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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Diamond Half Eternity Ring, 0.5ct Princess-Cut in 18k White Gold, UK
Located in London, GB
A diamond half eternity ring, consisting of eleven princess-cut diamonds weighing 0.5 carats in total, all channel-set in white gold mount, hallmark...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Square-Cut Diamond Set Full Eternity Ring
Located in London, GB
A square-cut diamond set full eternity ring, the twenty four square-cut diamonds weighing an estimated total of 2.5 carats, assessed colour G-H, assessed clarity VS1-2, channel set t...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Rachel Koen Pave Diamond Ladies Wedding Ring 18K White Gold 0.73cttw
Located in New York, NY
Presenting a modern and elegant ladies wedding band. This sparkling 18k white gold ring is highlighted with 0.73cttw of dazzling white round cut pave set diamonds. Diamond clarity VS...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.25Cttw Princess & Baguette Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Set 14K White Gold
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful bridal ring set is a combination of an engagement ring and a matching wedding ring band. Simple and chic, this bridal set is a be...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Rachel Koen Pave Diamond Ladies Wedding Band 18K White Gold 0.38cttw
Located in New York, NY
Presenting a classic and simple design wedding band. This sparkling 18K white gold ring is highlighted with dazzling 0.38 carat white round diamonds. Diamond color G and VS clarity. ...
Diamond, White Gold
Rachel Koen Pave Diamond Ladies Ring 18K White Gold 1.40cttw
Located in New York, NY
A symbol of eternal love, the humble wedding ring has been about for years, older than any of us and still as important as ever. While the design of weddings rings is becoming more m...
0.50 Carat Round Diamond Channel Set Half Eternity Band Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in London, GB
This Channel set 18ct White Gold half Eternity ring is an exquisite addition to our collection. A sparkling array of seven H-SI1 Round Brilliant Diamonds for a classic and iconic loo...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Go...
1.00 Carat Round Diamond Channel Set Half Eternity Band Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in London, GB
This Channel set 18ct White Gold half Eternity ring is an exquisite addition to our collection. A sparkling array of seven H-SI1 Round Brilliant Diamond for a classic and iconic look...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
1.50 Carat Round Diamond Channel Set Half Eternity Band Ring 18 Karat White Gold
Located in London, GB
This channel set 18 karat White Gold half Eternity ring is an exquisite addition to our collection. A sparkling array of seven H-SI1 Round Brilliant Diamonds for a classic and iconic...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Go...
0.15 Carat Band Ring Round Diamond Channel Set Half Eternity 18 Karat Rose Gold
By Tresor Paris
Located in London, GB
This channel set 18 Karat Rose Gold half Eternity ring is an exquisite addition to our collection. A sparkling array of nine H-SI1 Round Brilliant Diamonds for a classic and iconic l...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
0.25 Carat Round Diamond Channel Set Half Eternity Band Ring 18 Karat Rose Gold
Located in London, GB
This Channel Set 18 Karat Rose Gold half Eternity ring is an exquisite addition to our collection. A sparkling array of nine H-SI1 Round Brilliant Diamonds for a classic and iconic l...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2.00 carat Round Diamond Channel Set 18 Karat Rose Gold Eternity Engagement Ring
Located in London, GB
This channel set 18k rose gold half eternity ring is an exquisite addition to our collection. A sparkling array of nine H-SI1 diamonds are round cut for a classic and iconic eternity...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
0.55 Carat 18 Karat French Pave Set Diamond Eternity Ring
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This beautiful Eternity Ring maximizes brilliance of the diamonds by setting them in French Pave style. The ring is in 18K White gild with total of 0.55 Ct Natural Round Brilliant d...
Diamond, 18k Gold