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 Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Mandarin Garnet, Rubelite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Palladium, Silver, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century German Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Sterling Silver, Bronze, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Aquamarine, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Rock Crystal, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Crystal, ...
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Jasper, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Spinel, 22k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Pink Sapphire, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil