The Brooch is Back, Part Two

 The Brooch is Back: Part Two

Style icon Grace Kelly with her eponymous Hermes bag... and a chic lapel pin

So, as I mentioned in my last posting, 'tis the season for jewelry auctions. Brooches comprise a big part of their selection, resulting in a wide variety of styles and price points. I've included another batch here, along with more photos of celebrities who wear them well. Blake Lively, Anne Hathaway, Emma Stone: so many young actresses are wearing brooches these days, making this type of jewelry yet another example of something so old it's new again.


Glamorous Brooches

Anne Hathaway in Vogue, 2010, with a Boucheron ruby and diamond brooch
worn as a hair ornament...

...the photo stylist was clearly channeling one of the most iconic photos of all time. Audrey was wearing a tiara here, but a black satin headband with an elegant brooch pinned atop it would work just as well and have more utility--for most of us, anyway!

Platinum, ruby and diamond brooch, circa 1935. At Doyle, New York on December 6th, estimate $5,000-7,000.

Art Deco diamond and onyx bow brooch. At Doyle, New York on December 6th, estimate $5,000-7,000.

1.5 carat diamond crescent pin, at auction in Chicago on December 4th, estimate $400-600.

Michelle Williams, courtesy of StyleBistro. Photo: Rob Loud/Getty Images North America

Art deco platinum and diamond brooch,
at Heritage Auctions in Dallas on December 5th, estimate $5,000-7,000.

Courtesy of moviesandnews.com

Emma Stone wears a small feather pin, adding sophistication and elegance to her messy updo.

Edwardian diamond and platinum bow brooch.
At Leslie Hindman on December 4th, estimate $2,000-4,000.

A platinum, emerald and diamond brooch,
at Leslie Hindman on December 4th, estimate $2,000-3,000.

Champagne taste on a beer budget?
Remember the rhinestone--as in this rhinestone Chanel camellia.
At Leslie Hindman on December 6th, estimate $100-200.

The most mouthwatering brooch I've seen in all the catalogs is this emerald and diamond brooch by Raymond Yard. Circa 1935, the brooch stars a 5.75 carat emerald surrounded by 119 European cut diamonds. My oh my.

Raymond Yard emerald, diamond and platinum brooch.
At Doyle on December 6th, estimate $40,000-60,000.

Fun Brooches

Courtesy of Dicha.
Sarah Jessica Parker looking very Carrie-like. The brooch that makes the outfit.

And then there are the brooches that you might actually take out of the safety deposit box. Note that some of the brooch descriptions do not provide the measurements. BE SURE to ask for them if you can't see the piece in person so you don't have a rude awakening.

An 18k yellow gold, emerald and diamond Fleur de Lis pin.
In Chicago on December 4th, estimate $300-500.

Chanel glass and turquoise pin,
at Heritage Auctions, Dallas, on December 6th, estimate $200-300.

Gold, Amethyst and Tanzanite brooch.
At Doyle, New York on December 6th, estimate $500-700.

Speaking of Carrie, how charmingly wacky is this Tony Duquette 18k gold cockatoo pin?
At Doyle in New York on December 6th, estimate $800-1,200.

This last pin, by Tony Duquette, brings us to the predominant subcategory of fun brooches--the animal brooch.

Animal Brooches

Admittedly, animal brooches get a bad rap in my family because my late grandfather, ever the procrastinator, would put off buying a gift until the last minute, then run down  to the local jeweler and get my grandmother an animal pin, EVERY SINGLE YEAR. So don't go cutesy all the time, but an animal pin now and then, especially if it features a creature of which you're particularly fond, is a great gift. I've culled the impressive selection down to a few that caught my eye.

Courtesy of StyleBistro. Photo by FlynetPictures.com
Blake Lively and her giant pin. Let's just say that having a fly on you has never looked better.

South sea cultured pearl, diamond, ruby and gold octopus, at Heritage on December 5th, estimate $2,000-3,000.

18k gold, diamond and turquoise brooch, at Phillips de Pury in New York on December 3rd, estimate $1,200-1,600.

Two green garnet, gold and diamond salamanders, circa 1910. At Rago in New Jersey on December 4th, estimate $1,200-1,800.

A horse of course! For all the equestrians out there. 14k gold and diamond horse pin. At Leslie Hindman on December 4th, estimate $300-500.

I adore this South Sea cultured pearl, platinum and diamond snail. At Heritage in Dallas on December 5th, estimate $2,000-3,000.

I've been fascinated by crystal intaglio brooches ever since I was little. This fantastic fox is at Michaan's in California on December 5th, estimate $700-1,000.

Georgian jewelry is very rare. This sweet diamond and ruby swallow carrying a love letter hits all the right notes. At Heritage on December 5th, estimate $2,000-3,000.

Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany gold, ruby and diamond Ibex brooch. At Leslie Hindman on December 4th, estimate $2,000-4,000.

  

 I close with a few more shots of the young and beautiful wearing brooches. Be daring! Try one! Happy bidding, everyone--and Happy Thanksgiving!