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.
Diamond Dolphin Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold
Located in Honolulu, HI
Bracelet Specifications: Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Carat Weight: 1.03 Diamond Color: G Diamond Clarity: VS Bracelet Length: ~8" adjustable to 6.5" or 7.5" Bracelet Wi...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
Diamond Green Malachite Pave Rocket Bullet Gold South Sea Pearl Chain Bracelet
Located in Tysons, VA
18K Yellow Gold Chains, Clasp, Bullet/Rocket, Letter (Solid Gold) Green Malachite Cabochon Gemstone Rocket Bullet 0.20 cts Diamonds South Sea Pearls with Amazing Lustre, Color and ...
Diamond, Malachite, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gol...
Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold Light Pink Coral Textured Semi Flex Vintage Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Tiffany & Co coral semi flex bracelet. Made for a smaller wrist size 6 to 6.25 inches. Crafted in 18K Yellow Gold, features a semi flix fit, wears smooth and feels nice on t...
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Platinum 21.00 cttw Pear, Marquise And Baguette Cut Diamond Vintage Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Step into the glamour of the 1970s with this exquisite estate diamond bracelet, a true testament to timeless elegance. Meticulously crafted in platinum, this bracelet boasts a capt...
Diamond, Platinum
$56,000Sale Price|20% Off
Multi Cushion Shape Blue Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Tennis Bracelet
Located in Tysons, VA
Multi Cushion Shape Blue Sapphire Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Tennis Bracelet 18 Karat White Gold Cornflower Blue Sapphires 15.00 CTW in Cushion-Shapes Diamonds: 8.00 ctw F/VS Lengt...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Black Resin Gold Chain Link Bangle
Located in Hoffman Estates, IL
Black Resin bangle bracelet featuring inlaid gold chain. Measurements : total diameter approx. 9.1 cm (3.58 inches) / inner diameter appr...
Base Metal
12.00 Carat Art Deco Openwork Diamond Bracelet in Platinum
Located in New York, NY
This gorgeous Art Deco bracelet features 12.00 carats of glittering diamonds and a beautiful filigree design in Platinum. The center diamond is a .75 carat old cut gem. The diamond i...
Diamond, Platinum
Freshwater Pearl and Diamond 18 Carat White Gold Bracelet
Located in London, GB
This elegant bracelet features ten round rosé coloured freshwater pearls, beautifully accompanied by 22 round brilliant cut diamonds, two in between each pearl, mounted in four claw ...
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Platinum 30 Carat Round And Baguette Cut Diamond Tassel Vintage Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Circa 1950's Platinum 30 Carat Round Diamond Tassel Bracelet. Drape yourself in the opulence of yesteryears with our Circa 1950's Platinum Tassel Bracelet. This timeless piece boas...
Diamond, Platinum
$44,000Sale Price|20% Off
Multi Fancy Shape Green Emerald Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Tennis Bracelet
Located in Tysons, VA
Multi Fancy Shape Green Emerald Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Tennis Bracelet 8.00 Ctw Emeralds with Deep Green & Forest Green Colors/Hues Very Beautif...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
$6,472Sale Price|20% Off
Black Diamond and White Diamond Bracelet 18k White Gold
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This handmade bracelet is a stunning piece of jewelry that features a unique design. The bracelet is crafted in 18K white gold and rhodium black gold, adding to the luxurious feel of...
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$800Sale Price|20% Off
Paper Elongated Clip Link Charms Fashion 18 Karat Yellow Solid Gold Bracelet
Located in Tysons, VA
18K Yellow Gold Charms and Pendants can be attached to the center + side + any links in this bracelet Great For Layering Great Value Length 7.5 Inches (Adjustable Links)
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
18K Two-Tone Gold 5.35 Carat Natural Diamond Geometric Link Bracelet
By Jewel Palate
Located in Deira, AE
A contemporary statement piece with timeless appeal, this elegant bracelet showcases an intricate geometric link design crafted in luxurious 18K white and yellow gold. Alternating po...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Retro Style Diamond Bangle
Located in Hong Kong, HK
18K Yellow Gold Retro Style Diamond Bangle 22 Diamonds - 0.42 CT 1 Jade - 0.36 GM When Jade meets 18K Gold bangle with all of the shining round diamonds, it brings you an elegant l...
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
$7,500 / item
8.31 Carat Diamond Bracelet
Located in Hoffman Estate, IL
Cast from 18 karat gold & sterling silver, this beautiful bracelet is hand set with 8.31 carats of shimmering diamonds. FOLLOW MEGHNA JEWELS storefront to v...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver