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.
Mid-Century Modern Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cocktail Jigger or Measure
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver cocktail jigger. By Tiffany & Co. With a gold wash and stepped, conical sides. Model no. 22714 Simply a great Tiffany cocktail jigger! Date: Mid-20th Cen...
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
19th Century Sterling Silver Flower Victorian Flask
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Victorian flask with overlaid sterling flower motif. PERIOD: Last quarter 19th Century ORIGIN: United States SIZE: 4 1/2"H x 2 1/2"W Barware, Flasks, Silver, Glass, Vintage, Antiqu...
Sterling Silver
Whiting Sterling Co. 19th Century Flask
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hip Flask #18399
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Hip Flask This beautiful sterling silver flask was crafted from sterling silver by designer Tiffany & Co and is monogrammed "TCC" Approximate measurem...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Tiffany & Co. Flask
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Tiffany & Co. sterling silver flask. Engraved with a portrait of a young woman in fashionable dress resting among foliate sprays. New York, Circa 1891 - 1902. 5 3/4" high x 3 3/4" wi...
Sterling Silver
Chrysanthemum by Tiffany Sterling Silver Claret Ladle Twist Handle
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful sterling silver claret ladle Chrysanthemum (circa 1880) Tiffany's luxurious Chrysanthemum silver was designed in 1880 by Charles Grosjean. Wit...
Sterling Silver
$1,356Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 5.12 in Dm 4.73 in
Whisky Glass, Solid Silver, Moon , 1 Piece, Italy
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
K-over whisky glass are our latest creation. The value of this whisky glass lies on the innovative techniques that have been used in its production. As it can be clearly seen from the pictures, the surface of the K-OVER shines as the Moon. This innovative texture provides also a technical advantage: when you touch the cover, no fingerprint is left. The glass has been completely handcrafted by Marco Fedi, a Florentine master goldsmith. The production process took few weeks and the techniques used are spinning and engraving. This glass is produced in pure silver 999...
Silver
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup #22632
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup This elegant Tiffany & Co. sterling silver cordial cup features a rounded modernist form and a gold washed interior Match...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup #22633
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup - This elegant Tiffany & Co. Sterling silver cordial cup features a a rounded modernist form and a gold washed interior Ma...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Pithcer
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 3.00 inches Height: 3.75 inches Weight: 130.75 grams Silver vintage pitcher. The metal was tested and determi...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$725 / set
Dm 1.38 in L 3.55 in
1887 Two Antique Russian 84 Sterling Silver Vodka Shots Beakers Jiggers /65grams
Located in SE
Handsome pair of random antique Russian Imperial period Sterling Silver shots / glass / silver beakers , jiggers or Stopkas / Стопка ! Volume ca. 10 milliliters each. In early XX cen...
Silver
Tiffany & Co. Vintage Matchbox Holder & Ashtray
Located in Sewickley, PA
This Tiffany & Co. sterling silver matchbox and ashtray set is a refined example of the brand's elegant decorative craftsmanship. The set includes a rectangular matchbox holder and a...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 925 Sterling Silver Padova Baby Cup
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 2.50 inches Height: 2.50 inches Weight: 96.12 grams Silver classic-style cup. The metal was tested and determ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Gorham Sterling Silver Cocktail "Stoplight Jigger" or Measure
12 Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Cocktail Tumblers or Mint Julep Cups
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 cocktail tumblers or cups with straight, clean Modern lines. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. Each marked to the base with Ti...
Sterling Silver
Asprey Snake Handle Sterling Silver Tastevin or Wine Taster
By Asprey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage Asprey sterling silver “tastevin” wine taster - a shallow cup traditionally used by winemakers to taste (and judge) wine. With a tradi...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 10.63 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
Suite of Four 1960s Asprey London Pinch Decanter Vases Sterling Silver Labels
By Asprey International Limited
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely set of four hand blown Asprey London pinch decanter vases with sterling silver collars and sterling silver drinks labels...
Sterling Silver