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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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Creator: Emilio!
Style: Modern
Emilio Jewelry Gia Certified 15.00 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
From Emilio Jewelry a well known dealer and jewelry manufacturer located on New York's iconic Fifth Avenue. This bracelet has been custom and hand made in 18k white gold. Each and ev...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Emilio Jewelry 24.79 Carat Diamond Necklace
Located in New York, NY
From the vault at Emilio Jewelry, located on New York's iconic Fifth Avenue, Hand made in the Emilio Atelier a stunning necklace set in 3 prongs Natural...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold

Emilio Jewelry 3.12 Carat Emerald Diamond Earrings
Located in New York, NY
For your piece of mind, we hand make all of our jewelry right here in our own factory located adjacent to Rockefeller center. Our showroom is located at The World Diamond Tower directly on New York...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold

Emilio Jewelry Art Deco Style Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Approx total weight: 1.32cts Diamond Color: E-F Diamond Clarity: Vs Cut: Excellent As noted we are vetted and rated a Top Seller on 1stdibs falling into the top 25% of dealers listed...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond

Emilio Jewelry 25.21 Carat Oval Cabochon Emeralds Diamonds Gold Earrings
Located in New York, NY
Wow! We handmade these one-of-a-kind emerald diamond earring with micro pave diamonds and pear shapes. Please inquire for certificates. The origin of the emeralds are Zambian however if you require Colombian we also have a large inventory. 18kt white gold set with two oval cabochon emerald...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Platinum

Set of Four Stackable Diamond Rings
Located in New York, NY
The Price listed is for all 4 diamond rings! Approx. 0.84 carats total weight diamonds, we can alter this ring to any size. These rings are in a size 8...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold

Emilio Jewelry 3.00 Carat Micro Pave Diamond Gold Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Approx. 3.00 carats total weight diamonds.The finest conflict free diamonds set in our unique endless diamond bracelet. Standard length is 6.75” however we can alter this bracelet to...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

18 Karat Yellow Gold Diamond Swan Brooch with a South Sea Pearl Belly
Located in New York, NY
Unique one of a kind brooch! A gorgeous enormous south sea pearl sits as the belly of this lovely Swan. Diamonds rubies emeralds and sapphires complete the design. Diamond Color: E-...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold

15.00 Carat Five-Row Graduating Endless Diamond Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This bracelet features our one of a kind endless push lock mechanism with Graduating diamonds up to .25ct each! The whole bracelet is encrusted with natural diamonds including the l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold

Emilio Jewelry 110.00 Carat Diamond Red Carpet Earrings
Located in New York, NY
These earrings are very unique and 6.75 Inches long! The diamonds droop all the way down past your shoulder to create a sense of awe. We made the most unique diamond earrings for the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Jewelry

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum

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