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Modern Brooches

MODERN STYLE

Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.

Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”

A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.

Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.

Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

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Style: Modern
Recognized Seller Listings
An Early 20th Century French Frog Brooch
Located in London, GB
An early 20th century French frog brooch, set with old European-cut diamonds and demantoid garnets, with a round cabochon-cut ruby eye, the diamonds estimated to weigh 2 carats in to...
Category

Early 20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Silver

A Diamond-set Partridge Brooch
Located in London, GB
A diamond-set partridge brooch, the body pave-set with round brilliant-cut diamonds estimated to weigh approximately 5 carats in total and a round fac...
Category

20th Century English Modern Brooches

Materials

Platinum

Vintage Calvaire Gold and Diamante Blue Enamel Flower Brooch Circa 1930s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Calvaire Gold and Diamante Blue Enamel Flower Brooch Circa 1930s. This is a brooch of gathered flowers with a bow that has a few diamante at the end of the bow but the beauty...
Category

1930s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal, Enamel

Enamel, Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, Gold and Silver Dragonfly Brooch`
Located in London, GB
A dragonfly brooch, with pink and cream enamel wings, with blue enamel depicting the veins, with sapphires set in the thorax, each wing and the tail, in rub over settings, with pavé ...
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Silver

Vintage Trifari Diamante Pink and Baguette Brooch, Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Trifari Diamante Pink and Baguette Brooch Circa 1960s. Looks like Flowers wrapped around a vine. The flowers are represented by oval shaped pink stones that are interspersed...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Silver Plate

Angela Cummings 1989 Brooch in 18kt Yellow Gold with 3.76 Ctw in Green Sapphires
Located in Miami, FL
Fruity brooch designed by Angela Cummings. Fantastic and unusual brooch, created by Angela Cummings in New York city, back in the 1997. This brooch has been crafted in the shape of a magical fruit with a swirled stem...
Category

1990s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Scarlet Mormon Enamel and Diamond Butterfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A scarlet mormon butterfly brooch, with round brilliant-cut diamond set eyes and antennae, with a yellow and brown diamond pavé set body and silver, black and red enamel wings, mount...
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Brown Diamond, Gold, Silver, Enamel

Tiffany & Co. Diamond Platinum Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tiffany & Co diamond and platinum abstract swirl brooch circa 1980. Love it because it caught your eye, and we are here to connect you with beautiful and affordable jewelry. Deco...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Modern Plique À Jour Enamel, Diamond, Sapphire, Ruby and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A modern gem set dragonfly brooch, with a cushion shaped faceted sapphire, weighing 0.86 carats, set in the thorax, with surrounding round brilliant-cut diamonds, with blue to green...
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Enamel, Gold

Diamond Bow Brooch, 22.00 Carat
Located in London, GB
A diamond bow brooch, set with round brilliant cut diamonds weighing an estimated total of 22.00ct, in 18ct white gold. The brooch measures approximately 55 x 40mm.
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Diamond and 18 Karat White Gold Bow Brooch, 15.00 Carat, 1994
Located in London, GB
A late 20th century diamond, modern, and 18ct white gold bow brooch, with approximately 15.00 carats of round brilliant cut diamonds, in our opin...
Category

1990s English Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Ruby and Diamond Orchid Pin
Located in New Orleans, LA
This sophisticated pin takes the form of a delicate French orchid. The floral brooch is accented by 85 diamonds totaling approximately 5.00 carats, and 22 rubies totaling approximate...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Warner Rhinestone Pear and Round Brooch, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Warner Rhinestone Pear and Round Brooch Circa 1960s. A beautiful brooch that is midsized. It is round but has a dip which then goes upward around the border to with pear sha...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Carrara Y Carrara Rose Cut Diamond 18k Gold Twin Cherub Gemini Pin Pendant
Located in Miami, FL
Exquisite highly collectible Carrera Y Carrera, a high display of craftmanship, featuring two twin boys' figurines, representing the Zodiac sign of Gemini. This one-of-kind Carrera ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Modern Plique À Jour Enamel, Opal, Diamond And Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A modern gem set dragonfly brooch, with trembling wings, with opals in the thorax, wing tips and eyes, weighing 2.45 carats, with blue to green plique à jour enamel wings, set with e...
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Enamel

Vintage Ledo Gold Tone with Diamante Leaf Brooch, circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ledo Gold Tone with Diamante Leaf Brooch Circa 1960s. The leaf is front facing and etched out and highly set with pave diamante at the bottom. Earrings on site to match an...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Modern Plique À Jour Enamel, Ruby, Diamond and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A gem set dragonfly brooch, with an oval shaped, old-cut diamond, weighing 0.37 carats, set in the thorax, with surrounding eight-cut diamonds, with blue to green plique à jour ename...
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel

Modern Plique À Jour Enamel, Ruby, Diamond, Sapphire and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A modern gem set dragonfly brooch, with trembling wings, with an oval cabochon ruby, set in the thorax, with blue to green plique à jour enamel wings, with eight-cut diamonds in the ...
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Enamel

Gold and Enamel Jester Brooch
Located in Darnestown, MD
Finely detailed gold jester brooch in which he leaps through the air. The jester is dressed in black and white harlequin clothing with a diamond cap. A ruffled collar and enamel glas...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

14k Gold

Vintage Rhinestone Flower Brooch Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Rhinestone Flower Brooch Circa 1960s. Double flowers with leaves and new shoots form this brooch. The flowers are prong set and the s...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Ruby Enamel Yellow Gold Elephant Clip Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ruby enamel ruby and yellow gold figural elephant clip brooch circa 1970. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: #P-DJ1130F. Scroll down for specifications. Looks like a wild elephant...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Vintage Polcini Diamante with Faux Turquoise Brooch Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Polcini Diamante with Faux Turquoise Brooch Circa 1980s. The center of the brooch facing outward toward the faux turquoise has a matte go...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Tiffany & Co. Gold, Platinum and Diamond Ginko Brooch
Located in Darnestown, MD
Gold and platinum ginko brooch designed by Angela Cummings for Tiffany. The gold is beautifully sculpted to give the effect of a true leaf. The stem is made of diamonds set in plati...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold

Collectible KJL Hamered Gold with Opal Cabochon Drop Brooch, circa 2000s
By KJL
Located in New York, NY
Collectible KJL Hammered Gold With Opal Cabochon Drop Brooch Circa 2000s. This lovely brooch is so chic with the gold and the the opal coloring and the small diamante and the drop. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Brooches

Materials

Gold Plate, Mixed Metal

Modern Plique À Jour Enamel, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire and Gold Dragonfly Brooch
Located in London, GB
A modern gem set dragonfly brooch, with trembling wings, with an oval faceted sapphire, weighing 1.73 carats, set in the thorax, with blue to green plique à jour enamel wings, with ...
Category

2010s Modern Brooches

Materials

Ruby, Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Polo Pony Diamond Brooch
Located in New Orleans, LA
This charming brooch takes the form of a polo jockey on a galloping golden horse. The pin is encrusted with a multitude of round brilliant colored diamonds certified by the Gemological Institute of America. In total, approximately 18.00 carats of natural fancy colored diamonds form the horse. Crafted of green, white and black enamel, the polo player bears the number "1" and "BOEHM" on his back. The entire creation is set in 18K yellow gold. The sophisticated brooch is further distinguished by prestigious provenance, once owned by the revered self-made businesswoman and "Princess of Porcelain," Helen Boehm. Boehm Porcelain produced fine porcelain sculpture masterpieces that attracted the patronage of royalty, politicians and celebrities alike, including Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul...
Category

20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Vintage Opal Yellow Gold Brooch Pendant
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage opal and yellow gold brooch pendant circa 1950. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: #P5004. Scroll down for specifications. This versatile brooch pendant is des...
Category

1950s Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Ledo Rhinestone 3D brooch Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Ledo Rhinestone 3D brooch Circa 1960s. One of the best made brooches I have ever seen. There are two flowers with pave and then baguettes. They are s...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Tiffany & Co. Flower Brooch Pendant
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. flower brooch pendant Enamel brooch, convertible into a pendant; marked Tiffany & Co. Size: width 3.3 cm, length 3.3 cm Total weight: 9.5 grams
Category

Early 2000s Modern Brooches

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Moira Plique À Jour Enamel, Diamond, Ruby, Silver and Gold Frog on Leaf Brooch
Located in London, GB
A frog on a leaf brooch designed by MOIRA, with a pavé diamond set frog, with cabochon cut ruby eyes, sitting on a green and ochre plique à jour enamel leaf, set with round brilliant...
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Silver

Bielka 60.00 Carat Kunzite, Blue Topaz, Diamond & Pearl Platinum Brooch
Located in Chevy Chase, MD
An absolutely gorgeous brooch that everyone will notice! Designed and created by Bielka, this brooch features a 60.00 carat step cut Kunzite, framed in a Diamond, Pearl and Blue Top...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Kunzite, Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Platinum

Boucheron Enamel and Diamond Turtle Brooch
Located in New Orleans, LA
Rich red enamel etched in a striking tortoiseshell pattern distinguishes this charming turtle brooch by legendary French jeweler Boucheron. The shell is accented by dozens of sparkli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel

Unique Spider Black Diamond 18K Gold Brooch For Her
Located in Montreux, CH
Brooch 18K With a heritage of ancient fine Swiss jewelry traditions, NATKINA is a Geneva-based jewelry brand that creates modern jewelry masterpieces suitable for everyday life. It is our honor to create fine jewelry, and it’s for that reason that we choose to only work with high-quality, enduring materials that can almost immediately turn into family heirlooms...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Brooches

Materials

Black Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold

Andrew Clunn Diamond Brooch
Located in Darnestown, MD
Elegant and unusual diamond brooch by Andrew Clunn. The piece has 105 diamonds weighing a total of approximately 12.1 carats. Thirty seven diamonds weigh 5.35 carats and the remaini...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

Vintage Cadoro Gold with Faux Turquoise and White Enamel Brooch, Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Cadoro Gold with Faux Turquoise and White Enamel Brooch Circa 1980s. It is what I call 3D or raised so the white enamel sits on the base an...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Enamel, Mixed Metal

Diamond Black Enamel Yellow Gold Leopard Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Diamond black enamel and yellow gold leopard brooch circa 1970. * ABOUT THIS ITEM: a big leopard with emerald eyes and diamond spots, what is there not to like about that? This br...
Category

1970s Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Vintage Mazer Gold Bow Brooch with Diamante Flowers Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Mazer Gold Bow Brooch with Diamante Flowers Circa 1960s. This is the saying of they don't make them like that anymore. The gorgeous and substant...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Cartier Paris Yellow Cognac White Diamond Panther Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Cartier Paris Yellow Cognac White Diamond Panther Brooch Cartier describes the Panther as 'The Panther is Cartier’s iconic animal: a wild, untamable anim...
Category

2010s French Modern Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

White Coral Diamond Flower Brooch
Located in New York, NY
White coral diamond flower brooch Round-cut diamonds of approximately 0.50 carat, six petals of white coral Size: width 2 inches, length 1.88 i...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Brooches

Materials

Coral, Diamond

Tiffany Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tiffany pearl and diamond yellow gold brooch, circa 1970s. ABOUT THIS ITEM: P-CDJ1012. Scroll down for specifications. This Tiffany specia...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage D'orlan Gold Starburst with Blue Diamante Set in Silver Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage D'orlan Gold Starburst with Blue diamante set in Silver Circa 1980s. This brooch looks so chic due to its juxtaposition with the gold and then the blue set in silver tone met...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Vintage Boucher Bug Brooch Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Boucher Bug Brooch Circa 1960s. The photos don't do this justice. The body is pave and the wings appear to be green irridescent mother of pearl. The eyes are red crystals se...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Vintage Gold Rhinestone with Faux Dangling Pearl Brooch Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Gold Rhinestone with Faux Dangling Pearl Brooch Circa 1960s. Just the nice brooch to jazz you up. Classic and Chic!
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Gold Plate

Vintage Diamante Leaf with Pave and Blue Baguette Brooch Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Diamante Leaf with Pave and Blue Baguette Brooch Circa 1960s. The brooch is made of pave with a line of light blue baguettes running through it....
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Vintage Jomaz Gold Diamante and Faux Turquoise Brooch Pendant Circa 1960s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Jomaz Gold Diamante and Faux Turquoise Brooch Circa 1960s. Now this is a brooch. It has two layers that seem to elevate slightly upwards. The p...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Vintage Gold and Crystal Domed Large Brooch Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Gold and Crystal Domed Large Brooch Circa 1980s. Intricate Gold design work shows baguettes and oval stones sitting on top in a star like pattern. Looks great as a brooch but also on a silk cord or a thick gold link chain or a black lariat. All of them I have. The silk black cord...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Plique a Jour Enamel, Ruby, Diamond, Gold and Silver Flower Brooch
Located in London, GB
A Moira design orange to yellow plique-a-jour enamel flower brooch, with a pavé set ruby centre, and diamonds set to the outer petal edges, with a millegrain edge. Mounted in gold, w...
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Vintage Trifari Basket Brooch Circa 1937
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Trifari Basket Brooch Circa 1937. The markings date this from 1937 to 1955. The basket is made of baguettes and the flowers are made of pear sha...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Van Cleef & Arpels Paris Vintage Multi Gem Diamond Parrot of Splendor Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris Vintage Collection Multi Gem Diamond Parrot of Splendor Brooch Van Cleef & Arpels mastered the art of precious birds in flight in the early 1920s. No Paris...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Brooches

Vintage Jean Louis Scherrer Gold Tone with Enamel Brooch, Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Scherrer Gold Tone with Enamel Brooch. Two Different Blue Tone Enamel Flowers Unfold on top of the Gold Tone Brooch as if Blooming. A very mod...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Enamel, Mixed Metal

Van Cleef & Arpels Paris Vintage Fancy Yellow White Diamond 'Camellia' Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Van Cleef & Arpels Paris Vintage Fancy Yellow White Diamond 'Camellia' Brooch from our Signed Vintage Jewels Collection In 1957 Van Cleef & Arpels introduced the “Camellia” design, w...
Category

1970s French Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

White Diamond, Platinum

Orange-Yellow Sapphire 26.97 Carat Rose Brooch
Located in London, GB
An orange to yellow shaded sapphire rose brooch, set with 26.97ct of pavé set orange and yellow sapphires, mounted in 18ct yellow gold, with pins and tube catch fittings.
Category

2010s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Sapphire, 18k Gold

Vintage Sterling Hatchet/Scepter Amethyst Emerald Diamante Brooch Circa 1940s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Sterling Hatchet/Scepter Brooch with Amethyst Circa 1940s Emerald and Diamante. This beautiful brooch set on a gold tone metal is in such beaut...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Cartier Vintage 6.50cts Diamond Platinum Elegant Botanical Pin Brooch
Located in Miami, FL
Dazzle yourself with this Vintage Cartier Diamond Platinum Botanical Pin Brooch Exquisitely crafted in solid platinum, the botanical pattern, Signed Cartier. This stunning vintage ...
Category

1980s Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

18k Gold Blue Sapphire Diamond Leaf Brooch
Located in Palm Beach, FL
18k gold, vibrant blue sapphire and diamond leaf brooch measuring 2.5" in length. Oxidized grayish 18k white gold mounting set with o...
Category

2010s Unknown Modern Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

1970's Diamond Chalcedony 18K Yellow Gold Turtle Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
For all the collectors, this is a must-have piece. This adorable vintage turtle pin brooch is crafted in 18K yellow gold. Weighing 15.0 grams and measuring 1.5" x 1". The body of t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Chalcedony, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Collectible Tim Szlyk Saphire Blue Clear Crystal Brooch and Pendant Circa 2000s
Located in New York, NY
Collectible Tim Szlyk Sapphire Blue and Clear Crystal Brooch and Pendant. In the shape of a Maltese cross. His work is remarkable. Prong set. Would look great on the back of a jack...
Category

2010s American Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

Vintage Lisner Gold with Green and Pink Crystals Brooch Circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Lisner Gold with Green and Pink Crystals Brooch Circa 1980s. This brooch has three layers with the pink stones at the bottom and then a lay...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Brooches

Materials

Mixed Metal

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