Brooches
20th Century German Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, Silver
19th Century Antique Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
1980s Unknown Vintage Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modernist Brooches
Peridot, Tourmaline, Amethyst, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Brooches
Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Russian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
19th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Brooches
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1850s Italian Victorian Antique Brooches
Coral, 14k Gold
2010s American Arts and Crafts Brooches
Multi-gemstone, Coral, Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
1970s Unknown Retro Vintage Brooches
Coral, Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Ruby, 18k Gold
1940s Unknown Art Deco Vintage Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
1970s Unknown Retro Vintage Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1860s French Victorian Antique Brooches
Coral, 18k Gold
1990s American Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Brooches
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Brooches
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century French Victorian Antique Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Brooches
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Brooches
Crystal, Emerald, 14k Gold
1960s Vintage Brooches
Amethyst, Coral, 18k Gold
1980s Modernist Vintage Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold
Early 19th Century English Georgian Antique Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, Garnet, Ruby, Turquoise, Multi-gemstone, 18k...
1940s French Vintage Brooches
Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1920s French Vintage Brooches
Emerald
Antique and Vintage Brooches
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.