18k Gold Contemporary Earrings
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Moonstone, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Blue Sapphire, 22k Gold
2010s Dangle Earrings
Tanzanite, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Rhodium, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Hoop Earrings
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary More Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s Unknown Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Chalcedony, White Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Turquoise, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s French Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Iolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1960s French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
2010s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Sapphire, Diamond, Garnet, 18k Gold
2010s Art Deco Clip-on Earrings
Emerald, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Rock Crystal, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1940s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1980s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Yellow Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Hoop Earrings
White Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Carnelian, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Stud Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Stud Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Modern Hoop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Drop Earrings
Citrine, Onyx, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Drop Earrings
Citrine, Onyx, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Spinel, Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
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18k Gold Contemporary Earrings For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are 18k Gold Contemporary Earrings?
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.
Finding the Right Earrings for You
In the United States, ear piercing didn’t really become popular until the 1950s and ‘60s, but our desire for a dazzling pair of vintage earrings has deeper roots than that. In fact, wearing earrings actually goes back thousands of years, and you can find many tangible connections between now and then in how we continue to talk about these treasured accessories.
Women wore ornamental earrings — studs and hoops at the very least — in Ancient Egypt, which is home to mines that are among the earliest sources of emeralds in the world. Emerald earrings are highly prized today, and their quality lies in their rich, saturated color. The highest-quality emeralds are green or bluish-green. Earrings worn by the affluent in early Roman civilizations were set with precious stones such as diamonds and pearls, and a clean-looking pop of pearl on the front of the lobe is as timeless as ever. Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C.
Today, ear piercing is very popular all over the world, and, as a result, it is difficult to overstate how much everyone pines for a good pair of earrings — modernist drop earrings, glamorous Victorian hoops, geometrically complex chandelier earrings, you name it. Sure, jewelry trends and the fashion darlings of social media come and go, but earrings have a staying power that seems impenetrable: The still-strong love affair between British royals and Cartier earrings is more than a century old, glossy 1970s hoops from legacy houses such as Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels remain the statement makers they’ve always been and although people have been stacking earrings for many moons, the allure of an expertly mismatched stack of charms and studs still feels fresh and new.
While there is no shortage of modern earring designs to choose from, the classics, like coral earrings, Art Deco–style earrings and diamond drop earrings are still heavy hitters. On 1stDibs, find a wide range of antique, new and vintage earrings today.
- Is 18K gold good for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 14, 2023Yes, 18-karat gold can be good for earrings. Because it is an alloy, 18-karat gold is more durable and scratch-resistant than pure 24-karat gold. You can find 18-karat gold in rich warm yellow, cooler white with warm undertones and light pink rose. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of gold earrings.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023The difference between 14K and 18K white gold stud earrings comes down to the content of the precious metal alloy. Stud earrings made of 14-karat white gold are 58.3% gold and 41.7% base metal, while 18-karat gold is 75% pure gold and 25% other metals. As a result, 14-karat white gold tends to be stronger and more resistant to scratching, and 18-karat gold will have a more noticeable warm-glowing yellow tinge. On 1stDibs, shop a range of white gold stud earrings.
- Is 14K gold good for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 1, 2023Yes, 14k gold can be good for earrings. The precious metal is rich in color, making it an appealing choice for jewelry. It is also durable and reasonably priced compared to 18-karat gold. The biggest downside to 14-karat gold earrings is that they contain a larger percentage of base metals than 18-karat and may be more likely to cause sensitivity reactions in some people as a result. Explore a large selection of gold earrings on 1stDibs.
- Are 14K gold earrings good?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 6, 2023Yes, 14-karat gold earrings can be good. One of the biggest benefits of 14-karat gold is that the base metal content provides added strength, helping earrings resist scratching and damage. The downside to 14-karat gold is that its color often isn't as rich as purer alloys like 18- and 22-karat gold. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of gold earrings.
- Is 14K gold okay for earrings?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 27, 2023Yes, 14K gold is okay for earrings. In fact, many people opt for earrings crafted out of 14-karat gold. This type of gold is 53.8% pure gold and 41.7% alloy. The high content of base metals makes 14-karat gold strong enough to resist scratches, so earrings made from the precious metal can hold up to the effects of daily wear. Shop a diverse assortment of 14-karat gold earrings on 1stDibs.