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.
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Brooches
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Quartz, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, 14...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
1970s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jasper, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
1990s Contemporary Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 1...
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Onyx, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Turquoise, Jasper, 18k Go...
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, Ruby, Amethyst, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gol...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yell...
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Purple Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire , Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamon...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, Sapphire, Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White G...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold...
1950s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yello...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Purple Sapphire, Padparadscha Sapphire , Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamon...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Beryl, Emerald, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White G...
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold...
20th Century Swiss Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Indicolite, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold,...
Early 2000s German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Quartz, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, 14k Gold...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Greek Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow G...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Go...
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold