Global Gemology - Rare Gems & Jewels
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DATING BROOCH FASTENERS

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Handmade tube hinge on an antique brooch
Handmade tube hinge on an antique brooch.

The list below can be used to help circa date vintage and antique brooches.

Please Note:  These examples are only to be used as a guide, as pins, catches, and hinges on older brooches are often damaged and repaired using more modern replacement parts.

Safety Catches

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HANDMADE C-CATCH (c. PRE-1910)
Handmade C-catch brooch fastener on a Victorian Era antique brooch
Handmade c-catch on an antique brooch

Prior to 1910, brooches were fastened by a pin that extends far beyond the handmade C-catch, with a tube hinge.​
TROMBONE CATCH (c. 1850-1910)
Handmade C-catch brooch fastener on a Victorian Era antique brooch

The push-pull "trombone" safety catch was patented in 1850, in Great Britain.  They didn't become popular in jewelry made in the United States until much later.
LEVER SAFETY CATCH (c. 1900-1930s)
Early handmade safety brooch fastener circa 1910-1930s

The lever safety catch was first used as a brooch fastener around 1900.
MODERN SAFETY CATCH (c. POST-1911)
Modern safety catch brooch fastener, post 1930s

The modern safety catch used to fasten brooch pins was invented in 1911. The modern pin catch features a rotating mechanism that secures the pin, preventing accidental slippage.  This style of safety catch is still widely used today.

Hinges

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HANDMADE TUBE HINGE (c. 1850-1870)
Handmade tube hinge on a Victorian era antique brooch

This type of handmade tube hinge was frequently seen between 1850-1870.
HANDMADE TUBE HINGE (c. 1870-1930)

This type of handmade hinge has two tubes soldered to a pad, which is easily soldered onto the reverse side of the brooch.  The third (middle) tube is soldered to the pin.
MACHINE-MADE ROUND HINGE (c. POST-1930)
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The round hinge was developed around 1930.  Usually machine-made, these parts saved jewelers both assembly time and labor costs.
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • SHOP
  • SERVICES
    • APPRAISALS
    • SELL YOUR JEWELRY
  • GEMOLOGY
    • GEM ENCYCLOPEDIA
    • THE ART OF GEMOLOGY
  • JEWELRY EDUCATION
    • DIAMOND FACTS
    • JEWELER DIRECTORY
    • JEWELRY PERIODS
    • POCKET WATCHES
    • NATIVE AMERICAN JEWELRY
  • GLOSSARY