Vintage Buddha Brooch
20th Century Unknown Brooches
Pearl
20th Century Brooches
Gold Plate
Mid-20th Century Thai Modern Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Coral, Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Cuff Bracelets
Late 20th Century Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century French Art Deco Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
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Vintage 1970s Beaded Bracelets
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Late 20th Century Brooches
Coral, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary More Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Charm Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s American Modern Clip-on Earrings
Antique 1770s Portuguese Georgian Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Rock Crystal, Silver
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Hoop Earrings
Gilt Metal
Antique Early 1900s Italian Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1980s Artisan Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Artisan Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s Japanese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gold Plate
Vintage 1950s Chinese Pendant Necklaces
Jade, 22k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1930s German Art Deco Drop Necklaces
Silver
Mid-20th Century Evening Bags and Minaudières
Recent Sales
Vintage 1920s Czech Art Deco Brooches
Brass
Mid-20th Century American Brooches
20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches
Coral, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Pendant Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Carnelian, Coral, Jade, Gold Plate
20th Century German Brooches
20th Century Brooches
Gold Plate
Vintage 1960s Unknown Brooches
Vintage 1960s Unknown More Necklaces
Mid-20th Century American Brooches
Mid-20th Century American Brooches
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.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023To 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.
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