Modern Jewelry

MODERN STYLE

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.

Creator: Tiffany & Co.

Style: Modern

Tiffany & Co .46 Carat GIA Certified H VS2 Round Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

Modern Jewelry

2010s North American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co .46 Carat GIA Certified H VS2 Round Natural Diamond Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Heart Shaped Perfume Flask & Funnel w Original Box

2010s Unknown Modern Jewelry

Authentic Tiffany & Co Silver Trio Bangles with Tilted Heart Charm, Retired Item

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co Hourglass Charm Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Timer Rock Crystal Pendant

Early 2000s Modern Jewelry

tiffany & co streamerica diamond ring

2010s Unknown Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Soleste Tourmaline & Diamond Dangle Earrings

2010s North American Modern Jewelry

Modern Tiffany & Co Natural .17 Carat Diamond Halfway Platinum Engagement Band

2010s American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. 1837 Diamond Band Ring in 18 Karat Yellow Gold

2010s American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. 3.33 Carat Platinum Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring

2010s American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Novo Platinum Cushion Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. 18K Gold Small Omega Clip Shrimp Earrings

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Three Stones Earrings Studs In Solid Platinum With 6 Round Diamond

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Jewelry

TIFFANY & CO Designer Elsa Peretti Signed Large Open Heart Gold Necklace

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

Vintage Tiffany & Co Feather Charm 18k Yellow Gold Spike Pendant Signed Jewelry

Late 20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Vintage Tiffany & Co Green Enamel Ring Sz 5 Band Estate Signed Jewelry

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

0.36 Carats Total Brilliant Round Shape Diamond Stud Earrings

Late 20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Company 18k Gold and Citrine " Fireworks" Brooch and Earrings Set

1880s American Antique Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co 22k Gold Coronet Head Quarter Eagle Coin Money Clip

2010s North American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Signed Platinum Mens Wedding Band Ring

1970s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Tiffany Gold Coil Earrings with Centre Diamond

20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Double Star Key Holder

20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. 18K Yellow Gold A Man Eating Noodles Brooch

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. T Narrow 18K Rose Gold 4.5 mm Wide .13 ct Diamond Band Ring Size 7

2010s Unknown Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co Soleste with Pear Shape Tanzanite Ring

1970s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Vintage Tiffany and Co. Sterling Silver and Mabe Pearl Lever Back Earrings

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Platinum Victoria Diamond Vine Key Circle Pendant Medium

Mid-20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Set of 4 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cream Soup Spoons in the Provence Pattern

2010s American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Victoria Diamond Vine Earrings in Platinum Size Small 0.64 Ct.

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

Vintage Tiffany & Co Bracelet 51.1gm 18k Yellow Gold Triangle Fancy Link Jewelry

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Jewelry

Return to Tiffany Sterling Silver Heart Tag Pendant & Dog Tag Chain Necklace

Mid-20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany 14k Yellow Gold Knot Cuff Links with Stud Buttons by a Different Maker

20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Platinum 7.20cttw Diamond Double Clip Brooch

20th Century French Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. Platinum Diamond And Pearl Collar Bib Necklace

2010s American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co Schlumberger Lynn 3 Carat 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co Heart Diamond Charm Ring Estate Platinum Tag Sz 5.75 Jewelry

Late 20th Century American Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co. 18 Karat Yellow Gold Signature X Bracelet

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

70s Tiffany & Co Sugarloaf Lapis Lazuli Ring 18k Yellow Gold Sz 5 Square Ridged

Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

Tiffany & Co Collar Disc Necklace Sterling Silver Wire Pre Owned Jewelry

2010s Modern Jewelry

Certified Vintage Tiffany & Co. 'Tiffany True' Yellow Cushion Cut Diamond Ring

1960s American Vintage Modern Jewelry