Collane A Catena
1990s Italian Contemporary Rope Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Belle Époque Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
Vintage 1980s Italian Art Nouveau Fashion Rings
Coral, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s American Brooches
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s European Retro Brooches
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Fashion Rings
Gold
Vintage 1910s American Edwardian Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, Platinum
Vintage 1980s Italian Rope Necklaces
Vintage 1980s American Modernist Bangles
Late 20th Century European Modernist Brooches
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary British Art Deco Dangle Earrings
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Multi-Strand Necklaces
18k Gold
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 rope-necklaces for You
Diamond, pearl and other antique rope necklaces continue to be worn around the world and across cultures, thanks to their many styles and versatility.
While the term rope necklace may conjure up images of a classic gold link chain with a pattern like a rope, it can refer to any long necklace that drapes over the chest. This can include a string of pearls, a fabric rope with a pendant or a metal necklace made of interlocking links.
Rope necklaces are among the most ancient pieces of jewelry. Even before the Bronze Age, when twisted metal necklaces took hold, rope necklaces were fashioned out of natural materials. One found in Israel, dating back 120,000 years, had seashells painted with ocher on a flax string. Even after all these years, necklaces of any kind remain an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit.
Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging — everything from equestrian-inspired pieces to statement brooches have come into vogue in recent years — the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The artisans at Van Cleef & Arpels, the celebrated French jewelry house that has earned the adoration of modern royals, found lots of inspiration in King Tut, whose burial chamber informed the look of Art Deco necklaces and other adornments of the era. David Webb also looked to history for the design of his necklaces, mining the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Casual beads or a simple pendant can complete a relaxed ensemble, while multiple or heavy jeweled strands can give an outfit instant pizzazz. An antique or vintage rope necklace is the ultimate everyday accessory. Find yours today on 1stDibs.