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.
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Black Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Y...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz, Turquoise, Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Bronze, Steel
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Bronze, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Bronze, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Bronze, Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, PVD-Coated, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver, PVD-Coated
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
1990s Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
1960s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Chalcedony, Black Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Quartz, Diamond, Sapphire, ...
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Citrine, Garnet, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver
1940s Hong Kong Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Gold, Gold, 9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Amber, Carnelian, Multi-gemstone, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Jade, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Silver