Jewel Of Wailea
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern More Earrings
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern More Earrings
Amethyst, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern More Earrings
Turquoise, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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A Close Look at modern Jewelry
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.
- What colors are jewel tones?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Jewel tones are richly saturated hues named after popular gems. Jewel tones include emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red, amethyst purple, citrine yellow, among others.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 3, 2024No, jewels and gems aren't the same thing exactly. Although many people use the words interchangeably, they actually have different meanings. A gem is a precious stone in its raw state before being worked, while a jewel is the term for a gem that has undergone shaping and polishing to sell on its own or be incorporated into a piece of jewelry. Explore a large selection of jewelry on 1stDibs.
- What is a 17 jewel pocket watch?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021A pocket watch with 17 jewels is called a fully jeweled watch. For the mechanical movement, it uses jewel bearings from the center wheel pivot to the balance wheel. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of antique and vintage pocket watch options.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The number of jewels in a Patek Philippe watch varies depending on the movement. For example, the 324 S C self-winding movement found in many Calatrava and Nautilus timepieces has 29 jewels, while CH 29-535 PS Q hand-wound movement used in some Grand Complications watches features 33 jewels. Consult the official Patek Philippe website for specific information about how many jewels specific watches contain. You'll find a large collection of Patek Philippe watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024On a watch, 21 jewels means that the timepiece has a particular type of movement. Specifically, the movement features 21 jewel capstones that serve as bearings, allowing the gears inside to turn. Typically, only high-end mechanical timepieces feature 21 jewels, with 17 jewels being more common. Find a diverse assortment of watches from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What does 7 jewels watch mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The term “seven-jewel watch” means one that has seven pivots. This means that there are seven bearings on the wheel train that powers the movement of a mechanical watch. Pivots usually have natural or synthetic ruby gemstone insets, which is where the term jewel comes from. You'll find a collection of mechanical watches on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, most experts believe that no jewels belonging to Henry VIII remain in existence. Oliver Cromwell ordered the destruction of the king's crown and other jewels after he took control of the government in 1653. Find a variety of antique jewelry on 1stDibs.