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.
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.3 Carat Diamonds in 14k Yellow Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.3 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 55 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.3 Carat Diamonds in 14k Rose Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.3 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 55 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.3 Carat Diamonds in 18k White Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.3 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 55 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.3 Carat Diamonds in 14k White Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.3 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 55 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.4 Carat Diamonds in 18k Yellow Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.4 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 63 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.4 Carat Diamonds in 14k Yellow Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.4 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 63 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.4 Carat Diamonds in 14k White Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.4 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 63 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Moonlight Cluster Necklace: 1.2 Carat Diamonds in 14k White Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Carat Weight: A total of 1.2 carats of dazzling diamonds grace this necklace, promising to mesmerize. Diamonds: Meticulously arranged, the necklace features 73 exquisite diamonds, e...
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
1 ctw Diamond Moonlight Cushion Cluster Necklace in 14K White Gold
By ZIORO
Located in Paramus, NJ
Elevate your style with this exquisite Diamond Moonlight Cushion Cluster Necklace crafted in 14K white gold. The pendant features a stunning 10mm diameter, making it a dainty yet imp...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Rachel Koen 9 Fresh Water Pearls Ladies Chain Necklace 14K Yellow Gold
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful and delicate this pearl chain necklace will leave everyone speechless the moment they see it. Crafted in high polished solid 14K yellow gold this necklace is set with 9 rou...
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.00 Carat Round White Diamond Claw Set Cluster 18 Carat Gold Chain Pendant
Located in London, GB
A gorgeous 1.00ct claw set round pendant, inlaid with various size diamonds this pendant has a unique studded finish that really captures the light. Set in 18ct White Gold which enha...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
0.33 Carat Button Cluster 18 Karat White Gold Round Diamond Chain Pendant
Located in London, GB
This delicate 7mm round brilliant Diamond button shaped pendant glistens with the Diamonds highlighted by the 18 Karat White Gold setting. H-SI white diamonds in a round cluster with...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
0.25 Carat Button Cluster 18 Karat White Gold Round White Diamond Chain Pendant
Located in London, GB
The height of sophistication. This delicate 6mm Round Brilliant Diamond button shaped pendant glistens with the diamonds highlighted by the 18 Karat White Gold setting. H-SI white di...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold