Dinosaur Design
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Wedding Rings
Other
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Native American Cuff Bracelets
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Modern Cuff Bracelets
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Thai Art Deco Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Agate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Citrine, Jasper, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1930s Unknown Art Deco Band Rings
9k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Tsavorite, Sapphire, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1940s American Cuff Bracelets
Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Sterling Silver
Antique 19th Century British Early Victorian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1960s French More Rings
18k Gold
2010s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
Vintage 1960s Chain Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Native American Bangles
Opal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1950s Rococo Drop Necklaces
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Asian Signet Rings
Carnelian, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Multi-Strand Necklaces
Amethyst
Vintage 1960s American Retro Choker Necklaces
Crystal, Jasper, Base Metal
Recent Sales
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Charoite, Tiger's Eye, Quartz, Chalcedony, Larimar, Turquo...
2010s American Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Platinum, 14k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Paraiba, Diamond, Tourmaline, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Thai Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Dinosaur Design For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dinosaur Design?
A Close Look at 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.