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.
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jade, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, 14k Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Brooches
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
2010s Canadian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Morganite, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose ...
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Beryl, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Silver, Sterling Silver
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Early 2000s French Contemporary Brooches
Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century Greek Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-18th Century Antique Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Emerald, Other, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver, Enamel
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold