Rooted in centuries of history of adornment dating back to the ancient world, modern jewelry reimagines traditional techniques, forms and materials for expressive new pieces. As opposed to contemporary jewelry, which responds to the moment in which it was created, modern jewelry often describes designs from the 20th to 21st centuries that reflect movements and trends in visual culture.
Modern jewelry emerged from the 19th-century shift away from jewelry indicating rank or social status. The Industrial Revolution allowed machine-made jewelry using electric gold plating, metal alloys and imitation stones, making beautiful jewelry widely accessible. Although mass production deemphasized the materials of the jewelry, the vision of the designer remained important, something that would be furthered in the 1960s with what’s known as the “critique of preciousness.”
A design fair called the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes” brought global attention to the Art Deco style in 1925 and gathered a mix of jewelry artists alongside master jewelers like Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. Art Deco designs from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels unconventionally mixed gemstones like placing rock crystals next to diamonds while borrowing motifs from eclectic sources including Asian lacquer and Persian carpets. Among Cartier’s foremost design preoccupations at the time were high-contrast color combinations and crisp, geometric forms and patterns. In the early 20th century, modernist jewelers like Margaret De Patta and artists such as Alexander Calder — who is better known for his kinetic sculptures than his provocative jewelry — explored sculptural metalwork in which geometric shapes and lines were preferred over elaborate ornamentation.
Many of the innovations in modern jewelry were propelled by women designers such as Wendy Ramshaw, who used paper to craft her accessories in the 1960s. During the 1970s, Elsa Peretti created day-to-night pieces for Tiffany & Co. while designers like Lea Stein experimented with layering plastic, a material that had been employed in jewelry since the mid-19th century and had expanded into Bakelite, acrylics and other unique materials.
Find a collection of modern watches, bracelets, engagement rings, necklaces, earrings and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Star Shaped Diaper Safety Pin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver diaper or safety pin. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. The pin catch in the form of a star. Fully marked to the reverse for Tiffany & Co. Simply wonder...
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Hermes "Sac G8" Handbag in Black Box Leather
By Hermès
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare 1950s Hermes bag. By Hermes. In Black Box calf leather with gold plated hardware. In the rare G8 form. An elegant and practical take on the...
$1,552Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Tiffany Co 14K Yellow Gold Money Clip Engraved Diamond Pattern
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 14K Yellow Gold Money Clip – Engraved Diamond Pattern Circa 21st Century Total Weight: 5.75 grams (3.7 dwt) Length: 1 7/8” Origin: USA Elevate your accessory...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,763Sale Price|20% Off
3.12ct Natural Multi Sapphire Hair Clip Accessory 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Diera, Dubai
3.12ct Natural Multi Sapphire Hair Clip Accessory 18k Yellow Gold features round cut multi sapphires set over the hair clip making fine hair accessory. ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$6,124Sale Price / item|20% Off
3.19ct Natural Emerald Hair Clip Accessory 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Diera, Dubai
3.19ct Natural Emerald Hair Clip Accessory 18k Yellow Gold features mixed cut emeralds set over the hair clip making a fine hair accessory. Emerald is believed to enhance communicat...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,900Sale Price / item|20% Off
3.19ct Natural Emerald Hair Clip Accessory 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Diera, Dubai
3.19ct Natural Emerald Hair Clip Accessory 14k Yellow Gold features mixed cut emeralds set over the hair clip making a fine hair accessory. Emerald is believed to enhance communicat...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Russian Easter Egg A.Bragin 88 Silver & Champlevé Enamel / 104gr
Located in SE
A Russian Silver & champlevé Enamel Easter egg with gilt interior, workmaster’s marks of Андрей Брагин / Andrei Bragin ( active 1852 - 1908 ) , "88" Imperial standard, St. Petersb...
Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
$105 / item
Buffalo horn hairpin
By Lera Treyger
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Shiori is named for a state of spiritual concentration, a quiet narrowing of the mind’s lens until the world comes into precise, resonant focus. It is the stillness that allows one t...
Elegant 18K White Gold, Turquoise and Diamond Encrusted Crown, Fit for a Queen
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This very important 18k white gold vintage crown is set with a total of exactly 60.08ct of round brilliant cut and baguette diamonds, and with thirty four panels of vintage turquoise...
Diamond, Turquoise, White Gold, 18k Gold
$117 / item
Square buffalo horn comb
By Lera Treyger
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Wabi takes its name from a state of mind that embraces simplicity without apology, a quiet elegance born from imperfection. It is the absence of pathos, the shedding of excess, and t...
$20,000Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Diamond Compact 14K Bi-Color Gold Woven Design Case
Located in Chicago, IL
An exceptional vintage Tiffany & Co. compact, crafted in 14K bi-color gold and accented with diamonds, showcasing the refined elegance and meticulous craftsmanship synonymous wit...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$33,600Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier 14K Gold Mid-Century Ruby-Set Mirrored Pill & Compact Box
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
This exceptional Cartier pill and compact box is a superb example of refined mid-century French luxury, crafted in solid 14 karat yellow gold and richly accented with 57 natural rubi...
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Heart Shaped Perfume Flask & Funnel w Original Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver perfume flask and funnel. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. The perfume flask is in the shape of the heart and accompanied by...
Sterling Silver
$706Sale Price|20% Off
Cartier playing card holder in black leather
By Cartier
Located in Perugia, IT
Cartier playing card set with black leather case. New. Reference RPSH0802 Presented in Geneva at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in 2008. Complete with box , p...
CHANEL Vintage 1980 Double Quilted CC Chain Belt
By Chanel
Located in Honolulu, HI
Brooch Specifications: Designer: CHANEL Fits Waist Size Up To: 32" Chanel Logo Measurements: ~2.25" x 1.9" Stamped: "CHANEL "Made in France" Condition: Preowned Gold Plated
CHANEL Chain and Leather Loop CC Medallion Belt
By Chanel
Located in Honolulu, HI
Classic and chic, this vintage Chanel chain leather belt is crafted in gold-plated metal, accented with a 'CC' logo-engraved medallion pendant. Closure can be hooked on multiple link...
$3,010Sale Price / item|20% Off
3.12ct Natural Multi Sapphire Hair Clip Accessory 14k Yellow Gold
Located in Diera, Dubai
3.12ct Natural Multi Sapphire Hair Clip Accessory 14k Yellow Gold features round cut multi sapphires set over the hair clip making fine hair accessory. ...
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Old or Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Baby Teething Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver baby teething ring. By Tiffany & Co. With an internal rattle. Simply a great piece from Tiffany & Co! Date: Mid-20th Century ...
Sterling Silver
Sarah Jones Unique, Exhibited Sterling Silver Fly on the Wall Sculpture / Vessel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine, unique hand made vase or vessel By Sarah Jones. In sterling silver. Exhibited in the Exhibition entitled: Sayings in Silver In the form of a brick wall with an applied ...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Baseball Ball & Diamond Key Ring
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine signed silver key ring. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. The ring with an engraved baseball diamond charm and both ends with figural baseball terminals. The baseball ...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hugs & Kisses Photo/Picture Frame for Mickey Rudin
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver photo or picture frame. From the estate of Milton A. ‘Mickey’ Rudin, lawyer and confidant to Hollywood stars. With a gold & red enamel heart to the top center and an engraved dedication "Mickey Rudin" flanking it. Engraved to the left and right sides with "Hugs & Kisses to You" and a repeating "XOXOXO", and to the bottom "Love, Paula & Sam November 16, 1995". With a black easel...
Sterling Silver
CHANEL CC Chain Loop Medallion Belt 1985
By Chanel
Located in Honolulu, HI
Classic and chic, this vintage Chanel chain belt is crafted in gold-plated metal, accented with a 'CC' logo-engraved medallion pendant. Closure can be hooked on multiple links for a ...
Mid Century Modern Pressed Glass Vanity Set with Green Stoppers, 1940s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a 1940s Modern pressed glass vanity set. The set includes two bottles and one powder box. These three clear optical pressed glass dresser decorative pieces come with Kelly Gr...
$123 / item
Rectangular buffalo horn comb
By Lera Treyger
Located in Antwerpen, BE
Fueki-ryuko is named for a state of mind that holds the eternal within the ever-changing, a harmony between constancy and transformation. It speaks to the quiet recognition that whil...
Pineider Reptile Skin Covered Travel Beauty Case and Companion Jewelry Case
Located in Palm Beach, FL
These two unique and exquisite vintage travel accessories, sold as a set, were conceived and created by venerated Italian fashion house, Pin...
Brass
Antique FM European Art - Deco Mirror solid Silver / 293 gr
Located in SE
Great Mirror of faceted glass set in Sterling Silver frame designed and made in Europe, ca 1900s - 1920s with Modern / Art Deco in mind. Hand - engraved with initials of the first ow...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Monogrammed Key Holder or Key Chain
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine signed silver key holder. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. One of the ball shaped terminals is threaded and can be removed to add/remove keys from the ring. With ...
Sterling Silver
Never Give Up Citrine Tourmaline Enamel Unique Rossella Ugolini Design Cufflinks
Located in Rome, IT
Never Give Up Unique design men's cufflinks with citrine tourmaline and colored enamels on rhodium-plated sterling silver. Funny handmade cufflinks depicting a pelican eating a frog ...
Citrine, Tourmaline, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Rhodium, Silver
Antique Leonore Doskow Sterling Silver Ruler/Letter Opener
By Leonore Doskow
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique sterling silver ruler. By Leonore Doskow. With a pointed end for opening letters and 6 inches of measurement marks. Simply a gr...
Sterling Silver
Rossella Ugolini Silver&Gold Blue Ceramic Tiger Pendant Unisex Spiritual Symbol
Located in Rome, IT
Introducing the Rossella Ugolini Unisex Blue Tiger Pendant a sterling silver and blue Ceramic masterpiece, handcrafted in Italy. This captivating pendant showcases a powerful tiger w...
Gold, Silver