Modernist 18k
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1960s Swiss Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Drop Earrings
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s American Pendant Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Italian Retro Cocktail Rings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Charm Bracelets
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Drop Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Stud Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Brooches
Jade, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Stud Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Modernist More Rings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s American Modernist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Dome Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Modernist More Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s French Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Modernist Band Rings
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Engagement Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
20th Century Modernist Fashion Rings
Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Modernist Link Necklaces
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Dangle Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Modernist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century British Modernist Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Modernist Link Bracelets
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Modernist Retro Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Swiss Modernist Drop Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modernist Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Choker Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Modernist Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s Italian Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Black Jade, Jasper, Jade, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Swiss Bangles
Coral, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s Spanish Modernist Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold
Vintage 1970s Spanish Modernist Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Swedish Modernist Pendant Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s German Modernist Link Bracelets
Quartz, Tiger s Eye, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s Unknown Modernist Choker Necklaces
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Modernist Choker Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Link Bracelets
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modernist Clip-on Earrings
Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Modernist Cocktail Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Modernist Brooches
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Modernist Solitaire Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modernist Fashion Rings
Agate, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modernist Drop Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Modernist Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
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Modernist 18k For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Modernist 18k?
Why Gold Shines in Jewelry Craftsmanship
Gold is the feel-good metal, the serotonin of jewelry. Wear vintage and antique gold necklaces, watches, gold bracelets or gold rings and you feel happy, you feel dressed, you feel, well, yourself.
Gold, especially yellow gold, with its rich patina and ancient pedigree going back thousands of years, is the steady standby, the well-mannered metal of choice. Any discussion of this lustrous metal comes down to a basic truth: Gold is elementary, my dear. Gold jewelry that couples the mystique of the metal with superb design and craftsmanship achieves the status of an enduring classic. Many luxury houses have given us some of our most treasured and lasting examples of gold jewelry over the years.
Since its founding, in 1837, Tiffany Co. has built its reputation on its company jewelry as well as its coterie of boutique designers, which has included Jean Schlumberger, Donald Claflin, Angela Cummings and Elsa Peretti. There are numerous gold Tiffany classics worth citing. Some are accented with gemstones, but all stand out for their design and the workmanship displayed.
For the woman who prefers a minimalist look, the Tiffany Co. twist bangle (thin, slightly ovoid) is stylishly simple. For Cummings devotees, signature pieces feature hard stone inlay, such as her pairs of gold ear clips inlaid with black jade (a play on the classic Chanel black and tan), or bangles whose design recalls ocean waves, with undulating lines of lapis lazuli and mother-of-pearl. And just about any design by the great Jean Schlumberger is by definition a classic.
Even had he eschewed stones and diamonds, Southern-born David Webb would be hailed for the vast arsenal of heavy gold jewelry he designed. Gold, usually hammered or textured in some manner, defines great David Webb jewelry. The self-taught jeweler made very au courant pieces while drawing inspiration from ancient and out-of-the-way sources — East meets West in the commanding gold necklaces made by Webb in the early 1970s. The same could be said for his endlessly varied gold cuffs.
In Europe, many houses have given us gold jewelry that sets the highest standard for excellence, pieces that were highly sought after when they were made and continue to be so.
Numerous designs from Cartier are homages to gold. There are the classic Trinity rings, necklaces and bracelets — trifectas of yellow, white and rose gold. As a testament to the power of love, consider the endurance of the Cartier Love bracelet.
Aldo Cipullo, Cartier’s top in-house designer from the late 1960s into the early ’70s, made history in 1969 with the Love bracelet. Cipullo frequently said that the Love bracelet was born of a sleepless night contemplating a love affair gone wrong and his realization that “the only remnants he possessed of the romance were memories.” He distilled the urge to keep a loved one close into a slim 18-karat gold bangle.
BVLGARI and its coin jewelry, gemme nummarie, hit the jackpot when the line launched in the 1960s. The line has been perennially popular. BVLGARI coin jewelry features ancient Greek and Roman coins embedded in striking gold mounts, usually hung on thick link necklaces of varying lengths. In the 1970s, BVLGARI introduced the Tubogas line, most often made in yellow gold. The Tubogas watches are classics, and then there is the Serpenti, the house's outstanding snake-themed watches and bracelets.
A collection called Monete that incorporated the gold coins is one of several iconic BVLGARI lines that debuted in the 1970s and ’80s, catering to a new generation of empowered women. Just as designers like Halston and Yves Saint Laurent were popularizing fuss-free ready-to-wear fashion for women on the go, BVLGARI offered jewels to be lived in.
Since Van Cleef Arpels opened its Place Vendôme doors in 1906, collection after collection of jewelry classics have enchanted the public. As predominantly expressed in a honeycomb of gold, there is the Ludo watch and accessories, circa the 1920s, and the golden Zip necklace, 1951, whose ingenious transformation of the traditional zipper was originally proposed by the Duchess of Windsor. Van Cleef's Alhambra, with its Moroccan motif, was introduced in 1968 and from the start its popularity pivoted on royalty and celebrity status. It remains one of VCA’s most popular and collected styles.
Mention must be made of Buccellati, whose name is synonymous with gold so finely spun that it suggests tapestry. The house’s many gold bracelets, typically embellished with a few or many diamonds, signified taste and distinction and are always in favor on the secondary market. Other important mid-20th-century houses known for their gold-themed jewelry include Hermès and Ilias Lalaounis.
Find a stunning collection of vintage and antique gold jewelry on 1stDibs.