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: Roshe Jewels

Style: Modern

1.30 Carat Double Halo Emerald, Pink Sapphire and Diamond Rose Gold Bridal Ring

Modern Jewelry

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.30 Carat Double Halo Emerald, Pink Sapphire and Diamond Rose Gold Bridal Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

2.84 Carat Diamond and Multi Color Sapphire Stackable Gold Band Set

Early 2000s American Modern Jewelry

0.29 Carat Baguette Bar Chain Necklace 14 Karat Yellow Gold

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

3.34 Carat Pink Morganite Aquamarine Diamond Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.10 Carat Tanzanite Diamond 14 Karat White Gold Promise Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Jewelry

Fashion Multi Color Statement Earrings

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

GIA Certified 1.77 Carat Pink Sapphire Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.53 Carat Natural Unheated Pink Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.82 Carat Multi-Color Sapphire Stackable Gold Band Set

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

GIA Certified 2.10 Carat Unheated Yellow Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.36 Carat Natural Sapphire and Diamond Yellow Gold Band

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

3.62 Carat Cushion Cut Apatite Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Peridot Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Kunzite Halo Diamond White Gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

5.98 Carat Amethyst Multi Color Sapphires Yellow Gold Cluster Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.38 Carat Colombian Emerald Double Halo Diamond Yellow Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.28 Carat Sapphire Diamond Bracelet 14 Karat Tri Color Gold

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.14 Carat Red and Yellow Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Stackable Bands

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.52 Carat Sapphire Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

5.29 Carat Emerald Cut Citrine Sapphire Rose Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.42 Carat Blue Pink Sapphire Yellow Gold Evil Eye Chain Pendant

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Sapphire Citrine Diamond Rose Gold Cocktail Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

0.70 Carat Two-Stone Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Bridal Ring

2010s American Modern Jewelry

1.68 Carat Cushion Cut Pink Sapphire Diamond 14 Karat Rose Gold Bridal Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Multi Color Sapphire Diamond Gold Stackable Bands

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

4.24 Carat Fire Opal Diamond Cocktail 14 Karat White Gold Ring

2010s American Modern Jewelry

1.00 Carat Emerald Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Band

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

3.28 Carat Morganite Diamond Double Halo 14 Karat Rose Gold Ring

2010s American Modern Jewelry

0.40 Carat Diamond Bow Band 14 Karat White Gold

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

25.00 Carat Black Diamond Briolette Bead Necklace in 18 Karat White Gold

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

0.40 Carat Men's Diamond Band 14 Karat Yellow Gold

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

5.26 Carat Oval Cut Turquoise Diamond White Gold Fashion Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

3.73 Carat Peridot Diamond 14 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

Morganite Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

2.63 Carat Tourmaline Diamond 18 Karat White Gold Bridal Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

12.74 Carat Kunzite Diamond Cocktail 14 Karat White Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry

1.09 Carat Natural Fancy Champagne Diamond Cocktail Ring in 18K Yellow Gold

2010s American Modern Jewelry

4.48 Carat Chrome Diopside White Topaz Silver Earrings

2010s American Modern Jewelry

Pink Morganite Diamond Rose Gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Jewelry