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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.

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Period: 1920s
Style: Modern
Art Deco Platinum Diamond Panel Link Bracelet
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Very fine Art Deco diamond panel link bracelet, set with marquise-shaped, baguette-cut and circular-cut diamonds. Handmade in platinum. Diamonds weighi...
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Platinum

Antique Circa 1920s Masonic Two Headed Eagle Pendant 18 Carat Yellow Gold
Located in Hamilton, AU
The two headed eagle symbolises both power and justice, like the square and compasses symbol, it is synonymous with Scottish Rite Freemasonry. Crafted in 18 carat yellow and white g...
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel

Art Deco Gold Hinged Cuff Bracelet With S-Swirl Motif By Napier, 1920s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Antique item - Extremely rare, hard to find style - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the early 20th century - 1.5" width at widest point - 7" circumference, slightly adju...
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Vintage Open Back Crystal Necklace, circa 1920s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Open Back Crystal Necklace Circa 1920s. Most people don't understand the beauty of these until they try them on. When worn against the skin ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Mixed Metal

Vintage Open Back Dangling Crystal Clip, circa 1940s
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Open Back Dangling Crystal Clip Circa 1940s. This gorgeous piece has clear open back crystals that surround a large oval Emerald Crystal in ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Mixed Metal

Gabriel Argy-Rousseau, France, Necklace in Art Glass
Located in bronshoj, DK
GABRIEL ARGY-ROUSSEAU (1885-1963), France. Pomme de pin pendant / necklace in art glass. Pâte-de-verre technique. 1920s. Measures: 5.7 x 5.7 cm. In excellent condition. Signed. Orig...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Jewelry

Art Deco Diamond, Platinum and 18 Carat Gold Cluster Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This cluster holds bags of detail and sparkle. The cluster holds 9 diamond points and are set in platinum and the ring is modelled in 18carat gold. Ring Size: I or 4 1/4 Cluster D...
Category

1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, Gold, Platinum

Antique Faux Resin Mould Dog Cufflinks, circa 1920
Located in Baltimore, MD
Cute pair of antique painted resin molded floppy dog cufflinks.
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Gilt Metal

Gold, Emerald and Diamond Ring
Located in New York, NY
18 kt., One emerald-cut emerald ap. 1.40 ct., 6 round diamonds ap. .10 ct., ap. 6.2 dwts. Size 7 Emerald: medium-deep green color saturation, well-cut. Diamonds: VS-SI/J-K-L SKU#R...
Category

1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Emerald, 18k Gold

Aquamarine White Gold
Located in Berkeley, CA
This lovely aquamarine ring is beautifully set in a engraved setting of 14k white gold. The dreamy blue aquamarine is beautifully cut to cast a dazzle in every direction. This stunne...
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Aquamarine, 14k Gold, White Gold

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Vintage Christian Dior Crystal Torque Necklace 1970s
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Vintage German Glass Beads, Art 2211 Necklace
Located in Monrovia, CA
This is for a necklace. The pendant consist of 2 mini burgundy circle shaped beads with black teardrop shaped beads finished with a 16 inch 14K gold filled chain. The beads are new...
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Vintage German Glass Beads, Art 2204 Necklace
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This pendant consist of transparent emerald color diamond and yellow rectangular shaped beads and finished with a 16 inch gold filled chain. The beads are new old stock vintage Ger...
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1920s Art Nouveau Garnet and Yellow Gold Coin Pendant
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An impressive antique Art Nouveau 0.06 carat garnet and 18k yellow gold coin pendant; part of diverse antique jewelry and estate jewelry collections. This fine and impressive antique coin pendant...
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1920s Unknown Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Art Deco Aquamarine Diamond Platinum Filigree Link Bracelet
Located in Thiensville, WI
c.1920's Art Deco Aquamarine gemstone, diamond, and platinum link bracelet. The center section of bracelet (former watch case), measures approximately 18 mm length x 15 mm width, hol...
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1920s Vintage Modern Jewelry

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French Locket Art Nouveau Silver Daisy Flower Pendant Necklace
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A GORGEOUS FRENCH ART NOUVEAU LOCKET PENDANT IN SILVER WITH A BEAUTIFUL REPOUSSE DESIGN OF A FLOWER, LEAF AND BUD MOTIF. This is just a stunning silver flower motif...
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Early 20th Century French Modern Jewelry

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Vintage German Glass Beads, Art 2206 Necklace
Located in Monrovia, CA
The pendant consist of blue heart and pink elongated pentagon shaped beads and finished with a 16 inch gold filled chain. The beads are new old stock vintage German glass beads that...
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Edwardian Amethyst and Gold Necklace, circa 1920
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Beautiful amethyst necklace from the 1920s comprising a line of twenty-four faceted, light violet amethyst beads grouped in clusters of three, alternating with oblong gold filigree l...
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1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Amethyst, 14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Rose Green Gold Gate Art Deco Link Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage 1930's Art Deco gate bracelet, 14k Rose and green gold. All handmade. Secure catch and safety chain. 8 inches in length. 14k rose and green gol...
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Early 20th Century Unknown Modern Jewelry

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Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold

Vintage German Glass Beads, Art 2208 Necklace
Located in Monrovia, CA
The pendant consist of 1 mini blue circle and 1 mini oblong shaped transparent beads and finished with a 16 inch gold filled chain. The beads are new old stock vintage German glas...
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21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

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Vintage Aurora Borealis Chunky Faceted Crystal Choker Necklace, 1950s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - Measures 17" total length, can be adjusted down to 14" using hook clasp and extender chain - Aurora Borealis iridescent crystals - Silver tone hardware - Circa 1...
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1950s Unknown Vintage Modern Jewelry

Art Deco Enamel Diamond Platinum Link Bracelet
Located in Berlin, DE
Europe, circa 1930. Art Deco set with 128 single-cut diamonds weighing circa 2.24 ct. With red and black enamel. Mounted in platinum. Total weight: 11,56 grams. Length: 7.09 in ( 18 ...
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Previously Available Items
George V 9ct Rose Gold Double Albert Watch Chain, 52.3 grams
Located in Glasgow, GB
A George V 9ct rose gold graduating curb link albert watch chain, and T-bar. Assay: - .375 (9 carat gold). Date: - 1924. Engraving: - None. Measurement: - 15 & 11/16 inches (39.9cm) from end to end. The links measures 8.0mm (at widest point). Weight: - 52.3 grams. Condition: - The 9ct albert...
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1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Gold, 9k Gold, Rose Gold

Tiffany & Co. Platinum Art Deco Ladies Diamond Dress Watch, 1920s
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tiffany & Co. STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Dress Style METAL / MATERIAL: Platinum and Diamonds CIRCA / YEAR: 1920's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 30mm Length X 22mm Width MO...
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1920s Swiss Vintage Modern Jewelry

14k Yellow Gold Diamond Snake Tail Ring
Located in New York, NY
This stunning 14k yellow gold ring is a true expression of elegance and sophistication. Weighing just 2.97 grams, this ring features a total carat weight of 0.31 TCW round diamonds a...
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1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Art Deco Cherry Red Molded Czech Glass Choker Necklace, 1920s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Antique item - Collectible costume jewelry piece from the early 20th century - 16" length - Red molded Czech glass - Silver tone push clasp - Marked Czechoslovakia on clasp -...
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1920s Czech Vintage Modern Jewelry

9ct Yellow Gold Albert Watch Chain, circa 1920s, 31.0g
Located in Glasgow, GB
A George V 9ct yellow gold curb link albert watch chain, and sliding T-bar. Assay: - .375 (9 carat gold). Period: - Early 20th century. Date: - Circa 1920. Engraving: - None. M...
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1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Yellow Gold, Gold, 9k Gold

Elgin Pocket Watch Silverode Railroad Heavy Working 7 Jewel Year 1921
Located in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Elgin 1921 railroad pocket watch with a 59mm case made of silverode and is 20mm thick. Heavy watch with a clean plastic crystal. The case has a minor blemish and a light hand carving that could be polished. The movement is 7 jewel...
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1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Silver

Art Deco 18ct Yellow Gold Chalcedony Cufflinks
Located in Glasgow, GB
A pair of 18 carat yellow gold chalcedony cufflinks. Each link is set with an oval dome shaped chalcedony, with linked bar backs. The cuffli...
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1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Chalcedony, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

18ct Gold Trombone Link Albert Watch Chain, Circa 1920
Located in Glasgow, GB
An antique 18ct yellow gold trombone link albert watch chain, and T-bar. Date: - Circa 1920s. Measurement: - 15 5/16 inches (38.9 cm) from dog-clip to ...
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1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

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18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco 9 Carat Gold Signet Ring
Located in Chipping Campden, GB
This sweet signet is modelled in 9ct gold and has a smooth face with detailed shoulders. Ring Size: T or 9 1/2 Face Dimensions: 14.5x11.5mm Weight: 3.4g
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1920s British Vintage Modern Jewelry

Materials

Gold

Gold Filled Art Deco Watch with Leather Strap by Illinois, 1920s
Located in McKinney, TX
- Vintage item - 9" total length - Gold filled - Cognac brown leather strap - Mechanical movement - By Illinois - Circa 1920s - Estate acquired - Good vintage condition with ...
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1920s American Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Gold-filled

18 Carat Yellow Gold Old European Cut Diamond Antique Cluster Engagement Ring
Located in Hamilton, AU
Forged in 18 carat yellow gold is this charming antique cluster engagement ring embellished with nine charming old European cut diamond...
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1920s Unknown Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Art Deco Old European Cut Diamond Brooch Pin
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Art Deco brooch pin crafted in Platinum and 18 karat yellow gold, showcasing 21 Old European Cut diamonds weighing approximately 6 carats total, G-I color, VS-SI clarity. An...
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1920s Unknown Vintage Modern Jewelry

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Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum

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