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.
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Gold Plate
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k G...
20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Moonstone, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Enamel, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Brass
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jade, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jade, Ruby, Platinum
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gol...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1950s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Quartz, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Brooches
Carnelian, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Gold, Enamel
1890s American Antique Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Carnelian, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 15k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Hungarian Contemporary Brooches
Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1990s European Contemporary Brooches
1950s Canadian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Dutch Contemporary Brooches
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Beryl, Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Quartz, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Green Ber...