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.
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, 22k ...
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
1950s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sapphire, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 19th Century American Antique Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Rhodolite, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Early 20th Century Malagasy Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Quartz
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Titanium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Amethyst, White Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s French Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Iolite, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Titanium
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, 14k Gold, White Gold
1970s European Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold