Skull Pendant Men
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Chain Bracelets
Black Diamond, Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Chain Bracelets
Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Chain Bracelets
Black Diamond, Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Gold, Titanium
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Vintage 1960s Swiss Wrist Watches
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14k Gold, Yellow Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1940s American Retro Wrist Watches
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Mid-20th Century Wrist Watches
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Artisan Fashion Rings
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21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Artisan Fashion Rings
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21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Wrist Watches
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Late 20th Century Chain Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Gold, Titanium
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
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2010s British Beaded Bracelets
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2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
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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.
- Which pendant is good for men?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Any pendant can be good for men. There are no hard-and-fast rules for what type of pendants men can wear, so choose anything that appeals to you. Some classic pendants for men include crosses, feathers, anchors and coins. On 1stDibs, find a large collection of pendants from some of the world's top dealers.
- Should men wear pendants?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 8, 2023Yes, men should wear pendants if they wish to wear them. There are no rules regarding what types of jewelry men can wear. Historically and across cultures, both men and women have worn pendants. A man can wear any pendant necklace that is meaningful or appealing to him. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of pendants from some of the world's top dealers.
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