Dragonfly Brooches Worth Serious Money (9 Rare Finds From Tiffany, Lalique & More)

Have you ever seen a sparkling dragonfly brooch at a garage sale or maybe in your mother’s trinket box? If yes, there’s a chance that you were looking at a small fortune in disguise.

That’s right. Although commonly seen in the market, not all dragonfly brooches are actually common. Some have sold for as much as thousands at auctions.

This list covers some of the most collectible dragonfly brooches that actually fetch serious money. Scroll down to discover these designs, learn what makes them special, and what to look for.

Rare Dragonfly Brooches Worth Money

The dragonfly theme was first popularized in the late 1800s and has since then been associated with change, flexibility, and beauty. Designers like René Lalique changed the world of jewelry with a focus on the dragonfly’s transparent and beautiful wings and iridescent body.

The pieces are currently being actively collected for their intricate craftsmanship and other distinctive characteristics like plique-à-jour enamel and rhinestone pavé.

The following are some of the most collectible dragonfly brooch designs from the best makers that every collector should know.

1. Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond Brooch

Average Value	$2,000 – $8,000+
Production Period	1980s – 2000s
Key Features	Platinum, pavé or prong-set round brilliant diamonds, sapphire
Collectibility	Very High
Collector Notes	Check the hallmark “Tiffany & Co. PT950” (or PT950 alone).

Tiffany & Co. has made dragonfly jewelry since at least the 1890s, and its brooches are easily the most valuable in the category.

This example shown here is crafted in PT950 platinum with pavé-set round brilliant diamonds along the wings and body, and two round sapphires for eyes. The brooch also functions as a pendant via a hidden bail.

The combination of brand reputation, precious metals, and natural diamonds is why these pieces command a premium today!

2. Yellow Gold Plique A Jour Dragonfly Brooch

Average Value	$1,200 – $3,000+
Production Period	1890 – 1910
Key Features	Translucent enamel, solid 14k gold, handmade design.
Collectibility	Elite (for branded pieces)
Collector Notes	The enamel condition determines the value.

This dragonfly is adorned with Plique-à-Jour enamel, an enamel suspended in metal cells without a metal backing. This was the hallmark of Art Nouveau jewelry, giving it transparent wings that shine like those of real dragonflies.

This 14K gold dragonfly pin with intact plique-à-jour enamel wings, ruby accents, and original clasp mechanism is a highly rare find. Signed pieces by a known maker, such as A.J. Hedges & Co. or a French maker, can cost as much as $3,000 or more.

3. Schreiner Trembler Dragonfly Brooch

Average Value	$400 – $900
Production Period	1950s – 1970s
Key Features	Trembler mechanism, inverted rhinestones, faux pearls, hand-set construction
Collectibility	Very High
Collector Notes	Check the “Schreiner New York” signature plaque on the back.

Henry Schreiner founded his New York-based jewelry store in 1951 after having worked for Christian Dior, Norell, and Trigère. Schreiner’s Trembler Brooches are valuable and highly sought after.

Tremblers are pieces with parts that can be moved back and forth because of a spring. In this case, it’s the dragonfly’s wings and body.

This brooch combines this mechanism with his signature inverted rhinestones (set upside-down to pick up surrounding color) and faux pearls in rich pink and red tones, making it unique and collectible.

Since Schreiner made jewelry in limited runs, these brooches are rare finds, especially signed pieces.

4. Trifari Sterling Silver Topaz Crystal Dragonfly Brooch

Average Value	$400 – $900
Production Period	1940s
Key Features	Sterling silver base, large faceted crystals, “Trifari” crown mark.
Collectibility	High
Collector Notes	Look for the “Sterling” & Crown stamp.

Trifari is famous for applying fine jewelry standards to costume jewelry. However, from 1942 to 1947, Trifari was obliged to utilize sterling silver, which inadvertently created some of the most valuable pieces.

One example is this particular dragonfly design. It features large triangular topaz-colored glass wings, red rhinestone eyes, and white rhinestone body accents, looking like a fine jewelry piece.

These brooches can easily fetch $500–$900+ if found in pristine condition and are signed with the official “Trifari” crown mark.

5. Lalique Crystal Dragonfly Brooch

Average Value	$500 – $900
Production Period	Mid to Late 20th Century (Modern issues)
Key Features	Frosted or colored crystal, silver-tone metal frame
Collectibility	High
Collector Notes	Origina packaging boosts the value.

René Lalique is the most famous dragonfly jewelry designer. His 1897–98 “Dragonfly Woman” corsage ornament, now a museum piece, is considered one of the greatest Art Nouveau jewelry pieces ever made.

The modern Lalique company continues production in Baccarat, France. Its crystal dragonfly brooches use the brand’s signature frosted crystal, often with cobalt or sapphire blue detailing, set in silver-tone or gold-plated metal frames with the Lalique signature.

Although not as valuable as earlier pieces, modern Lalique dragonfly brooches with original packaging can still fetch $450–$800, thanks to the name’s legacy and high-quality craftsmanship.

6. Swoboda Gemstone Dragonfly Brooch

Average Value	$200 – $500
Production Period	1950s – 1979
Key Features	Semi-precious stones, gold-tone setting, hand-set stones
Collectibility	High
Collector Notes	Marks like “Swoboda” or “SWO Inc.” are from 1966 onward.

What is unique about Swoboda jewelry is that it uses genuine semi-precious stones instead of glass. In this dragonfly brooch, there are rubies, sapphires, and emeralds in gold-tone settings, as well as baroque polished stones such as moonstones.

Swoboda was active until 1979, and the pieces made between the 1950s and 1970s are highly sought after. The major contributor to the value of these pieces is the variety of stones used; a brooch with three or more named gemstones is usually desirable.

7. Ciner Paved Rhinestone Dragonfly Brooch

Average Value	$150– $400
Production Period	1970s – 1990s
Key Features	Heavy gold-plated base, pavé work, enameling, baguette accents
Collectibility	High
Collector Notes	Check the block letter “Ciner” mark (1930s–50s).

Emmanuel Ciner started making fine jewelry in 1892. But during the Great Depression, Ciner shifted to costume jewelry, while still maintaining fine-jewelry standards, like handmade designs and high-quality materials.

This large pavé rhinestone dragonfly is one of Ciner’s most recognized pieces. Around 4.5 inches, it features heavy gold plating, fully pavéd wings and body, and baguette stone accents.

Ciner still operates today and has a longtime partnership supplying pieces to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This connection makes the brand’s earlier pieces collectible today.

8. Christian Dior Clear Rhinestone Brooch

Average Value	$150 – $450
Production Period	1970s – 1980s
Key Features	Articulated tail, pave-set rhinestones, “Chr. Dior” signature.
Collectibility	Moderate
Collector Notes	Check the “Dior ©” mark on the back.

Dior’s vintage jewelry is known for its high-fashion flair. Its costume jewelry was produced not by Dior itself but by a network of licensed manufacturers.

This example is a German firm Henkel & Grosse dragonfly design that combines pavé-set clear rhinestones (or Swarovski crystals) with rhodium-plated silver-tone metal and a segmented tail that moves in sections.

Dior rhinestone pieces from the 1960s and 1970s are most collectible today, especially signed and dated examples like this one.

9. Avon Sparkling Dragonfly Pin

Average Value	$80 – $200
Production Period	1980s
Key Features	Aurora Borealis (AB) crystals, dangling elements, oversized design.
Collectibility	Moderate
Collector Notes	The original box is crucial for value.

Avon began its designer jewelry program in 1971, working with designers like Kenneth Jay Lane and Elizabeth Taylor. The 1980 Giant Dragonfly is one of the brand’s most dramatic insect pieces.

It has long, dangling crystal “streamers” and iridescent Aurora Borealis stones. The piece is oversized, measuring roughly 6 to 7 inches across. So, it’s practically a statement piece rather than an accent.

Avon positioned these pins as a collectible from the start, which is why the original box matters so much to today’s buyers. Although it’s costume jewelry, the combination of size and a unique design makes it collectible.

Collecting Dragonfly Brooches – What to Check?

Whether you’re collecting or selling old vintage dragonfly brooches. Make sure to check the following details for the best evaluation.

• Maker’s Mark & Signature: The first thing to verify is the mark. Check the back with a loupe for stamped, engraved, or plaque marks. Unsigned pieces can still be valuable, but attribution adds plus points for verified authenticity.
• Metal Content and Hallmarks: On fine pieces, verify the metal by the hallmarks. Platinum must have “PT950,” gold “14K” or “750,” and Sterling should be marked “Sterling” or “925.” No hallmark? You can go for professional metal testing.
• Condition of Stones: Missing or replaced rhinestones, cracked glass wings, or replaced enamel all reduce the value of both fine and costume jewelry pieces. But on costume brooches, original stones matter more than you’d think.
• Original Packaging & Documentation: For retro or modern branded brooches, such as Tiffany, Lalique, or Dior, original boxes and accompanying papers can add up to 20–30% to the original value. Always look for the box or any documentation of where a piece came before buying or selling.
• Working Mechanisms: On Schreiner and similar high-end trembler pieces, the mechanism should function. A brooch where the spring-mounted sections don’t move, or have been glued in place, or altered, won’t be worth as much.

Note: This article is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Some images are illustrative and may not represent actual brands, products, or related entities. All trademarks, product names, brand logos, packaging, and other intellectual property referenced remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Any brand mentions or references are provided solely for descriptive and educational context and do not imply any formal or commercial association.