What is a duette in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A duette is a piece of jewellery consisting of two separate clip-on brooches that can be mounted side by side on a shared pin back to function as a single brooch, or detached and worn individually as two smaller clips. The format was particularly popular in the Art Deco and Retro periods, when symmetrical, interchangeable jewellery was fashionable. Wearing the clips together creates a bold, formal statement piece, while separating them gives two subtler, everyday accessories from the same set.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you wear a duette?
- You can clip both pieces onto the shared pin back and wear them as one brooch on a lapel or collar, or remove them from the frame and wear each clip separately on different garments. The versatility was part of their appeal.
- When were duettes popular?
- They were most fashionable in the 1930s and 1940s, spanning the Art Deco and Retro periods in fine jewellery. Makers like Trifari produced famous examples, and original pieces are now collectable antiques.
- Is a duette the same as a double clip brooch?
- Yes, double clip brooch is another name for the same concept; two clip fittings that can combine on a pin frame or come apart. Duette was a trademarked name used by some makers, which became a general term for the style.
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