Contemporary Brooches
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
1950s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Coral, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Tanzanite, Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Enamel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Peridot, Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Rose Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Spinel, Topaz, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, Platinum, ...
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold, Y...
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Rock Crystal, Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Peridot, Sterling Silver