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 Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Brooches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Crystal
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Turquoise, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yello...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Rubelite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1920s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
1970s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Gold Plate, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century English Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Peridot, Quartz, Green Beryl, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Tsavorite, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Jade, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Amethyst, Diamond, Citrine, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Peridot, Topaz, Tour...
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Brooches
Crystal, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Brooches
Citrine, Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Peridot, Ruby, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold