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.
1970s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Paraiba, Tourmaline, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Ro...
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Crystal
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Kyanite, Sterling Silver, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Tsavorite, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Danish Contemporary Brooches
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Blue Sapphire, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
Early 2000s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Brooches
Agate, Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Go...
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Opal, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Brooches
Crystal
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Yellow Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Tsavorite, Purple Sapphire, Dia...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, ...
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
1980s Vintage Contemporary Brooches
Pearl, Multi-gemstone, Lapis Lazuli, White Diamond, Diamond, Coral, Yell...
1990s Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Brooches
Quartz, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Brooches
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Australian Contemporary Brooches
Jade, Tsavorite, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Emerald, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yell...
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
10k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Brooches
Tourmaline, Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yel...
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold