Modern Engagement Rings

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.

Style: Modern

Emerald engagement 14k gold ring

Modern Engagement Rings

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Emerald engagement 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Emerald 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Emerald 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Emerald and diamonds 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Art Deco Moissanite wedding 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Baguette moissanite 14k gold half eternity ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Lavender gems baguette 14k gold half eternity ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Ombre Blue Lab Amethyst and Moissanite 14k gold Eternity Band

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Full Eternity U Prong Set Wedding 14k gold Band

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Vintage oval Moissanite Double halo 14k Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Double Halo Cathedral Set moissanite 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

1 ct Round diamond moissanite 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Vintage three Round Moissanite Engagement 14k Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Vintage style 14k gold Snake Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Oval moissanite halo Engagement 14k Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Emerald Vintage style gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Baguette Row Wedding 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Vintage 1.5 ct Round Moissanite Engagement 14k Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Baguette Wedding 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Marquise Wedding 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Green jade 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Double Round Stone 14k gold Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Vintage Round Moissanite Engagement 14k Gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Oval Garnet 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings

Set in 18K Gold, Blue Sapphires, Black Enamel & tapered Diamonds Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Pear & Marquise Shape Moissanites Curved 14k gold Wedding Band

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Double Moissanite Unique 14k gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Marquise emerald ring in 14k gold

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Vintage style ring with emerald in 14k gold

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Moissanite Cuban Link 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Oval moissanite 14k gold semi eternity wedding band

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings

Set in 18K Gold, Invisible set Rubies, Yellow Diamond & Diamonds Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings

Set in 18K Gold, Zambian Emerald, Mozambique Ruby & Diamonds Engagement Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Engagement Rings

Set in 18K white Gold, 9.13 carats, Zambian Emerald & Diamonds Engagement Ring

2010s Dutch Modern Engagement Rings

Ring with brilliant cut diamonds up to 0.76ct 2.8 grams 18k yellow gold

2010s Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Emerald and Diamonds 14k gold Ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Amethyst gold ring.

1990s Modern Engagement Rings

GIA 3.18 carat old mine cut diamond platinum engagement ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings

Art Deco Baguette Chevron 14k gold ring

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Engagement Rings