Housing the pin
The safest interior holds the brooch against a pad with the pin passed through a slit or held under a covered bar, exactly the way it would be worn on fabric. The pin is then captive and nothing else in the box can reach it.
Laid loose, a brooch turns in transit, and an open pin will mark a lining or scratch another piece.
Flat presentation
A brooch is a flat object and is read face-on. The interior is usually a pad rather than a well, so the piece sits proud and is the first thing seen when the lid opens.
Large and irregular pieces
Brooches vary more in shape than any other category. A long bar, a wide spray and a small clip need different pads, and a stock interior will suit one of them.
For a range, send photographs of the extremes. The pad is then cut to hold the whole range rather than one shape.
Vintage and estate pieces
Estate brooches often have older, stiffer pin mechanisms that do not close as positively as a modern one. Where a box is made for estate stock, the pin housing is made slightly deeper so a partly-closed pin is still captive.
At a glance
| Brooch type | Interior | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Modern clip | Pad with slit | Standard |
| Long bar | Extended pad | Support at both ends |
| Wide spray | Full-face pad | Cut to the outline |
| Estate piece | Deeper pin housing | Older mechanisms sit looser |
Frequently asked questions
What do you need to make a brooch box?
The overall dimensions of the piece, the pin length, and a photograph face-on. For a range, the largest and the smallest.
Can one box hold several brooches?
Yes, as a tray with a seat for each, though pins must be housed separately so pieces cannot touch.
Does the pin need a separate cover?
Usually not, if the pin is housed under a bar or through a slit. A separate cover is used for unusually long or sharp pins.
What lining suits enamel and cold-set stones?
A soft nap that does not abrade — microfibre suede or velvet. Avoid anything with a coarse weave against enamel.
Tell us what you need
Tell us the ring, your brand and the quantity — we'll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.