A broach, or brooch, is a jewellery item attached to a garment to enhance the look of the garment. A broach is made up of a decorative exterior fitted on a pointed metallic pin and clasp that are used to attach it to the garment. A broach is typically made of metal and may be decorated with precious or semi-precious stones, enamel, glass, etc.
Broaches have been traditionally used by men and women both. In ancient times, people in Roman, Greek and Celtic societies wore the brooch near the shoulders to fix a piece of flowing cloth over the traditional dress. These broaches secured the cloth like a safety pin and were sometimes ornamented with gemstones. This kind of a broach was called a fibula and was frequently used to indicate ethnicity.
Today, the broach is worn over an outfit to give it a dressy look or in some cases, to fasten a cloak. It is also sometimes worn on the hair like a hair pin. A broach serves other purposes too, like ornamenting handbags and curtains.
Broaches may be made of precious metals like gold, silver or platinum. Traditional broaches are also known to have been made of metals like bronze and copper. The size of a broach is generally the size of an adult thumb. Though, slightly bigger or smaller sizes are also popular. Designs and styles for broaches are many. Some may have a single oval glass stone embedded in metal while there may be others with multiple precious or semi-precious stones embedded in various designs like butterflies, flags, flowers, etc.
Broaches can be of plain metal too. Or, they may have colourful precious and semi-precious stones like pink, yellow or white diamonds, violet amethysts, red rubies, blue sapphires, green peridots and emeralds, white opals, blue aquamarines, etc. For men, broaches can be worn over the traditional formal jacket or on the tie. Women can pair broaches with elegant cocktail dresses and evening gowns. As broaches are available in a variety of colours and designs, they can be used by men and women of all sensibilities and fashion styles. Though an old tradition, the broach nonetheless go well with the most contemporary of designs.
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