Where to find great brooches

This brooch comprises some of the things to look for in costume jewellery: it's inspired by an actual piece (which most of us could never afford), a design by C R Ashbee (1863-1942), and good-quality materials: gold-plated with pearls, mother-of-pearl, and rhinestones.

Museum shops carry great brooches

• V&A shop carries a great selection of the most promising or established costume jewellery designers, plus some reproductions, like the one above. It always carries some great costume jewellery brooches, especially by Alexis Bittar, but also other designers.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art shop carries the most amazing selection of reproduction or art history inspired brooches I have ever seen. They have pieces inspired by Tiffany & Co., imperial Russia, Greek art, etc. I spend hours there whenever I visit New York, apart from visiting the collections, of course!

You can find great, original presents in museum shops, which also ship internationally. The great thing about buying at museum shops is that you are supporting the institution with your purchase.

eBay is a great place for vintage brooches

Search for W. Germany brooches, Czech brooches or any of the great brands of American or British costume jewellery designers:

• Kramer,
• Vendôme, 
• Trifari, 
• Lisner, 
• Kenneth Jay Lane,
• Butler and Wilson, 
• Schreiner, 
• Coro, 
• Stanley Hagler,
• Miriam Haskell,
• Monet