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.
Cartier Paris Gold, Platinum and Diamond Compact France, Circa 1970
By Cartier
Located in Austin, TX
An exceptional and highly collectible Cartier Paris compact, masterfully crafted in 18 karat yellow gold and platinum. This elegant rectangular compact features a gently curved silho...
Diamond, Gold, Platinum
Skull Lighter Case Holder Memento Mori Gun Metal J Dauphin
By J DAUPHIN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Skull Lighter Case Holder Memento Mori Gun Metal Designer: J DAUPHIN The Skull Lighter Case is a rare archive object, handcrafted in Paris in 2008 and finished in ruthenium platin...
Brass
Vintage Bulgari White Leather Keychain with Metal Accents, Like New
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A Stylish Fusion of Functionality and Refined Italian Craftsmanship Add a touch of luxury to your everyday essentials with this Vintage Bulgari Keychain, meticulously fashioned in wh...
Base Metal
$49Sale Price|30% Off
Nijma M Fine Jewelry Modern White Velvet Ring Roll Box
Located in Toronto, CA
Whether at home, on the go, or traveling, make sure your precious rings are always safe with this white crushed velvet jewelry box pochette case with gold tassel detailing. The perfe...
William Spratling Mexican Mid-Century Modernist Parcel Gilt Sterling Silver Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Mexican Modernist table box. In sterling silver. By William Spratling. With a diaper trellis or lattice pattern throughout punctuated with parcel gilt knops or buttons. Se...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Figural J. E. Caldwell Apple Shaped Sterling Silver Covered Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A terrific apple shaped covered box. In sterling silver and marked for J. E. Caldwell. A wonderful vintage box with great design! Date: 20th Century Overall Condition: It is in o...
Sterling Silver
Antique Byford & Son Liverpool Leather Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A compact antique ring presentation box retailed by Byford & Son, Jewellers, 87 Dale Street, Liverpool. The octagonal case is covered in dark brown leather and opens to reveal a...
Other
Antique L. Faitelson Ilford Leather Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An early-20th-century ring presentation box retailed by L. Faitelson, watchmakers and jewellers of High Road, Ilford and East Ham. The small square case is covered in brown leather ...
Other
Antique J. P. Davis Boston Leather Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A compact early-20th-century ring presentation box retailed by J. P. Davis, 25 Bargate, Boston. The blue leather exterior has a rectangular form with rounded corners and a small bra...
Other
Vintage B. A. Seaby Ltd Three-Coin Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage red presentation case by B. A. Seaby Ltd of Great Portland Street, London. The royal-blue velvet interior contains three circular recesses designed to hold large coins, comme...
Vintage Oscar Heyman Velvet Jewellery Box, Circa 1960s to 1990s
By Oscar Heyman
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Oscar Heyman square jewellery box, covered in black velvet with a fitted velvet interior. Suitable for small jewellery items such as brooches and pendants. Oscar Heyman is...
Vintage Ilias Lalaounis Greek Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage jewellery presentation box by the celebrated Greek house of Ilias Lalaounis. Compact rectangular form in a pale cream finish with a fitted velvet interior. Ilias Lalaounis is one of the most respected Greek jewellery...
Hamilton and Inches Jewellery Box, 1920s to 1930s
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique Hamilton and Inches rectangular jewellery box, circa 1920s to 1930s. Fitted presentation box from the celebrated Edinburgh silversmiths and jewellers, holders of the Royal...
Silver
Antique Gillott and Co Bracelet Box, 1920s
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique bracelet box by Gillott and Co, circa 1920s, designed for a bracelet or a line bracelet, with the original retailer mark. Long slender fitted form. A handsome period brac...
Antique J. W. Henn and Sons Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage to antique ring presentation box by J. W. Henn and Sons, with the original jewellers branding. Traditional fitted form designed to hold a single ring securely. A character...
Antique Stewart Dawson Regent Street Round Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A circular antique jewellery presentation box retailed by Stewart Dawson & Company Limited, Regent Street, London. The case has a gold-toned textured exterior with decorative ed...
Vintage Rolex Watch Presentation Box, Circa 1930s to 1950s
By Rolex
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Rolex watch presentation box dating circa 1930s to 1950s. A genuine period Rolex box, ideal for the display or storage of a vintage Rolex wristwatch. Dimensions External: ...
Other
Vintage Hancocks and Co Earring Box, 1970s to 1990s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co earring presentation box, circa 1970s to 1990s, with the original retailer mark from this respected London jewellery house. Fitted form designed for a pair ...
Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Brooch Box, 1920s to 1930s
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique brooch presentation box by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, London, circa 1920s to 1930s. Traditional fitted form designed to hold a brooch securely. The Goldsmit...
Silver
Vintage Must de Cartier Square Ring Box, 1970s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Must de Cartier ring box, circa 1970s, of slim square form, with the original Cartier mark. A compact fitted ring box from the celebrated Cartier luxury line. Must de Cart...
Vintage Hancocks and Co Stick Pin and Brooch Box
By Hancocks
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co box of rectangular form, intended for a stick pin, brooch or small pendant. With original retailer marks from this respected London house. A useful display...
Collingwood Pink Leather Jewellery Box, Royal Warrant, 1950s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Collingwood jewellery box from Conduit Street, London, By Appointment Jewellers to Her Majesty The Queen. Square form, circa 1950s, wit...
Other
Vintage Harvey and Gore London Cufflink Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Harvey and Gore cufflink presentation box. Rectangular form in red leather with fine gilt tooled border, satin lined lid with the original Harvey and Gore retailer mark, fi...
Silver
Jacques Schouls French Jewellery Suite Box, 19th Century
Located in Braintree, GB
A rare early French fitted jewellery case by Jacques Schouls, likely 19th century and possibly dating to the late 18th century. Designed for a complete jewellery suite including earr...
Other
Antique French J. Fontan Bordeaux Large Jewellery Suite Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A substantial antique French jewellery presentation box retailed by J. Fontan, Joaillier, 24 Allées de Tourny, Bordeaux. The large rectangular case is covered in dark brown to black...
Other
Vintage R. H. Rai & Co. Bombay Blue Leather Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage ring presentation box retailed by R. H. Rai & Co., Bombay 1, an Indian jewellery firm established in Bombay in 1938. The square case has a dark blue leather exterior w...
Other
Antique Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. Presentation Box, by The Gorham Shop
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique presentation box marked Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co. and retailed by The Gorham Shop, Detroit, Michigan. Green leather exterior with a beige velvet lined interior. Like...
Silver
Vintage Hancocks & Co Red Leather Objet d’Art Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A substantial oval presentation box by Hancocks & Co, finished in deep burgundy-red leather with gilt edging and a brass push-button fastening. The cream satin-lined lid bears a...
Silver
Antique Weatherston and Son Necklace Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique necklace presentation box by Weatherston and Son, dating to the early 20th century, with the original retailer mark. Fitted form designed to hold a necklace. A handsome a...
Vintage Bailey Banks & Biddle Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage red Bailey Banks & Biddle presentation box with gilt edging. The open fitted compartment is suitable for a brooch, pendant, bracelet, medal or another small jewellery ite...
Vintage Graff London Black Leather Jewellery Box, Circa 1970s to 1990s
By Graff
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Graff London jewellery box of square form, with a black leather exterior and a black velvet lined interior. The interior has no fitted recess, making it suitable for a broo...
Other
Antique Pink-Purple Leather Ring Box, Circa 1920s to 1940s
Located in Braintree, GB
A traditional antique square ring box with a pink-purple leather exterior and a fitted velvet interior. Designed to hold a single ring securely. ...
Other
Vintage Hancocks and Co Brooch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co brooch box, circa 1990s to 2000s, with the original retailer mark. The box has an unusual fitted recess, suited to a brooch of distinctive shape. A charact...
Vintage Must de Cartier Ring Box, 1970s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Must de Cartier ring box, circa 1970s, of square form, with the original Cartier mark. Designed to hold a single ring securely within its fitted velvet recess. Must de Car...
Antique Joseph Bell Black Leather Ring Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Braintree, GB
A compact antique ring presentation box retailed by Joseph Bell, dating from the early 20th century. The square case is covered in black textured leather and decorated with a fine g...
Other
Antique Johann Tresnak Vienna Green Brooch Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique Austro-Hungarian jewellery presentation box retailed by Johann Tresnak, with addresses in Vienna and Karlsbad. The rectangular case has a dark green exterior, a contrasti...
Other
Vintage Hancocks and Co Red Leather Watch and Bracelet Box, Circa 1950s to 1970s
By Hancocks
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co box in long rectangular form, with a red leather exterior, gold trim and a black velvet lined interior. Suitable for a wristwatch or a slender bracelet. Ha...
Other
Antique Cartier Ring and Pendant Box, 1920s
Located in Braintree, GB
A small square Cartier presentation box, circa 1920s, with the original Cartier mark. Suitable for a ring or a small pendant. An original 1920s Cartier ring box is a genuine collect...
Vintage Patek Philippe & Cie Genève Pocket Watch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An original vintage pocket-watch presentation box by Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève, dating to approximately the mid-20th century. The rectangular case is covered in black leather...
Other
Vintage Hancocks and Co Earring Presentation Box, Circa 1980s to 1990s
By Hancocks
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co earring presentation box from the 1980s to 1990s. Compact red leather cushion-form square with gilt tooled border, satin lined lid with the original Hancock...
Other
Vintage W.D. Webb, Greenwich Watch Box, Suede Covered, Circa 1930s to 1950s
By BB
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage W.D. Webb watch box from Greenwich, Stamford, Connecticut, likely associated with the celebrated American jeweller David Webb. The box has a suede covered exterior with a v...
Vintage Hancocks and Co Dress Set Presentation Box
By Hancocks
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co dress set presentation box, fitted for cufflinks and studs. With original retailer marks from this respected London jewellery house. A handsome maker box, ...
BOGH-ART Boghossian Purple Leather Ring Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A luxury jewellery presentation box branded BOGH-ART, the former design identity associated with the Boghossian jewellery house. The architectural square case is finished in metalli...
Other
Vintage Fred Leighton New York Red Suede Dress-Set Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage jewellery presentation box by Fred Leighton, New York, designed to hold a gentleman’s dress set, cufflinks, shirt studs or a combination of small jewellery pieces. The rec...
Antique J. A. Johnston Ulverston Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique ring presentation box retailed by J. A. Johnston Ltd, jewellers and silversmiths of Ulverston and Grange. The square case has a mottled brown leather-covered exterior wit...
Silver
Large Antique Green Necklace Presentation Box, Circa 1900
Located in Braintree, GB
A large antique necklace presentation box dating from the late 19th or early 20th century. The rectangular case is covered in dark green textured material and opens to reveal a crea...
Antique Fauveau-Bidet Chartres French Octagonal Brooch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A decorative antique French jewellery presentation box retailed by Fauveau-Bidet of Chartres. The octagonal case has a gold-toned textured exterior embellished with delicate gilt fl...
Silver
Antique Neubauer Menton French Green Brooch or Pendant Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A compact antique French jewellery presentation box retailed by Neubauer of Menton, on the French Riviera. The shaped rectangular case is covered in green crackle-effect material wi...
Antique Falk & May Bros Manchester Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An early-20th-century ring presentation box retailed by Falk & May Bros, jewellers of 22 Market Street, Royal Exchange, Manchester. The square case retains a decorative leather-covered exterior with gilt tooling and a small metal push-button fastening. It opens to reveal a cream satin-lined lid printed with a crown and the retailer’s Manchester address. The fitted lower section is lined in pale cream velvet and features a raised central cushion with a curved ring slot. Its compact proportions suit an antique engagement ring, wedding band, signet ring or small cluster ring...
Other
Antique Pickford & Co London Ring Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An early-20th-century ring presentation box retailed by Pickford & Co, goldsmiths, jewellers and watchmakers of 243 Old Street, London E.C. The compact square case is covered in...
Other
Vintage Krementz Mirrored Jewellery Suite Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A distinctive mid-century jewellery presentation box signed Krementz, designed for a jewellery suite, brooch-and-earring set or other coordinated group of jewels. The shaped case is...
Other
Vintage Nicholas Harris London Grey Bracelet or Watch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A long vintage bracelet or wristwatch presentation box retailed by Nicholas Harris, formerly of 26 Conduit Street, London W1. The rectangular case is covered in pale grey suede-effe...
Silver
Vintage 26 Conduit Street London Brooch and Earring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage grey suede-effect jewellery presentation box retailed from 26 Conduit Street, London W1. The unusually shaped case has clipped upper corners and a soft pale-grey exterior....
Harold J. Henry New York Leather Dress Set Travel Case, 1920s
Located in Braintree, GB
A rare antique leather travel pouch by Harold J. Henry, New York, with a button fastening, designed to hold a dress set of cufflinks and studs. Circa 1920s, in brown leather, with si...
Other
Antique Hamilton and Inches Ring Box, Circa 1910
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique Hamilton and Inches ring box, circa 1910, with the original retailer mark from the celebrated Edinburgh silversmiths and jewellers, holders of the Royal Warrant. Tradition...
Silver
Harrods London Watch and Bracelet Box, 1930s to 1950s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Harrods presentation box from approximately the 1930s to 1950s, with the original Harrods London mark. Long rectangular fitted form, suitable for a wristwatch or a bracelet...
Omega Watch Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Omega watch presentation box, with the original Omega branding. Fitted form designed to hold a wristwatch, ideal for the display or storage of a vintage Omega. Omega is on...
Vintage Gotham Watch Box, 1930s to 1940s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Gotham watch presentation box, circa 1930s to 1940s, with the original Gotham branding. Long fitted form designed to hold a wristwatch. An evocative period American watch ...
Vintage Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Cufflink Box, 1950s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage cufflink presentation box by the Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, London, circa 1950s. Slim fitted form designed to hold a pair of cufflinks. The Goldsmiths and Silver...
Silver
Antique Silvio Vincente Italian Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique Italian jewellery box by Silvio Vincente, suitable for brooches, pendants and small jewellery. Fitted form with the original ret...