Skip to main content

Modern Beaded Bracelets

MODERN STYLE

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.

to
42
83
42
37
32
23
45
38
13
10
8
35
95
1
6
3
1
6
1
68
59
3
59
28
6
5
4
to
11
9
6
4
3
151
135
53
43
28
7
6
3
3
2
2
2
1
1
104
26
69
52
Style: Modern
Bespoke 17.95 Carat Black Diamond Silver Stainless Steel Macrame Bead Bracelet
Located in London, GB
Made to order, this 17.95 Carat Black Diamond Stainless Steel Magnetite and Silver Macrame beaded bracelet features 6 satin beads and 10 Stainless Steel beads and 5 faceted black dia...
Category

2010s British Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Black Diamond, Steel, Stainless Steel, Silver, Sterling Silver

1.91 Carat Blue Sapphire Stainless Steel Silver Macrame Bead Bracelet
Located in London, GB
This 1.91 Carat Blue Sapphire Stainless Steel and Silver beaded bracelet from The Original Tresor Paris Caresse Blue Collection. This Bracelet features 18 satin beads and 8 Stainless Steel beads and two Magnetite rings...
Category

2010s British Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Silver, Stainless Steel, Steel, Sterling Silver

Genuine Rainbow Sapphire and Opal Bracelet in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in GOES, NL
The perfect pastel rainbow gemstone bracelet, methiciously handknotted and finished with a gold clasp. A stunning bright colored mix of precious gemstones around your wrist! This bea...
Category

2010s European Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Citrine, Moonstone, Opal, Quartz, Rainbow Moonstone, Sapphire, Turquoise...

Genuine Turquoise and Lapis Bracelet in 14K Yellow Gold
Located in GOES, NL
The perfect blue multi gemstone bracelet, methiciously handknotted. An ocean breeze of precious gemstones around your wrist! This beauty is made of 7-8mm polished gemstones such as;...
Category

2010s European Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Turquoise, 14k Gold

Blue Sapphires Pave Set Rocket Bullet White Pearl Sterling Silver Bracelet
Located in Oakton, VA
* Genuine Blue Sapphires Gemstones 2.50 CTW * Natural White Pearls * 925 Sterling Silver & White Rhodium Plating * 7 to 8.7 Inches Adjustable Clasp * Designed & Handmade in Washingto...
Category

2010s American Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver

Genuine Blush Pink Opal Beaded Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in GOES, NL
The perfect blush pink bracelet, methiciously handknotted with the finest sparkling pink Peruvian opals. A composition of pink precious gemstones around your wrist! This beauty is ma...
Category

2010s Peruvian Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Opal, 14k Gold

Tanzanite and Sapphire Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in GOES, NL
The perfect blue multi gemstone bracelet, methiciously handknotted. A composition of blue and purple precious gemstones around your wrist! This beauty is made of 7-8mm polished gems...
Category

2010s European Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Amethyst, Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Sapphire

Pink Sapphire and Opal Beaded Yellow Gold Bracelet
Located in GOES, NL
The perfect blue multi gemstone bracelet, methiciously handknotted. A composition of pink precious gemstones around your wrist! This beauty is made of 7-8mm polished gemstones such ...
Category

2010s European Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Opal, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

11.76 Carat Emerald Silver Stainless Steel Modern Classic Bead Macrame Bracelet
Located in London, GB
This 11.76 Carats Emerald Stainless Steel and Silver beaded bracelet from The Original Tresor Paris Tendresse Vert Collection. This Bracelet features 7 satin finished beads and 14 shiny Stainless Steel beads and two magnetite rings...
Category

2010s British Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Emerald, Silver, Stainless Steel, Steel

Marianne Ostier 3 Strands Akoya Pearl Diamond White Gold Bracelet
Located in Austin, TX
A beautiful Marianne Ostier branded mid century 3 strands Akoya cultured pearl bracelet with diamond clasp and 2 diamond spacers. 3 i...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Beaded Bracelets

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold

Recently Viewed

View All