With men’s brooches enjoying a surge in popularity, numerous celebrities are now embracing this trend and incorporating them into their attire – including Robert Downey Jr, who dazzled in an 11 carat diamond starfish brooch from Rahaminov Diamonds at the 2024 BAFTAs.
Brooches have remained a perennially popular accessory for women, but up until recently, they’ve been considered a relic of the past for men. Whether adorning a lapel, tie, or pocket square, men’s brooches have become a subtle yet impactful way for individuals to express their individuality and elevate their ensemble.
Experiencing a notable surge – especially on the red carpet – men’s brooches have certainly captured attention recently. Steven Stone’s fine jewellery experts have unveiled comprehensive insights into these accessories and the celebrities who flaunt them.
The History of Men’s Brooches
The history of men’s brooches traces back to ancient times when they were commonly worn as decorative adornments on clothing.
Having gained popularity during the Roman era, brooches served both functional and ornamental purposes, symbolising style and status. Throughout the Middle Ages, they became emblematic of wealth and were crafted predominantly from luxurious materials such as silver or gold. During the Renaissance period, brooches evolved further, not only securing garments but also serving as markers of social standing.
Over the centuries, men continued to embrace brooches as a fashion statement, with diverse styles and designs emerging to suit changing tastes.
Today, men’s brooches remain a timeless accessory, offering a touch of sophistication and individuality to contemporary fashion ensembles.
Celebrities:
Usher
When Usher hit the stage at this years Superbowl half time show, he was wearing a bejeweled multi-layer white Dolce & Gabbana look. Displayed on his jacket was a huge crystal brooch in the shape of a Phoenix.
Fashioned from presumably the finest diamonds, the item was adorned with a ruby stones. Often used in high-end jewellry designs, rubies are a symbol of wealth and luxury.
A mythical bird rising from its own ashes, the phoenix symbolises resilience, renewal and the eternal cycle of life and death. It’s a poignant choice for Usher, who has just embarked on the next phase of his career with the release of his latest album, ‘Coming Home’.
Our experts estimate the piece to be worth around $100,000 (£79,000).
John Krasinski
For this years Critics Choice Awards, John Krasinski adorned his blazer with the exquisite ‘Paris Flames’ brooch fromTiffany & Co jewellery.
Designed by Jean Schlumberger, the dazzling piece is crafted from 18k yellow gold and platinum. Boasting a total carat weight of 1.32, the opulent accessory showcases the brilliance of round-cut diamonds, with an array of them intricately mirroring the dance of a blazing flame.
With its unparalleled craftsmanship and allure, the remarkable brooch is available for retail at $39,800 (£31,300).
Jeremy Allen White
John Krasinski wasn’t the only male flaunting an impressive brooch at this years Critics Choice Awards and we couldn’t take our eyes off Jeremy Allen White’s.
The actor wore an Elsa Peretti Amapola brooch from Tiffany & Co in 18k gold with red silk, which retails at $5,500.
Barry Keoghan
Barry Keoghan sported a custom red plaid Louis Vuitton suit at this years Golden Globes, with a brooch that gave a nod to ‘Saltburn’.
From Tiffany & Co. brooch, the circular gold brooch features a pink-eyed animal with antlers – a nod to his character Oliver’s fancy dress costume from the party scene in the award nominated film.
Dylan Sprouse
When Dylan Sprouse tied the knot with Barbara Palvin in July 2023, it wasn’t just the Bride who was dripping in jewels and Dylan displayed a chunky brooch on his jacket.
Barbara paired her Vivienne Westwood dress with a 90s inspired diamond choker, which was custom made from Tiffany & Co, so it’s likely that Dylan’s brooch is also a custom piece from the premier jeweller.
Comprised of white and yellow gold, the piece features round cut diamonds. Our experts estimate it to be worth approximately $15,000 (£11,900).
Michael B Jordan
Looking sharp in a custom Louis Vuitton ensemble for the 95th Academy Awards, actor Michael B Jordan adorned his lapel with a pair of Tiffany & Co’s ‘Bird on a Rock’ brooches.
Originating from the 1960s, these brooches stand as iconic jewelry designs of the 21st century, celebrated for their role in showcasing Tiffany & Co’s rarest and most extraordinary gemstones. This particular pair features a 40-carat morganite stone and a 50-carat green tourmaline stone, both set with a diamond bird on top embellished with round brilliant-cut diamonds, totaling approximately 2.75 carats.
Considering the historical significance of the design and the substantial size of the gemstones, our experts approximate the value of each brooch to be around $100,000 (£79,500).
Elton John
Elton John’s renowned style is as celebrated as his chart-topping hits. Throughout the years, he has adorned himself with splendid jewellery – notably an array of exquisite brooches.
In 1988, Elton wore a sapphire and diamond clip brooch to film the video for ‘I Don’t Wanna Go On Like That’. Adorned with brilliant-cut and baguette-cut diamonds, as well as oval-cut and circular-cut sapphires, this piece was purportedly crafted around 1935, although its designer remains unidentified. Our experts estimate it to be worth $64,000 (£50,000).
In 2012, Elton John adorned a meticulously crafted Queen Elizabeth Brooch during a concert in New York. Designed by Theo Fennell, the brooch showcases a combination of sapphires and diamonds, with a central ruby accent and embellishments of black onyx. Our experts estimate it to be worth $64,000 (£50,000).
When Elton John and his partner David hosted the 2013 Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Elton – dressed impeccably in a black tuxedo – elevated his ensemble with a striking pink flower brooch. Believed to be crafted by Chopard, the floral rubellite brooch displays pave-set pink sapphires, rubies, and diamonds. Our experts approximate its value to be $90,000 (£70,000).
When attending the 2020 Golden Globes, Elton was sporting an 18-carat gold and diamond bespoke Rocket brooch from Theo Fennell on the lapel of his tux – Elton was also seen wearing it at the 28th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Viewing Party in West Hollywood after the 2020 Oscars Awards ended. Featuring cabochon sapphires and diamonds, our experts estimate the 3cm long brooch to be worth $26,000 (£20,000).
If you’re looking for some jewellery inspiration, why not take a look at our full collection? Whether you’re after a necklace or some diamond earrings, we’ve got you covered. We also have a vast range of engagement and wedding rings.
If you don’t see anything that takes your fancy, we also offer a bespoke service, where our designers will create a unique piece of jewellery that ticks all the boxes.
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