18 Carat Gold Purses
Antique Late 19th Century Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Vanity Items
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Garnet, Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s French Artisan Boxes and Cases
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s European Art Deco Vanity Items
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Modern Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
20th Century Artisan Link Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
Early 2000s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
Vintage 1980s Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
1980s American Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Artist Drop Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
Vintage 1980s American Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Rose Gold
Recent Sales
Late 20th Century Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Signet Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Tennis Bracelets
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Band Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Band Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Blue Topaz, Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Stud Earrings
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Whi...
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Aquamarine, White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White...
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tanzanite, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Cluster Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Blue Topaz, Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Hong Kong Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Blue Topaz, Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Whi...
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Signet Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Dome Rings
Onyx, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pink Sapphire, Rubelite, Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Carat Gold Purses For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 18 Carat Gold Purses?
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.