Martyn Lawrence Bullard Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Paper
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Tsavorite, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Modern Signet Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Books
Paper
Antique 18th Century Portuguese Baroque Decorative Boxes
Rosewood
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Vintage 1950s British Signet Rings
Carnelian, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century French Victorian Signet Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1980s Pendant Necklaces
Antique 1880s European Victorian Signet Rings
Agate, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Revival Signet Rings
Agate, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century American Georgian Signet Rings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Signet Rings
Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
18k Gold, Gold Plate, Vermeil
Vintage 1980s French More Bracelets
Gold
Vintage 1960s British Modern Signet Rings
Gold
Late 20th Century Signet Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Signet Rings
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Signet Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Signet Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s German More Necklaces
Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
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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.
Finding the Right signet-rings for You
Traditionally considered a ring for men, a vintage signet ring is a popular gift today for anyone who desires an expressive, timeless piece of jewelry that can feature all manner of engraved motifs, gemstones, specific symbols or monograms.
Whether it's an antique gold signet ring, diamond signet ring or some other classic iteration, signet rings get their name from signus, which means “sign” in Latin.
These rings, which may historically be referred to as “seal rings,” date back thousands of years and were used as a form of signature. Whatever may have been engraved on the ring — a married couple’s initials, a family crest — identified ownership for the purposes of authenticating documents and more when impressed on soft wax. During the Middle Ages, signet rings were symbols of power and prestige and common accessories for nobility. Later, during the 19th century, precious and semiprecious stones such as rubies and diamonds were added to gold signet rings as they took on a more ornate appearance than they had previously.
In recent years, fashion has been primarily about individuality, and nothing is more personal than a jewel bearing a name or monogram. That is the reason jewelers have revived traditional signet rings, custom-engraving their designs with customers’ preferred words or symbols. Those who prefer the thrill of the hunt have a range of vintage letter charms and pendants to sift through.
And it isn't all about men's signet rings anymore, either — the accessory is for everyone. Princess Diana wore a signet ring that was a gift from Charles before their wedding, and we all know that the royals are top-tier fashion influencers, especially when it comes to rings.
Find vintage diamond signet rings, onyx signet rings and other types of rings on 1stDibs.