St John Crystal Collar Necklace

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.

Vintage link necklaces are a popular style of jewelry that sees a flexible set of links, usually metal, fashioned into versatile neckwear. The design of link necklaces creates an engaging movement, rendering the jewelry a focal point of any outfit.

Chain necklaces date back to antiquity. These early chains frequently used the loop-in-loop technique. They evolved into symbols of prestige. Royalty in medieval Europe wore gold jewelry often adorned with beads and gemstones.

Over the centuries, artisans and jewelry makers developed different types of chain links. Chain-link necklaces with oval links or mariner links are currently fashionable, but styles have changed from one decade to the next. While some eras have favored large chains as statement pieces, others emphasized dainty jewelry, so vintage link necklaces offer a wide range of link types.

The link is an important consideration when choosing a chain. The twisted curb chain is unique and striking in form; flat link chains and cable chains feature bold oval-shaped links. Infinity chains use links of assorted sizes for added variety. In men’s jewelry, chains with box chain links or Cuban links have tight rows and angular shapes lending a more masculine flair.

Link necklaces are also made in a variety of metals. Gold link necklaces are ideal to match warmer hues; silver link necklaces pair well with cool tones in your wardrobe. A simple gold or silver chain can complement a favorite blouse, or it can be dressed up with a pendant necklace. A necklace with pearls, diamonds, amethysts or sapphires can add a pop of color.

Browse 1stDibs for a large selection of vintage link necklaces and other necklaces. From gold to silver jewelry, as well as different types of links and pendants, there is a link necklace to suit any taste.