Octopus Pin Brooch
Late 20th Century Brooches
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Tsavorite, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Belle Époque Brooches
Green Sapphire, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sa...
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
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2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold,...
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Blue Topaz, Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century Romantic Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Retro Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s Choker Necklaces
Sapphire, White Gold
20th Century American Art Deco Brooches
20th Century American Modern Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Baroque Brooches
Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
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21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Coral, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold,...
1990s Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold, ...
Vintage 1980s Unknown Artist Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1950s American Retro Brooches
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century American Brooches
Moonstone, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Brooches
Vintage 1980s Greek Brooches
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.
- Is a brooch a pin?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024Yes, a brooch is a pin. A pin is the general term for an accessory designed to slide through fabric and stay in place with the help of a fastener. A brooch is the term for a decorative pin. The word pin can also refer to a functional accessory that has no decorative embellishments. As a result, not all pins are brooches, but all brooches are pins. Explore a diverse assortment of brooches on 1stDibs.
- What is a brooch pin?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021Brooch pins are beautiful pieces of jewelry with a sharpened metal wire on the reverse that adheres to garments. Traditionally, people wore pins and brooches on clothing such as skirts, sweaters, jackets, shirts, and hats. Brooches were used to hold garments together in the past. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage brooch pins.
- What are brooch pins called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Brooch pins are usually called brooches or pins. The practice of wearing pins dates back to the Bronze Age. At the time, people referred to a pin as a fibula. Its purpose was to fasten clothing. Shop a range of brooch pins on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023The main difference between pins and brooches is style. Both items slide through fabrics and secure in the back with some type of fastener. Brooches are always decorative, but some pins are made only to secure materials together or to hold a garment in place. All brooches are pins, but not all pins are brooches. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of brooches.
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