motif Large Brooch
Seaman Schepps Gold Chalcedony Shell Motif Large Brooch

Seaman Schepps Gold Chalcedony Shell Motif Large Brooch

By Seaman Schepps

Located in Lambertville, NJ

An 18k yellow gold brooch set with chalcedony. The brooch is 53mm x 50mm and weighs 55.3 grams

Category

Late 20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Chalcedony, 18k Gold

Trianon Gold Pearl Emerald Shell Earrings Brooch Set
Trianon Gold Pearl Emerald Shell Earrings Brooch Set

Trianon Gold Pearl Emerald Shell Earrings Brooch Set

By Trianon

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Large 14k gold shell brooch and earrings set by Trianon, with mabe pearls and emeralds. Brooch is 2

Category

20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Emerald, Pearl, Gold

Italian Shell Cameo Pearl gold Frame brooch pendant
Italian Shell Cameo Pearl gold Frame brooch pendant

Italian Shell Cameo Pearl gold Frame brooch pendant

Located in Palm Beach, FL

yellow gold engraved and rope frame border displays a magnificent hand carved Italian shell cameo

Category

1940s Italian Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Valentin Magro Smiling Moon Shell Gold Brooch Pin
Valentin Magro Smiling Moon Shell Gold Brooch Pin

Valentin Magro Smiling Moon Shell Gold Brooch Pin

By Valentin Magro

Located in Lambertville, NJ

An 18k yellow gold moon brooch. The brooch measures 74mm x 30mm and weighs 52.6 grams. Marked

Category

Late 20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

18k Gold

1987 Christian Dior Rare Shell Brooch by Robert Goossens
1987 Christian Dior Rare Shell Brooch by Robert Goossens

1987 Christian Dior Rare Shell Brooch by Robert Goossens

By Christian Dior

Located in Paris, FR

CHRISTIAN DIOR PARFUMS Very rare brooch created in limited edition by Robert Goossens for the

Category

1980s French Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gilt Metal

9 Carat Yellow Gold Pink Conch Shell Oval Cameo Brooch
9 Carat Yellow Gold Pink Conch Shell Oval Cameo Brooch

9 Carat Yellow Gold Pink Conch Shell Oval Cameo Brooch

Located in Hamilton, AU

Finely crafted in 9 yellow gold, this antique Victorian brooch, circa 1900s, features a hand carved

Category

20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold

Tiffany & Co. Gold Shell Clip Brooch with Rubies and Diamonds
Tiffany & Co. Gold Shell Clip Brooch with Rubies and Diamonds

Tiffany & Co. Gold Shell Clip Brooch with Rubies and Diamonds

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A perfect summer accessory! Tiffany & Co. fluted shell clip brooch in 18 karat yellow gold. 7 round

Category

1960s Unknown Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold

9 Carat Rose Gold Conch Shell Oval Cameo Victorian Brooch
9 Carat Rose Gold Conch Shell Oval Cameo Victorian Brooch

9 Carat Rose Gold Conch Shell Oval Cameo Victorian Brooch

Located in Hamilton, AU

Finely crafted in 9 carat rose gold, this antique Victorian brooch, circa 1900s, features a hand

Category

20th Century Unknown Late Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Vintage Carnelian Shell Cameo Brooch, Oval Gold Mount, circa 1960s
Vintage Carnelian Shell Cameo Brooch, Oval Gold Mount, circa 1960s

Vintage Carnelian Shell Cameo Brooch, Oval Gold Mount, circa 1960s

Located in Preston, Lancashire

Gold-mounted Carnelian shell carved cameo brooch, depicting a Greek goddess wearing robe and

Category

1960s British Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Carnelian, Gold

Vintage Rose Gold Bar Brooch Pin, Female Portrait Shell Cameo
Vintage Rose Gold Bar Brooch Pin, Female Portrait Shell Cameo

Vintage Rose Gold Bar Brooch Pin, Female Portrait Shell Cameo

Located in Preston, Lancashire

This vintage rose gold bar brooch features a center oval cameo with female portrait carved from

Category

1950s British Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Rose Gold

9 Carat Rose Gold Conch Shell Oval Cameo Brooch and Pendant
9 Carat Rose Gold Conch Shell Oval Cameo Brooch and Pendant

9 Carat Rose Gold Conch Shell Oval Cameo Brooch and Pendant

Located in Hamilton, AU

Finely crafted in 9 carat rose gold, this antique Victorian brooch, circa 1900s, features a hand

Category

20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

LAWRENCE VRBA Sea Shells & Glass Crystal Oversized Brooch from the 1980s
LAWRENCE VRBA Sea Shells & Glass Crystal Oversized Brooch from the 1980s

LAWRENCE VRBA Sea Shells & Glass Crystal Oversized Brooch from the 1980s

By Lawrence Vrba

Located in CHAMPEAUX-SUR-SARTHE, FR

This is a Lawrence Vrba oversize Brooch made of oyster shell, sea shells, Glass Crystal and Poured

Category

1980s American Brooch Shell Vintage

1940's Seaman Schepps Jumbo Turquoise Gold Double Clip Shell Brooch
1940's Seaman Schepps Jumbo Turquoise Gold Double Clip Shell Brooch

1940's Seaman Schepps Jumbo Turquoise Gold Double Clip Shell Brooch

By Seaman Schepps

Located in New York, NY

1940's Large Sell Brooch Embellished With @2 Large Cabochon Turquoise Stones 7Mm Each Approximaete

Category

1940s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Turquoise, 14k Gold

18 Karat White Gold Seahorse Abalone Shell 2.50 Carat Diamonds Brooch
18 Karat White Gold Seahorse Abalone Shell 2.50 Carat Diamonds Brooch

18 Karat White Gold Seahorse Abalone Shell 2.50 Carat Diamonds Brooch

Located in Dallas, TX

clarity). This brooch measures 3.5 inches and will delight all who see it! Stamped "750 D2.50 R020".

Category

20th Century Unknown Modern Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold

1960s Seaman Schepps Shell and Yellow Gold Brooches with Ruby and Chalcedony
1960s Seaman Schepps Shell and Yellow Gold Brooches with Ruby and Chalcedony

1960s Seaman Schepps Shell and Yellow Gold Brooches with Ruby and Chalcedony

By Seaman Schepps

Located in Torino, IT

A rare and impressive pair of Shell Brooches finely crafted in 1960s by famed American jeweler

Category

1960s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Chalcedony, Ruby, 14k Gold

Enameled CrownTrifari  Shell with Pearls
Enameled CrownTrifari  Shell with Pearls

Enameled CrownTrifari Shell with Pearls

By Trifari

Located in Chicago, IL

This is an interesting brooch with the crown Trifari mark.

Category

1950s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Cartier Gold Scallop Shell Pin

Cartier Gold Scallop Shell Pin

By Cartier

Located in Vail, CO

Gold scallop shell pin in 14k yellow gold, signed Cartier. 1.1" length and 1.1" width at widest

Category

Late 20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

14k Gold, Yellow Gold

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Turbo Shell & Emerald Pin
SEAMAN SCHEPPS Turbo Shell & Emerald Pin

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Turbo Shell & Emerald Pin

By Seaman Schepps

Located in Atlanta, GA

Large yellow gold natural turbo shell pin with 2 cabochon emeralds by Seaman Schepps. Signed with

Category

20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Hand Carved Bra Cameo Brooch
Hand Carved Bra Cameo Brooch

Hand Carved Bra Cameo Brooch

Located in St.amford, CT

Contemporary made hand carved shell cameo brooch in 14 karat yellow gold setting that features a

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

14k Gold

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Emerald "Pea Pod" Brooch

SEAMAN SCHEPPS Emerald "Pea Pod" Brooch

By Seaman Schepps

Located in New York, NY

The large and unusual brooch designed as two abalone shell "pea pods" issuing from highly

Category

1940s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum

Very Rare Trifari Lucite and Rhinestones Jelly Belly Shells Set 1940's
Very Rare Trifari Lucite and Rhinestones Jelly Belly Shells Set 1940's

Very Rare Trifari Lucite and Rhinestones Jelly Belly Shells Set 1940's

By Trifari

Located in Austin, TX

​Year: 1940 Hallmark: Trifari​ Dimensions: brooch H 1.37 in, earrings H 0.78 in Materials: base

Category

1940s Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Base Metal

Seaman Schepps Mother-of-Pearl Coral Gold Clip Brooch
Seaman Schepps Mother-of-Pearl Coral Gold Clip Brooch

Seaman Schepps Mother-of-Pearl Coral Gold Clip Brooch

By Seaman Schepps

Located in New York, NY

Large dramatic and striking figural shell brooch. Made and signed by SEAMAN SCHEPPS. A mother-of

Category

1940s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Coral, 14k Gold

Tiffany & Co. Large Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Turtle Brooch
Tiffany & Co. Large Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Turtle Brooch

Tiffany & Co. Large Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Turtle Brooch

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Greenwich, CT

Turtle brooch, the shell centering a larger bezel-set cabochon emerald within a cabochon ruby and

Category

1960s Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Pearl Ruby Diamond Enamel 18 Carat Yellow Gold Beetle Brooch
Pearl Ruby Diamond Enamel 18 Carat Yellow Gold Beetle Brooch

Pearl Ruby Diamond Enamel 18 Carat Yellow Gold Beetle Brooch

Located in Paris, FR

A beautiful yellow gold beetle brooch with enamel shell, set with a pearl, diamonds and two rubies

Category

1970s Italian Modern Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Tiffany & Co. Wonderful Large Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Fantasy Turtle Brooch
Tiffany & Co. Wonderful Large Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Fantasy Turtle Brooch

Tiffany & Co. Wonderful Large Emerald Ruby Diamond Gold Fantasy Turtle Brooch

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Greenwich, CT

Turtle brooch, the shell centering a larger bezel-set cabochon emerald within a cabochon ruby and

Category

Late 20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold

Gold "Fossil Shell" Brooch or Pendant

Gold "Fossil Shell" Brooch or Pendant

Located in New York, NY

The heavily textured brooch designed as a thick slice of fossilized shell, to be worn as a brooch

Category

1970s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

18k Gold

Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Shell Brooch and Earring Set
Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Shell Brooch and Earring Set

Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Shell Brooch and Earring Set

By Tiffany & Co.

Located in Lambertville, NJ

back brooch and earring set. The brooch measures approximately 2 inches in length. Each clip back

Category

1970s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

18k Gold

Vintage 1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Faux Coral Shell Form Brooch
Vintage 1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Faux Coral Shell Form Brooch

Vintage 1960s Kenneth Jay Lane Faux Coral Shell Form Brooch

By Kenneth Jay Lane

Located in Concord, MA

Vintage Kenneth Jay Lane faux coral shell form brooch, circa 1960s comprised of a mother-of-pearl

Category

Mid-20th Century American Brooch Shell Vintage

Carved Cameo Relief Gold Set Brooch
Carved Cameo Relief Gold Set Brooch

Carved Cameo Relief Gold Set Brooch

Located in Worcester, Worcestershire

brooch Carved cameo shell depicting classical Italian scene in relie. Set in 9-carat gold mount, fully

Category

20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Shell Cameo Brooch

Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Rome, IT

Depicting a female figure embellished with flower and fruits. Brooch face 58x46 mm. Weight 25.7 gr

Category

20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold

Oval Shell Cameo Brooch

Oval Shell Cameo Brooch

Located in Vail, CO

Oval shell cameo brooch pendant with twisting border, in yellow gold. 2" length and 1.5" width.

Category

20th Century Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Agate, Yellow Gold

1990s Gianfranco Ferrè Shell Crystal Brooch
1990s Gianfranco Ferrè Shell Crystal Brooch

1990s Gianfranco Ferrè Shell Crystal Brooch

By Gianfranco Ferré

Located in Milan, Italy

This gorgeous authentic vintage Gianfranco Ferrè brooch is in clear crystal with silver metal

Category

1990s Italian Brooch Shell Vintage

Vintage Cameo Shell Brooch, Rope Twist Edge, 1970s
Vintage Cameo Shell Brooch, Rope Twist Edge, 1970s

Vintage Cameo Shell Brooch, Rope Twist Edge, 1970s

Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

Vintage brooch crafted from shell to create and classic and timeless cameo. In an oval shape this

Category

1970s British Retro Brooch Shell Vintage

Elizabeth Gage Gold Carnelian Pearl Fossilized Shell Brooch Pin
Elizabeth Gage Gold Carnelian Pearl Fossilized Shell Brooch Pin

Elizabeth Gage Gold Carnelian Pearl Fossilized Shell Brooch Pin

By Elizabeth Gage

Located in Lambertville, NJ

, pearl and shell inlay. Brooch measures 56mm x 40mm. Marked Gage, English gold marks. Weight of the piece

Category

20th Century British Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Carnelian, Pearl, 18k Gold

14 Carat Yellow Gold Conch Shell Cameo Vintage Brooch
14 Carat Yellow Gold Conch Shell Cameo Vintage Brooch

14 Carat Yellow Gold Conch Shell Cameo Vintage Brooch

Located in Hamilton, AU

Crafted in 14 carat yellow gold is this lovely vintage brooch, circa 1950s, that holds a uniquely

Category

1950s Unknown Modern Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold

Vintage Carved Shell Cameo Brooch, Ornate Gold Surround, Hallmarked, 1965
Vintage Carved Shell Cameo Brooch, Ornate Gold Surround, Hallmarked, 1965

Vintage Carved Shell Cameo Brooch, Ornate Gold Surround, Hallmarked, 1965

Located in Yorkshire, West Yorkshire

A vintage cameo brooch from 1965 in an imposing size and with an impressive sculptural gold frame

Category

1960s British Modern Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

9k Gold

Vintage Trifari Jelly Belly Shell Set
Vintage Trifari Jelly Belly Shell Set

Vintage Trifari Jelly Belly Shell Set

By Alfred Philippe for Trifari

Located in London, GB

the February issue of Harpers Bazar that same year. Beautiful and delicate lucite shells are set into

Category

1940s American Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Rhodium

Vintage DeLillo Goldtone Faux-Jade Two Clam Shells Hair or Scarf Clip
Vintage DeLillo Goldtone Faux-Jade Two Clam Shells Hair or Scarf Clip

Vintage DeLillo Goldtone Faux-Jade Two Clam Shells Hair or Scarf Clip

By William Delillo

Located in Easton, PA

1970s goldtone two overlapping clam shells with prong set small round faux-jade around the edges

Category

1970s American Modern Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Gold Plate

Jaguar Brooch by William Spratling
Jaguar Brooch by William Spratling

Jaguar Brooch by William Spratling

By William Spratling

Located in Mexico City, DF

Fantastic Jaguar brooch in Silver and tortoiseshell. This is one of the most emblematic and rare

Category

20th Century Mexican Brooch Shell Vintage

Materials

Silver

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Brooch Shell Vintage For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact brooch shell vintage you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Frequently made of Gold, Yellow Gold and 14k Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Our collection of these items for sale includes 18 vintage editions and 2 modern creations to choose from as well. Finding the perfect brooch shell vintage may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 19th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 21st Century. Creating a brooch shell vintage has been a part of the legacy of many jewelers, but those produced by David Webb, Hermès and William Spratling are consistently popular. A brooch shell vintage of any era or style can lend versatility to your look, but a version featuring Diamond, from our inventory of 1, is particularly popular. Today, if you’re looking for a round cut version of this piece and are unable to find the perfect match, our selection also includes alternatives. There aren’t many items for men if you’re seeking a brooch shell vintage, as most of the options available are for women and unisex.

How Much is a Brooch Shell Vintage?

Prices for a brooch shell vintage can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $270 and can go as high as $9,900, while this accessory, on average, fetches $554.

Finding the Right Brooches for You

Vintage brooches, which refer to decorative jewelry traditionally pinned to garments and used to fasten pieces of clothing together where needed, have seen increasing popularity in recent years.

While jewelry trends come and go, brooches are indeed back on the radar thanks to fashion houses like GucciVersaceDior and Saint Laurent, all of which feature fun pinnable designs in their current collections. Whether a dazzlingly naturalistic Art Nouveau dragonfly, a whimsical David Webb animal, a gem-studded bloom or a streamlined abstract design, these jewels add color and sparkle to your look and a spring to your step. 

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. Chanel, of course, has never abandoned this style, producing gorgeously baroque CC examples since the 1980s.

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 for sale on 1stDibs, including gold brooches, sapphire brooches and more.

Questions About Brooch Shell Vintage
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    To tell if a brooch is vintage, take a look at its fastener. Pieces made during the first half of the 20th century often had a long thin fastener that you push to open or close. This style of hardware is commonly known as a trombone clasp. Locking safety clasps emerged during the 1930s, and jewelers used them throughout the rest of the 20th century. You can also check brooches for a date stamp or research the maker's mark to determine who produced it. Then, consult trusted online resources to determine the age. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or professional jeweler examine the piece. On 1stDibs, find a variety of brooches from some of the world's top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
    To identify vintage brooches, look for the maker's marks. You can usually find them on the backs of brooches. Take a photo of the marking on your brooch, and then conduct a reverse image search to learn who the maker is. If you're unsuccessful, research the marks using trusted online resources or consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Shop a diverse assortment of vintage brooches on 1stDibs.