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.
Pair of Mexican, Sterling Silver, Duck Containers by Tane
By TANE MEXICO
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This pair of sterling silver ducks might just be the thing that is missing from your life. The life size pair have been hand crafted from sterling silver and feature parcel gilt bodi...
Turquoise, Gold, Sterling Silver
1954 USSR Russian solid gilt 875 Silver Bowl Basket / 188 gram
Located in SE
Vintage Soviet period Basket in solid 875 Silver with cast decorations and gilt interior that follows traditions of Russian modernist designs of early 20th century. Period : Reign o...
Silver
Signed Southwestern Santa Fe Sterling Silver Tazza by Buddy Lee Mossman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare tazza or compote from the renowned Southwestern jewelry artist - Buddy Lee Mossman. In sterling silver. With a hand chased foot supporting a cross-...
Sterling Silver
Jocelyn Burton Sterling Silver Sea Shell Encrusted Tazza or Compote
By Jocelyn Burton 1
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible sterling silver tazza by Jocelyn Burton. With a seashell and sea-life encrusted trumpet form base supporting a curved dish top and secure...
Sterling Silver
$5,950
H 20.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
Pair of Elkington & Co Neoclassical Revival Silver Plated Five-Light Candelabra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare pair of Victorian Neoclassical Revival silver plated candelabra by Elkington & Co. Each candelabrum has a fluted column that rests on three paw feet that also support anthemi...
Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co Social Security Money Clip Sterling Silver Estate
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Tiffany & Co Social Security Money Clip Sterling Silver Estate TIF891 A sleek and elegant piece, ideal for daily use or as a thoughtful gift. TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 200...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Men's Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Sterling Silver money clip. Dimensions: 2.32 in. L x 0.85 in. W x 0.36 in. D - 59 mm. L x 22 mm. W x 10 mm. D Alex...
Sterling Silver
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Men's Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Sterling Silver money clip. Dimensions: 2.22 in. L x 0.90 in. W x 0.32 in. D - 56 mm. L x 22 mm. W x 8 mm. D. Alex Jona gifts stand o...
Sterling Silver
Imperial Russian 84 Silver Zolotnik Cordial Cups - set of 2#22631
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Imperial Russian 84 Silver Zolotnik Cordial Cups - set of 2 These beautiful set of two imperial Russian .817 silver cordial cups are hand engraved with etched geometric motifs hall...
Silver
$423 / item
Alex Jona Sterling Silver Men's Money Clip
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, rhodium plated Sterling Silver money clip. Alex Jona gifts stand out, not only for their special design and for the excellent qua...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Cross Pencil Original Box, Refillable Lead, Pinstriped Design
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage silver Cross pencil with a classic pinstriped design. It features a refillable lead and is presented in the original cross box. The pencil weighs 7 grams, is stampe...
Sterling Silver
Midnight Blue Sterling Silver Vessel with Peridot by Designer Astral Vessel's
By Astral Vessels
Located in Boulder, CO
This perfectly tailored deep blue Vessel features a cap that we carved with a harlequin pattern using our antique Rose Engine. The top of the cap is inse...
Peridot, Silver, Titanium
$55,250Sale Price|35% Off
Exceptional Nautical Themed Silver Centerpiece by Buccellati
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Nautical Themed Silver Centerpiece by Buccellati A silver masterpiece depicting: putto, leaves, Neptune holding a trident, shell, and dolphins by master silversmiths Buc...
Silver
1915 Sterling Silver 3"X 2.25"X 1/2" Antique English Snuff & Pill Box
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Antique English Snuff & Pill Box All original with very minor dents or scratches, weighting 31.9 grams Vintage English Snuff or Pill Box, in excellent condition considering 100 y...
Sterling Silver
$9,417
H 10.44 in W 11.62 in L 21.93 in
Big and Heavy Sterling Silver Fruit, Flower Bowl, Basket, Hazorfim, Judaica
Located in Berlin, DE
Big and very heavy sterling silver fruit bowl, basket. Hazorfim. Beautiful decoration object.
Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,700Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 5.5 in W 4.5 in
4 Norwegian MCM Modernist Enamel Sterling Silver Candlesticks N.M.Thune Viking
By N.M. Thune
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare museum quality set of Four Norwegian Mid-Century Modernist Enameled Sterling Silver Candlesticks by N.M. Thune of Norway and dating to the 20th century. Each candlestick is adorned with magnificent enamel images with depictions of Norse Mythology and Viking imagery. The colors and design are mid-century magnificence. The very rare group of candlesticks...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Three Light Sterling Silver Candelabra
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Mid Century Modern candelabra or candle holders. In sterling silver. Each with 3 candle cups connected by two sterling silver rounded rods. Perfect for the modern...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Cartier Prelude Silver Weighted Candlestick
Located in Addison, TX
Set of Vintage Cartier Prelude Sterling Silver Candlestick is stamped "STERLING Prelude weighted reinforced N213 Cartier". The weight is 897 gr...
Silver
Sold
H 5 in D 4.25 in L 6.5 in
Set of Anton Michelsen Danish Modern Sterling Silver Diminutive Candelabra
Located in Addison, TX
Set of Anton Michelsen Danish Modern Sterling Silver Diminutive Candelabra is stamped "A. Michelsen Copenhagen and sterling Denmark". The weight is 12.9 Troy ozs.
Silver