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.
Rare Set of 9 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Vine Pattern Butter Pats
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extremely rare set of sterling silver butter pats. In the Vine pattern decorated with raised poppies and other flowers around the rim's edge. By Tiffany & Co. Monogrammed to t...
Sterling Silver
Boxed Set of 6 Garrard & Co Sterling Silver & Mother-of-Pearl Caviar Knives
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine boxed set of caviar knives. By Garrard & Co. The blades in sterling silver and the handles made of lustrous Mother-of-Pearl. Founded in 1722, Garrard was made the first ever Crown Jewelers for the English throne and held that distinction from 1843 - 2007. Garrard has also made jewelry for royalty and various world cup trophies...
Sterling Silver
Boxed Set of 6 Garrard & Co. Sterling Silver Small Wine or Cordial Goblets
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 small wine or cordial cups or goblets By Garrard & Co. Limited of London, England. In sterling silver. Founded in 1722, Garrard was made the first ever Crown Jewelers for the English throne and held that distinction from 1843 - 2007. Garrard has also made jewelry for royalty and various world cup trophies...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Danish Modern Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Salt and Pepper Shakers # 627
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare pair of Georg Jensen sterling silver salt and pepper shakers. Model No. 627. Designed by Ove Brobeck. A rare and fine pair! Date: 20th century Overall Condition: They a...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Bird-Form Salt Cellar, Hanau, Germany, 20th Century
Located in Lisboa, PT
Figural Sterling Silver Bird-Form Salt Cellar Hanau, Germany Late 19th-20th century Charming figural salt cellar crafted in silver, formed as a stylized bird standing on finely deta...
Sterling Silver
Midcentury English Engine Turned Sterling Silver Napkin Ring by John Rose
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Mid-Century English napkin ring. In sterling silver. By John Rose of Birmingham. With engine-turned decoration around the circumference and an unengraved rectangular cartou...
Sterling Silver
Pair Midcentury English Engine Turned Sterling Silver Napkin Rings by John Rose
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Mid-Century English napkin rings. In sterling silver. By John Rose of Birmingham. With engine-turned decoration around the circumference and an unengraved rectangul...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Audubon Sterling Silver Iced Tea Spoon 7 3/8" #23102
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co Audubon Sterling Silver Iced Tea Spoon Designed by Edward C. Moore in 1871, the Audubon pattern was inspired by Japanese bird paintings of the 19th century. This iced t...
Sterling Silver
$205
H 0.09 in W 1.5 in L 1.64 in
Imperial Russian 84 Zolotnik Sterling Silver Cordial Cups - set of 2 #22631
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Imperial Russian 84 Zolotnik Sterling Silver Cordial Cups - set of 2 - These beautiful set of two imperial Russian sterling silver cordial cups are hand engraved with etched geometr...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Mid-Century Iced Tea Highball Spoon Straws
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Elevate your barware with this stunning set of four vintage sterling silver iced tea or highball drink stirrer straws from Tiffany & Co. Each spoon is 8.5" long and the concave mint...
Sterling Silver
Pair of Heavy Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
Located in New York, NY
These pair of heavy sterling Silver salt & Pepper shakers features a screw-top. Makers' mark is etched in the center of the base. The height measures 2 1/8 inches, circumferen...
Brandimarte 925 sterling silver frying pan for cooking
Located in Perugia, IT
925/ooo sterling silver frying pan for cooking Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Weight g 1470 30 cm diameter Height 5,5 cm Length including handle 60 cm This frying p...
Sterling Silver
Set of Four Victorian Silver Salt Cellars
Located in London, GB
A set of four Victorian silver salt cellars, each designed as scallop shell bearing chased leaf decorations in the rim, with gold gilt interior and foliate design base, made by Danie...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Allan Adler Salad Servers
By Allan Adler
Located in Darnestown, MD
Modernist set of salad servers by Allan Adler in sterling and ebony. Streamlined and elegant. Spoon is 13" in length; fork is 12 7/8". Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
Set of Four Cartier 'Trinity' Sterling Silver Champagne Flutes
By Cartier
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This set of four sterling silver champagne flutes were made for retail by Cartier during the second half of the 20th century. The set which are crafted from solid sterling silver fea...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
$325
W 1.5 in L 6.88 in
Tiffany & Co Chrysanthemum Sterling Silver Shell Bowl Spoon 6 7/8" w/Mono 22622
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver spoon with shell bowl in the Chrysanthemum pattern by Tiffany & Co with monogram. Monogram appears to be SB The Chrysanthemum pattern, designed by Charles T. Grosje...
Sterling Silver
Antique Stieff Sterling Silver Repousse Salt Shaker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver salt shaker. In sterling silver. By Stieff. With repousse flower decoration throughout and 3 small feet. Simply a...
Sterling Silver
$592Sale Price / set|20% Off
W 0.75 in L 7 in
Set of Mother-of-Pearl Handled Knives (Fruit & Butter), Sterling Silver Accents
Located in New York, NY
A Charming Addition to Your Tableware Collection Elevate your dining presentation with this two-part set of knives, each featuring lustrous mother-of-pearl handles and sterling silv...
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
$320Sale Price|20% Off
L 4.5 in
Marina J. Mothers Day Gift, Vintage Silver Plated Spoon Set with Baroque Pearls
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
One of A Kind Marina J. Vintage Silver Plated Spoon set of 6, reworked to have gorgeous Baroque Pearl tip details. The cultured Baroque Pearls Di...
Pearl, Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co. Victorinox Swiss Army Pocket Knife 925 750
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Tiffany & Co. Victorinox Swiss Army Pocket Knife 925 750 with original box and box
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Capstan Sterling Silver Salt and Pepper Shakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of silver salt and pepper shakers. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the Capstan pattern. The salt shaker is stamped Tiffany & Co. / Sterling / 925 / Made in Italy / and with Italian hallmarks. The pepper grinder is marked to the base with "Made in Italy" & "acciaio garantito" (guaranteed steel). Simply a wonderful pair of Tiffany salt and pepper shakers...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 1.38 in W 1.38 in D 1.38 in
Boxed Set of 24 Garrard & Co. Sterling Silver Grapes Place Card Holders
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine set of place card holders by Garrard & Co. In sterling silver. Each comprised of 2 grape leaves and a gilt bunch of grapes. Simply an exceptional set of place card h...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 0.87 in W 1.03 in L 3.15 in
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver 'Fish' Salt & Pepper Shakers by Frank Gehry
By Frank Gehry for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of Tiffany & Co. 'Fish' salt and pepper shakers. Designed by Frank Gehry. In sterling silver with curved bodies and openings to the tops. Simply amazing design! Date...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Armada Dish
By Asprey
Located in London, GB
A sterling silver Armada dish, 13.5" diameter, 47.7troy ozs, hallmarked London 2000, with Asprey sponsor mark. Should you choose to make this purchase we ...
Sterling Silver
Wine Cover, Solid Pure Silver 999/°°, Sunlight, 2018, Italy, in Stock
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
The value of this pure silver 999/°° K-OVER is based on on the innovative techniques that have been used in its production. As it can be clearly seen f...
Silver
Wine cover, Solid pure silver, Wine window, 2018, Italy, in Stock
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
The value of this pure silver 999/°° K-OVER is based on the innovative techniques that have been used in its production. As it can be clearly seen from the pictures, the surface of t...
Silver
Sold
W 0.88 in L 3.63 in
Baker & Ellis Boxed Set of 12 English Enameled Sterling Silver Demitasse Spoons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine complete boxed set of 12 botanical enameled silver demitasse spoons. The reverse of each enameled and decorated with various flower species. Ea...
Sterling Silver
Hector Aguilar Sterling and Rosewood Flatware Set
Located in Darnestown, MD
This stunning flatware set by Mexican designer, Hector Aguilar, is made of sterling silver and rosewood. The 28 pieces consist of: 4 dinner knives; 4 dinn...
Sterling Silver