Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Greek Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Aquamarine, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Crystal, Onyx, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Base Metal
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Early 2000s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s German Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
Early 2000s Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, Other
Early 2000s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Brass
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Peridot, Sapphire, Pearl, T...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 24k Gold, Silver
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Diamond, Tsavorite, Blue Sapphire, Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
1970s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
1930s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1930s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Bronze, Rose Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Bronze
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Bronze, Rose Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Turquoise, Quartz, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Citrine, Amethyst, Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold