How do I wear an antique brooch?

These pieces pin securely to jackets, scarves, and lapels using traditional pin stems and C-clasps or safety catches. Many examples also feature loops or bails that allow them to hang from a neck chain as a pendant. Ensuring the pin mechanism remains secure protects the fabric of your garments while allowing the intricate metalwork to display properly.

Were these brooches used as pendants too?

Yes, many jewellers designed these items with dual functionality in mind from the outset. Foldable or fixed loops on the reverse enabled the wearer to transition the piece seamlessly from a breast ornament to a necklace centrepiece. This versatility was particularly popular during the Edwardian period when layered chains and pendants came into regular fashion.

How do I date an openwork brooch?

Dating relies on observing the combination of materials, gemstone cuts, and piercing styles characteristic of specific eras. Victorian pieces often use heavy yellow gold and garnet or amethyst, while Edwardian examples favour platinum, silver-topped gold, and light peridots or seed pearls. Art Deco items introduce geometric symmetry, stylised motifs, and sharper platinum settings typical of the nineteen-twenties.

What metals are most common here?

Gold in varying carats, such as 9ct, 15ct, and 18ct, forms the backbone of the Victorian and Edwardian selections. Silver and platinum appear frequently in late nineteenth-century and Art Deco pieces, often paired with gold to provide a bright contrasting face for diamonds. These metal choices reflect the prevailing metallurgical standards and aesthetic preferences of each respective decade.

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Antique Openwork Brooch

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An antique openwork brooch brings delicate metal piercing and precious gemstones together, offering a versatile piece that pins to a lapel or suspends from a chain as a pendant.