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.
2010s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Silver, Copper
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Pearl
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold, Y...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Spinel, Topaz, Mixed Metal, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, Platinum, ...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Coral, Jade, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Rock Crystal, Silver, Copper
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Turquoise
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Garnet, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Platinum
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Morganite, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Crystal, Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Rock Crystal, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Beryl, Morganite, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold