Vintage Brooch Identification Tips

Do you know how to date your brooches? In this video we will learn how to date a brooch based on the hinge and catch. We will look at 6 brooches that span the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Retro and Mid Century periods. You will be able to use these vintage brooch identification tips to help you date jewelry!
Note - I didn't get into the pin length or girth in this video. Generally speaking, older pins are longer and thicker to penetrate coarse fabrics. Georgian brooch pins extend well past the brooch frame, and Victorian brooch pins can as well.
Thanks for watching, I look forward to meeting you in the comments! Got a question? Don't hesitate to send me an email at [e-mail]

[@shittyshows2436]

Love seeing brooches show up at galas and red carpet events !

[@sundaebaubles]

Yes! And many men have been sporting them too!

[@ginagaysellsjewerly]

Love the opal of course but the dragons breath is a stunner 🤩🤩🤩

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching, Gina! 💙💚 ( I should have known the opals would catch your eye too! 😂)

[@faetheisen4423]

I have been trying to get more into detailed knowledge of vintage designs in jewellery and this video was the first of that type that I watched. So helpful, I took a whole page of notes, even on your offhand remarks. I am stunned

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello Fae, welcome to the channel! Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so glad this video was helpful & I will be doing more on other finding types soon! Please don’t hesitate to make suggestions if there is something specific you are interested in seeing covered 💖

[@nancymanuel8536]

The flower/diamond broach ....beautiful

[@wandaarnold7395]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.❤❤❤❤❤

[@sundaebaubles]

😘❤️🥰

[@JoyfullyThrifted]

Awesome information as always Jen! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@sundaebaubles]

❤ Thank you so much, Andrea!

[@nancymanuel8536]

Luv luv the opal broach

[@sundaebaubles]

😘💖

[@janicekamonin7596]

You have an amazing jewelry collection Jen. I love brooches because you never have to be concerned about the size. ❤

[@sundaebaubles]

❤ Thank you, Janice! You are absolutely right - there is an occasion to wear every brooch, and it will always 'fit'! I hope more and more people will start wearing them again!

[@juancarlos3348]

Wow! Very Informative. Thanks.

[@sundaebaubles]

Thank you, Juan Carlos!

[@katrinalyman7896]

Great video very helpful.

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching, Katrina! ❤️

[@jasonadams7074]

Very smart, super accurate, refreshing and educational!

[@sundaebaubles]

Welcome to the channel, Jason! Thanks for your kind words 💖

[@Pureblood10000]

Very informative,thank you👏🏻

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching! ♥️

[@mikeyo2365]

Huge help. Thank you

[@sundaebaubles]

♥️ Glad to hear it, thanks for watching!!

[@Kim_Vardas53]

Thanks for the great information Jen!

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching, Kim! 💖

[@sarsarsvintagejewelry]

The blue dragons breath piece is incredible!!

[@sundaebaubles]

Hi SarSar, thank you for watching!! It's such a curiosity too!💙💚

[@alisonku2432]

Thanks for sharing

[@sundaebaubles]

My pleasure, thank you for watching! 😘

[@carmelbrain7399]

Great insights

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching! ♥️

[@denimtodiamondsliveauctions]

Love your details. Love your presentation. Screenshot⁉️ I had screenshot about three other slides before you even mentioned screenshot Everything I screenshot is in my “Sundae School” file. ❤️

[@sundaebaubles]

😊 This makes me so happy!! Thank you so much for sharing!! 💙

[@MsShellybell12]

Thanks this helped me

[@sundaebaubles]

👍 awesome, I’m glad to hear it!

[@hannahthufvesson]

Hello! 👋 I just found your channel and am more than excited - this is a newfound passion of mine and I'm listening to all of your videos on repeat (in the hopes that the knowledge will stick eventually, I struggle with memory & concentration). Thank you for sharing all of this with us! I also became an extra scoop member on patreon! Maybe I should have become a member here instead, I don't know what the difference is. Anyways, I found you because I absolutely adore garnets and am trying to learn everything I can about them. So let me try my knowledge from this video: I have a brooch with tiny garnets that sparkle like crazy. The seller stated it was gold over silver. (There's a maker's mark that I can't find - "E.S:M.") It's the same design as your silver filigree brooch, a trombone catch and handmade round hinge. So is it then likely that this is a Czech/Bohemian brooch that was finished in France (or maybe in Sweden, where I'm at), around the same time your brooch was made? I'm so impressed by how knowledgeable you are! How did you learn all of this? Like the soldering on the dragon's glass brooch indicating it's Czech, how can I find out more about this? Being a garnet fan I feel like my ears grew three sizes when I heard you say that. 😂 Am really looking forward to learning more from you! Cheers, Hannah

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello Hannah, welcome to the channel! I can feel your passion through your words & I love it! It's been a lifelong journey for me - and it will never end. I adore researching everything I can about jewelry and gems of all kinds, and sharing the information. Thank you for joining the extra scoop club -😘🍨 I've sent you a direct message on Patreon, and I would love to take a look at this brooch! You can also email me directly at [e-mail] ❤❤

[@hannahthufvesson]

@@sundaebaubles Hi Jen, I just answered you on Patreon! ☺️

[@jeannestrickland7027]

Thank you

[@sundaebaubles]

❤️

[@christiantorrens7267]

I love the brooch with the diamonds and multi colored sapphires that’s my favorite

[@sundaebaubles]

Agreed, it’s spectacular! 💖 Thank you so much for watching & commenting, @christiantorrens7267 😘

[@mickeymarkman8232]

I have few with the C most are Art Deco And trombone as well I can look and look adore that period And Jewellery of almost all periods Thank you again 🙏❤️

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching, Mickey! I adore the Art Deco period as well - such fantastic designs and workmanship 💖

[@pamavery9352]

Very informative! TY

[@christhompson4270]

Hi new here, Gina said to check you out and I’m glad she did. Thank you for sharing 👍👏😁

[@sundaebaubles]

Welcome, Chris!! I’m so glad Gina pointed you in this direction 🥰 Thank you so much for watching & commenting 💖

[@mickeymarkman8232]

Enjoy it so much So clear ,,

[@christina-yp6jy]

Love your channel Jen!

[@sundaebaubles]

Thank you so much, Christina!! ❤

[@patzycraftzypatricia]

Thank you sundae for sharing I did screenshot to keep I love watching your videos so much knowledge I would love to see your collections show and tell

[@sundaebaubles]

😘 Thanks, Patzy! More videos coming very soon 😉

[@lamarak4839]

Love your videos! Very interesting! 👍👍🙏🙏🙏

[@sundaebaubles]

Thank you so much for watching & commenting, Lamara! 💖

[@carolheringer5513]

Wonderful video again!!

[@sundaebaubles]

Thanks for watching, Carol! 💖

[@patmorrison474]

What a fantastic video. I had no idea so this information is invaluable!! Is there a way to get this time line with.the pictures in the form of a PDF? I subscribed snd n will eagerly be waiting for more videos Happy thrifting. 😊

[@sundaebaubles]

Welcome to the channel, patmorrison474! ❤️ If you drop me a line at [e-mail] I will gladly send you a PDF 😘

[@AntiqueAgenda]

I love your videos Jen!! I found a bracelet that appears to be handmade with removable pin style clasp..the only marks are the initials TG. It has me so intrigued as to its history! Any chance bracelet clasps will be your next video LOL???

[@sundaebaubles]

Hi Antique Agenda! A video on clasps are in the works - for both necklaces and bracelets, but I think I' probably a few weeks out. Work schedule means I can only do about one a week... but I will try to accelerate it! You are welcome to send me a pic, I'd be happy to take a look at the bracelet and see if I can help! ❤ (pls email [e-mail])

[@strongmindsjewelrylovers7518]

Love this , great video 💓💓

[@sundaebaubles]

😊 thank you so much for your kind words! ♥️

[@TimelessjewelbyDebra]

Great video

[@sundaebaubles]

❤ Thank you, Debra!!

[@user-zp4fp3on1b]

Τι ωραία καρφίτσα η τελευταία με τα λουλουδάκια αλά δεν έχω χρήματα να την αγοράσω κρίμα 😢

[@sundaebaubles]

Σας ευχαριστούμε πολύ που παρακολουθήσατε ♥️🥰

[@AnthonyGarlic-tr9br]

My brother in law sent 📤 me some family brooches.

[@sundaebaubles]

Wonderful! Have fun researching them & don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions!

[@trinacerk7608]

On the first brooch, the pin extends beyond the brooch. That determines the date also.

[@sundaebaubles]

Hi Trina - it sure does! Older brooches had longer and typically thicker pins to help go through coarse fabrics. Please email me at [e-mail] -- I have a prize for you, from the giveaway!

[@MsMEdinger]

Do you know what this mark would be? MB the B being small in size yet attached to the M.

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello, thanks for watching! I can't recall this one off the top of my head; have you tried the Antique Jewelry University site to look it up? You can access it here: www.langantiques.com/university/makers-marks-2/

[@trinacerk7608]

Would you recommend a persidium to detect different materials in jewelry. Not sure if I asked that right...lol

[@sundaebaubles]

Great question! The Presidium Gem Tester 2 can be great to provide an indication of what a stone is, but but it isn’t the ‘end all be all’ - sometimes the results are unclear, and it can’t detect between synthetic and natural. I think it’s a fantastic too to have as part of one’s toolkit (albeit an expensive one), but it’s important to make sure that it is properly calibrated & also to rely on other indicators - like louping a stone to look for natural inclusions, etc.💖

[@Roniah80]

I have found brooch but i dont if its real platinum with diamond emerald 6

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello, and thanks for your question! To determine materials you can test the stones with a gem tester (like the presidium gem tester II); this is a great tool, however it does require calibration and some stone knowledge. Gold, silver and platinum can all be acid tested, however you may not want to do a scratch test. Perhaps the simplest option would be to take the brooch to a reputable jeweler who can take a look at it for you. Good luck!! 💚

[@Mellow845]

Hi would you know anything about this ots a bit damaged

[@sundaebaubles]

Hi there! You are welcome to send in a picture & I’ll take a look.

[@princessannaquino7782]

hello your video is amazing. can i send a message for you to check i just kept some brooch

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello, thank you so much for watching & absolutely! Please email sundaebaubles AT gmail.com

[@dulcetwenty]

What is a pin stop?

[@sundaebaubles]

Hi! Here is a link to a listing on Etsy that shows a variety of stick pin end caps : pin stops: www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1536061796/vintage-stick-pin-lot-stickpin-lapel ; I like to use silicon earring backs as pin stops like these : www.amazon.com/Silicone-Backings-Backstops-Replacement-100Pairs/dp/B07CJ6C6B2

[@edithjimenez4027]

I have a schreiner signed daisy brooch. Do you know anything about this?

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello Edith, thanks for watching! Here are a couple of references for Schreiner: An article about details which help identify their pieces: www.gadelles.com/articles/the-characteristics-of-schreiner-jewellery/ A Brief History: www.antiquetrader.com/collectibles/schreiner-costume-jewelry-sees-surge-in-demand-and-rise-in-values A great book about Schreiner jewelry & their history: caroletanenbaum.com/products/schreiner-book-2nd-edition#:~:text=Created%20in%20New%20York%20City,them%20apart%20from%20their%20contemporaries.

[@edithjimenez4027]

@@sundaebaubles thank you. I’ve read though some of these, but the value varies so much. I appreciate your reply ❤️

[@sundaebaubles]

@@edithjimenez4027 the two things to keep in mind are condition and marketplace. The better the condition, the higher it should be valued; you’ll see a wide range of listing prices depending on the marketplaces as well. Things tend to be listed higher on Ruby lane that Etsy, and Etsy higher than eBay for example.

[@jeannestrickland7027]

I don't see the difference between a handmade c clasp and a mass produced machine c clasp fastener

[@sundaebaubles]

This is a great question! It can help significantly to use a magnifier to get in really close, and look for soldering, tool marks, irregularities and signs of hand made workmanship. Some machine made pieces even have the clasp cast as part of the design. The hinge is sometimes more “telling” than the catch is, so take into account the “sum” of all of the fastener’s part when dating it. Try this: grab two brooches - one antique and one modern - and observe them closely with a magnifier. (If you don’t have a loupe or magnification glass, you can use the camera on your phone to zoom in). Try to notice the differences. I hope this helps ❤️

[@entrobangtv]

Great video. . I have some antique french brooches with lots of stones in. i am selling if anyones intrested.

[@timelesscharmbykate8502]

Thank you for sharing with us your Lovely Jewelry! I love jewelry videos that are education! My Favorites are Victorian and Edwardian Brooches , but I also collect Brooches from all Eras. If you have time please check out my Sarah Coventry Identification Videos on my KZbin Channel.

[@sundaebaubles]

Hi Kate, thank you so much for watching at commenting! I just took a look at the video - I love how how walk through the styles & use soothing music. Well done, thank you for sharing! ♥

[@timelesscharmbykate8502]

@@sundaebaubles Jen thank you so much for watching and letting me know what you think. I really appreciate your positive feedback!

[@denisecoleman6911]

Do u buy vintage?

[@sundaebaubles]

Hello Denise - love vintage! I don’t generally buy for resell, but sometimes offer pieces from my collection 😘