Chanel Nautical Brooch
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1960s Retro Brooches
18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Rope Necklaces
Enamel
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20th Century American Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American More Bracelets
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
20th Century American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s French Art Nouveau Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s French Art Deco Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s Choker Necklaces
Sapphire, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Early Victorian Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Baroque Clip-on Earrings
Gold Plate
20th Century French Chain Necklaces
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Gold Plate, Enamel
Vintage 1970s American Drop Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Link Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s French Link Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
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2010s French Brooches
Crystal
2010s French Brooches
Gold Plate, Enamel
2010s French Brooches
2010s Brooches
Brass
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.