With The Madeleine Albright Collection on display at the Mint Museum, we have pins on the brain here at Donald Haack. If you haven’t had the chance to see the former Secretary of State’s collection of pins or read her book of the same name, “Read My Pins” will be at the Mint Museum Uptown through Sept. 23. As Charlotte takes part in history hosting the Democratic National Convention, you can also experience American history and Albright’s diplomatic messages through her powerful pins. Here are just a few of more than 200 pins you will see on display (all photos by John Bigelow Taylor):

Do you have a pin or two in your own jewelry collection that you’ve been wanting to show the world, but aren’t quite sure how to wear it? Sure, everyone knows the classic look on the lapel, but there are so many other ways to wear your pins and brooches. Here are some of our favorite looks:

We are swooning over this sapphire and diamond pin in our estate jewelry section:

This Ceylon Sapphire Brooch boasts more than nine carats of sapphire surrounded by a spray of marquis and round diamonds. Each of Albright’s pins sends a message. What message could this pin communicate? Besides “Look at me, I’m gorgeous!”