Contemporary Jewelry
Contemporary jewelry is inextricably linked with the moment in which it is created, frequently reflecting current social, cultural and political issues such as environmental consciousness, identity and sustainability. It’s informed by fashion trends, from the chokers of the 1990s to the large chain necklaces of the early 2000s.
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. Lockets made of silver or gold have been treasured gifts for hundreds of years, for example, and charm bracelets, which have existed since prehistoric times, didn’t become especially popular until the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria. For many centuries, fine jewelry was used primarily to express wealth or status through lavish materials. Then, in the 1960s, a concept known as the “critique of preciousness” emerged, with jewelers creating pieces that did not get their value from gemstones or precious metals. Instead, it was the jeweler’s artistic vision that was prized and elevated.
This shift still informs Contemporary jewelry being made by artists today. Whether they are using cheap, found materials and working with provocative geometric shapes or seeking out the rarest stones, they are imbuing their work with meaning through their skills, techniques and ideas. Innovative designers such as Elsa Peretti, who popularized sculptural sterling-silver jewelry for Tiffany & Co., and David Yurman, who twisted metal into the simple yet striking Cable bracelet, have also influenced the direction of Contemporary jewelry’s forms and aesthetics.
Meanwhile, technological advancements like metal alloys and laser engraving have led to new possibilities in jewelry design. Now, edgy makers and brands as well as minimalist designers are pushing Contemporary jewelry forward into the 21st century.
Find a collection of Contemporary rings, earrings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
Spinel, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Kyanite, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Star Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Cook Islands Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s British Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Peridot, Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Beryl, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Enamel, Silver, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Pearl, Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Y...
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel, Steel
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Stainless Steel, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Amethyst, Palladium, Gold, Sterling Silver, Silv...