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.
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Malachite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Spinel, Rhodium, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow ...
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Brooches
Carnelian, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Early 2000s German Contemporary Brooches
Tsavorite, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Spinel, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, Platinum...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Spinel, Citrine, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, Platinum...
1960s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Cat’s Eye, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s Austrian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Spinel, Topaz, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, Platinum, ...
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Coral, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Citrine, Yellow Gold, White Gold...
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Platinum
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1960s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Brooches
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s French Contemporary Brooches
Mixed Metal