How do I wear a spray brooch?

You can pin a spray brooch to the lapel of a tailored blazer, the collar of a blouse, or the shoulder of a dress. Their organic shapes look particularly striking when oriented so the stems point downward, mimicking a freshly plucked flower arrangement. Ensure the fabric of your garment is sturdy enough to support the weight of the piece, especially for larger diamond and platinum designs which carry more heft.

How can I tell Victorian from Art Deco brooches?

Victorian spray brooches often feature warmer yellow gold or silver-on-gold settings with softer, highly naturalistic floral curves and old mine cut diamonds or seed pearls. They frequently incorporate romantic symbolism tied to the natural world. Art Deco brooches, by contrast, utilise platinum or white gold with sharper, more geometric lines, symmetrical spray patterns, and stylized floral motifs that reflect the modern design sensibilities of the 1920s and 1930s.

Are these brooches also pendants?

Many spray brooches are manufactured with a hidden or fold-down loop on the reverse, allowing them to transform easily into a pendant worn on a chain. This dual functionality was popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Checking the reverse of the piece will reveal whether a suspension loop is present alongside the standard pin and catch mechanism.