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.
Vintage Mappin & Webb Bracelet or Watch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Long vintage Mappin & Webb presentation box suitable for a bracelet, wristwatch or narrow necklace. Finished in dark blue with gilt decoration and fitted with a royal-blue velvet...
Vintage Hancocks and Co Earring Box, Circa 1970s
By Hancocks
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Hancocks and Co fitted earring box of square form. Red leather exterior with a black velvet lined interior, designed for a pair of large drop earrings. Original maker boxe...
Other
Vintage Red Leather Jewellery Box with Crown Mark
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage square jewellery presentation box in red leather, lined in pale green satin with a small gilt crown to the lid. The crown is the only mark, set alone at the centre of the sa...
Other
Antique Walter Davies & Sons Diamond Merchants Ring Box, London
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Walter Davies & Sons ring box, the satin lid printed Walter Davies & Sons, Diamond Merchants, 40 St Martin's Lane, W.C.2, and at 148 Strand. The square case is mottl...
Other
Cartier Vintage Gold Tone Ribbed Metal Lighter
By Cartier
Located in Fairfax, VA
Vintage Cartier lighter featuring a classic slim rectangular profile with finely ribbed vertical texture across the gold-tone metal exterior. The streamlined design creates a timele...
Gold Plate
An Elizabeth Ii Silver Envelope Style Card Holder
Located in London, GB
An Elizabeth II sterling silver envelope style card holder, the case of a simple envelope design, bearing hallmarks for Sheffield 2017 and maker's mark Francis Howard. Measuring 9.5 ...
Silver
Vintage Omega Brown Leather Watch Travel Case
By Omega
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Omega watch case in brown pigskin grained leather, of unusual wedge form, stamped in gilt with the Omega symbol and name. Most Omega boxes ar...
Other
Vintage Italian Red Leather Jewellery Box, Gilt Tooled
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Italian jewellery box in red leather over wood, gilt tooled with a pattern of stars across the lid and stamped Made in Italy to the base. The lid lifts on a hinge to a red v...
Other
Vintage Garrard & Co. Large Jewellery Presentation Box, Crown Jewellers
Located in Braintree, GB
Large vintage Garrard & Co. jewellery presentation box in burgundy, the white silk lid stamped with the crown and the Crown Jewellers imprint of 112 Regent Street. The imprint r...
Other
Vintage Collingwood of Conduit Street Jewellery Box, By Appointment to the Queen
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Collingwood square jewellery box in green leather, the satin lid printed with the royal arms, By Appointment Jewellers to Her Majesty the Queen, Collingwood of Conduit St. Lt...
Other
Vintage David Webb New York Earring Box with Outer Box
By David Webb
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage David Webb Inc., New York earring presentation box in black suede, with its original black outer card box. The lid satin is stamped David Webb Inc., New York, and the base i...
Vintage Kutchinsky Watch or Bracelet Box, 1960s to 1970s
By Kutchinsky
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Kutchinsky watch or bracelet box of the 1960s to 1970s in black, the satin lid signed Kutchinsky in script. The case is long with softly roun...
Antique English Gold Mounted Cheroot or Cigarette Holder Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique English presentation case for a cheroot or cigarette holder, the satin lid stamped Gold Mounted, English Make. The long case is navy grained leather, lined in cream satin, with a peach velvet bed channelled to hold a holder of up to 11.3 cm. Dimensions Exterior: 12.8 x 3 cm Usable length: Approximately 11.3 cm Specifications - Origin: England, stamped Gold Mounted, English Make Period: Antique Exterior: Navy grained leather Interior: Cream satin lid, peach velvet channelled bed...
Other
Antique J.W. Benson Ivory Coloured Ring Box, Royal Exchange London
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique J.W. Benson Ltd ring box in an ivory coloured moulded case, the silk lid printed in gilt with a crown and Royal Exchange, London E.C. A small rounded cube with a cream push ...
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Earring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Tiffany & Co. earring box in dark blue, the lid blocked in gilt Tiffany & Co. The case opens to purple satin and a navy velvet pad slotted for a pair of earrings. D...
Antique Tiffany & Co. New York Earring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Tiffany & Co. earring box in navy leather, the lid blocked in gilt Tiffany & Co., New York. The case is a deep rounded rectangle in navy grained leather. It opens to...
Other
Vintage Chaumet Suede Jewellery or Watch Box
By Chaumet
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Chaumet presentation box in tan suede, the lid stamped CHAUMET L'ARCADE in white, opening to a fitted suede cushion. The case is square and soft cornered, covered in tan sue...
Vintage Garrard London Watch and Bracelet Box, Circa 1950s
By James Garrard
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Garrard London presentation box from the 1950s, retaining the Royal Warrant crown mark to the satin lined lid. Garrard are Crown Jewellers, and original Garrard presentatio...
Antique J. Harvie Oban Stick Pin or Brooch Box, Green
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique J. Harvie presentation box in green leather, the satin lid carrying a label reading J. Harvie, Jeweller, Oban. From a jeweller in the Highland port of Oban. The long case is...
Other
Vintage S. J. Phillips Ltd London Pendant Presentation Box, Circa 1950s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage jewellery presentation box retailed by S. J. Phillips Ltd of 139 New Bond Street, London W.1. Substantial fitted rectangular form in red leather with a finely ribbed grain ...
Other
Antique Fortnum & Mason Watch, Brooch and Ring Suite Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Fortnum & Mason fitted presentation box for a suite, the velvet tray cut for a watch, a brooch and a ring, the silk lid signed Fortnum & Mason, London. The signature...
Vintage Asprey Fenchurch Street Square Presentation Box
By Asprey
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Asprey square presentation box in red leather, the satin lid printed Asprey, 153 Fenchurch St., E.C.3. The case is red grained leather tooled with a gilt border, opening to ...
Other
Vintage Bravingtons Ring Box, Orange Marbled Case
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Bravingtons ring box in an orange marbled moulded case, the silk lid printed Goldsmiths and Jewellers, Bravingtons, King's Cross, 71 Ludgate Hill & 189 Brompton Road, W. ...
Antique J.H. Werner Berlin Court Jeweller Bracelet Box, Unter den Linden
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique bracelet box from J.H. Werner, Hof-Juwelier, Berlin, the silk lid printed with a crown and the court appointments to the Kaiser and Kaiserin. The imprint names Werner as cou...
Antique Léon Pull Paris Small Jewellery Box, Rue Montaigne
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Léon Pull jewellery box, the satin lid printed Horlogerie Bijouterie, Léon Pull, Paris, 19 Rue Montaigne. A small white case edged in pale aqua silk, opening to cream satin ...
Antique 19th Century Oval Red Leather Locket or Mourning Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique 19th century oval red leather presentation box made for a locket, mourning jewel or miniature, opening on its side hinge to a dark green velvet interior. Both halves are dom...
Other
Vintage A. Stowell & Co. Boston Cufflink Box, Lizard Skin
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage A. Stowell & Co. cufflink box covered in lizard skin, the satin lid stamped in gilt A. Stowell & Co., Boston. A. Stowell & Co. was one of Boston's leading jewell...
Vintage K. Mikimoto Ginza Tokyo Pearl or Ring Box, Purple Velvet
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage K. Mikimoto Inc. presentation box in purple velvet, the satin lid printed with the MS shell mark and K. Mikimoto Inc., Ginza, Tokyo, in English and Japanese. Kokichi Mikimot...
Vintage Mappin & Webb Cufflink Box, By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Mappin & Webb Ltd cufflink box, the satin lid blocked in gilt with the royal arms and By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen, Silversmiths. The case is purple leatheret...
Vintage Chas. Packer & Co. Ring Box, Regent Street London
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage ring box from Chas. Packer & Co. Ltd, Goldsmiths, 76 & 78 Regent St, the silk lid printed with the firm's circular stamp. Charles Packer & Co. were Regent Street...
Other
Vintage Collingwood Ring Box, Jewellers to the Royal Family, Conduit Street
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Collingwood ring box, the silk lid printed with a crown, By appointment, Collingwood, to the Royal Family, 46 Conduit St W. The case is a small cube in dark grey leather wit...
Other
Vintage 1970s Longines Watch Presentation Box
By Longines
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage 1970s Longines watch presentation box in silver grey, the lid and the interior both stamped Longines in gilt with the winged hourglass. The case is the long flat form Longin...
Antique Howard & Co. Fifth Avenue New York Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Howard & Co. presentation box in navy leather, the satin lid stamped Howard & Co., Fifth Ave., N.Y. The domed rectangular case opens to cream satin and a cream velve...
Other
Vintage David Morris London Ring Box, Brown Suede
By David Morris
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage David Morris ring box in brown suede, the interior stamped in gilt David Morris, London, with the house monogram. The rounded case closes with a strap and press stud and ope...
Vintage Collingwood Conduit Street London Brooch Box, By Royal Appointment
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Collingwood jewellers presentation box from 46 Conduit Street, London W.1, bearing the Royal Warrant of Her Majesty The Queen. Compact square form, fitted for a brooch, pen...
Vintage Fred, 6 Rue Royale, Paris Jewellery Box, Circa 1930s to 1960s
By Fred
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Fred Paris jewellery box, bearing the celebrated address 6 Rue Royale, Paris. Rectangular fitted presentation box from one of the leading French jewellery houses. Fred Joa...
Vintage Liberty of London Grey Earring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Liberty of London earring presentation box of square form, with a grey exterior and a fitted velvet interior bearing the Liberty of...
Vintage Hancocks and Co Red Leather Necklace Box, Circa 1950s to 1980s
By Hancocks
Located in Braintree, GB
A large vintage Hancocks and Co necklace box. Red leather exterior with a black velvet lined interior. Long fitted presentation box, designed to hold a necklace flat. A handsome mak...
Other
Vintage Golay Lerèsche and Fils Geneva Watch Presentation Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Swiss watch presentation box marked Golay Lerèsche and Fils, also stamped Golay Fils and Stahl, Genève. Slender rectangular form in red ...
Other
Boodles and Dunthorne Vintage Leather Jewellery Box, Circa 1970s to 1990s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Boodles and Dunthorne jewellery box with a leather exterior and a black velvet lined interior. Compact square form, ideal for a ...
Other
Antique Johnson Walker and Tolhurst, 12 Conduit Street London Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique ring presentation box by Johnson, Walker and Tolhurst Ltd of 12 Conduit Street, London W. Traditional fitted square form with the original jewellers retailer mark printed ...
Vintage Peter Edwards Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage jewellery presentation box by Peter Edwards. Square form with a grey exterior and a fitted satin lined interior bearing the printed retailer mark. A handsome maker present...
Antique H. Drows, 20 Copthall Avenue, London EC Red Leather Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
A traditional antique ring box from H. Drows of 20 Copthall Avenue, London EC. Red leather exterior with a black velvet lined interior. Square fitted ring box, designed to hold a sin...
Other
Vintage Kutchinsky London Watch and Bracelet Presentation Box
By Kutchinsky
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage presentation box by Kutchinsky, the celebrated London jewellery house. Long rectangular form, suitable for a wristwatch or bracelet, retaining its original printed retailer...
Liberty of London Vintage Red Leather Bracelet Box, Circa 1940s to 1960s
Located in Braintree, GB
A vintage Liberty of London bracelet box in rectangular form, with a red leather exterior, gilt edging and a black velvet lined interior. Designed for a bracelet or a narrow wristwat...
Other
Antique F.W. Hartley Ltd, 41 Albemarle Street, London Blue Leather Ring Box
Located in Braintree, GB
An antique ring box from F.W. Hartley Ltd of 41 Albemarle Street, London. Blue leather exterior with a beige velvet lined interior. Square fitted ring box. A handsome Mayfair retail...
Other
Antique Black, Starr & Frost New York Round Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Black, Starr & Frost round jewellery box, the satin lid printed in gilt Black, Starr & Frost, Fifth Ave. cor. 48th St., New York. Black, Starr & Frost, descended...
Antique Austin Balsom Reading Ring Box, Octagonal
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Austin Balsom ring box, the satin lid printed Austin Balsom, Goldsmith & Silversmith, 14 King Street, Reading. The canted case is dark grey leather with a gilt border, o...
Antique 19th Century Brooch or Double Clip Presentation Box, Black Leather
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique 19th century presentation box in black pebbled leather, shaped and fitted for a brooch or double clip. The case has a waisted outline and a gilt tooled border, opening on a ...
Vintage James Walker The London Jeweller Pink Ring Box, Octagonal
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage James Walker ring box in an octagonal case covered in pink snakeskin effect paper, the satin lid printed James Walker, The London Jeweller. James Walker traded as a chain of...
Antique Bassot Joaillier Paris Brooch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Bassot jewellery box, the purple satin lid stamped in gilt Bassot, Joaillier, Paris. The small square case is red brown leather tooled with a diaper pattern, opening to purp...
Other
Vintage Tessiers Ltd New Bond Street Stick Pin Box, Grey
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Tessiers Ltd stick pin box in grey, the satin lid stamped in gilt with a roundel reading 26 New Bond St, Tessiers Ltd, London. Tessiers traded as jewellers and silversmiths ...
Vintage Hunt & Roskell Old Bond Street Ring Box, Red Leather
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Hunt & Roskell Ltd ring box in red leather, the satin lid printed with the royal arms, By Appointment to the late King George V, 25 Old Bond St, London W.1. Hunt & R...
Other
Antique The Alexander Clark Company London Jewellery Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Alexander Clark Co. Ltd box in raspberry leather, the satin lid printed with a crown and Diamond Merchants, Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, The Alexander Clark Co. Ld, London. The...
Antique H.L. Henry & Co. New Bond Street Long Jewellery Box, 1920s
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique H.L. Henry & Co. Ltd long presentation box of the 1920s, the satin lid printed in script 178 New Bond Street, London W.1. The case is a long slim rectangle in blue grain...
Other
Antique J.H. Dougherty Huddersfield Pendant or Medallion Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique J.H. Dougherty presentation box, the satin lid printed in gilt with a crown and J.H. Dougherty, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Kirkgate, Huddersfield. The rounded rectangular ca...
Other
Antique Reid & Sons Newcastle Brooch Box
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique Reid & Sons Ltd brooch box, the satin lid printed with a crown and Reids, Newcastle on Tyne, Est. 1778. Reid & Sons were Newcastle's leading goldsmiths, founded in 1...
Other
Antique J.H. Gillgrass Leeds Ring Box, Purple Leather
Located in Braintree, GB
Antique J.H. Gillgrass ring box in purple leather, the satin lid printed with a crown and Watchmaker & Jeweller, J.H. Gillgrass, 37 Vicar Lane, Leeds. The small rounded case ope...
Other
Vintage Garrard & Co. Watch or Bracelet Presentation Box, 112 Regent Street
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Garrard & Co. presentation box for a watch or bracelet, the lid blocked in gilt with the royal warrant and the address 112 Regent Street. The silk reads in full: By appo...
Vintage Asprey & Co. Jewellery Presentation Box, New Bond Street
By Asprey
Located in Braintree, GB
Vintage Asprey & Co. jewellery presentation box in burgundy leather with a gilt tooled border, the satin lid stamped with the royal arms and Asprey & Co. Ltd, New Bond Street...