Dower Hall
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Bangles
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Mid-19th Century British Victorian Jewelry Boxes
Multi-gemstone, Silver, Brass
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Antique 1890s British Victorian Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Moonstone, Zircon, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Art Nouveau Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Choker Necklaces
Rhodium, Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Chain Bracelets
Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Blue Diamond, Brown Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Morganite, Opal, Sterling Silver
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1980s European Beaded Necklaces
20th Century French Charm Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1880s Unknown Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Recent Sales
Antique 1840s British Gothic Revival Dining Room Tables
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Books
Leather, Paper
Dower Hall For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dower Hall?
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.
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