Cartier Poodle Brooch
20th Century French Retro Brooches
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Baroque Brooches
Gold Plate
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Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Wrist Watches
1990s French Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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Excellent condition
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Vintage 1980s French Brooches
Early 20th Century Art Nouveau Brooches
20th Century French Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Modern Brooches
Spinel, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Brooches
Brass
Antique 15th Century and Earlier European Renaissance Brooches
Gilt Metal, Mixed Metal, Niello, Silver, Copper
1990s French Sunglasses
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Gold Plate, Gilt Metal, Cut Steel
20th Century French Modern Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Brooches
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Chalcedony, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1960s American Art Deco Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1950s American Brooches
Copper
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Vintage 1950s Italian Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
French Brooches
20th Century French Retro Brooches
Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Italian Retro Brooches
White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Brooches
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow 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.