Modern More Rings
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.
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Modern More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
1960s British Vintage Modern More Rings
Gold, 22k Gold
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Jade, 14k Gold
1960s British Vintage Modern More Rings
Gold, 22k Gold
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Modern More Rings
Amethyst, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
1810s German Antique Modern More Rings
Gold, Berlin Iron
Late 20th Century British Modern More Rings
9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern More Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Modern More Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Japanese Modern More Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s British Vintage Modern More Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold
1980s British Vintage Modern More Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern More Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern More Rings
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Modern More Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s British Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold
2010s American Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s British Modern More Rings
Diamond, Gold
1970s British Vintage Modern More Rings
Garnet, Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s British Vintage Modern More Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern More Rings
Crystal, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern More Rings
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Modern More Rings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Modern More Rings
Diamond, Gold, White Gold
2010s Modern More Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Modern More Rings
Quartz, Gold
About Angara:
At Angara, every piece of jewellery is a handcrafted expression of love and individuality. We design with intention—using vivid coloured gemstones and ethically...
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern More Rings
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Jade, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Colombian Modern More Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Modern More Rings
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Colombian Modern More Rings
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern More Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern More Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Modern More Rings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Modern More Rings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Indian Modern More Rings
Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern More Rings
Diamond, Opal, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Modern More Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Modern More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Zambian Modern More Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Modern More Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Modern More Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern More Rings
Tourmaline, Gold