Flip Flop Ring

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.

Diamond and gold anklets and other vintage and antique bracelets can provide the oft-needed finishing touch to a formal look for an evening out as easily as they can spice up your daily casual attire.

Anklets date back thousands of years with a history of adornment in South Asia, ancient Egypt and Bronze Age Europe. Unlike some jewelry worn during those earlier centuries, anklets did not convey any class significance among the wearers.

Anklets are also known as ankle bracelets or ankle chains as they tend to consist of thinner materials, whereas bracelets might have thicker fabrics and weightier metals. Over the years, the anklet spread in popularity, particularly in the 1920s — Art Deco jewelry designers frequently incorporated colorful stones in the bracelets of the era — and as part of hippie style in the 1960s.

Today, anklets are a beautiful way to incorporate more jewelry into one’s outfit or ensemble. Some ankle bracelets consist of braided materials while others have luxury gemstones, like diamonds.

Anklets can be found in a range of styles including contemporary, modern, retro and Art Nouveau. Browse an extensive collection of vintage diamond and gold anklets on 1stDibs today.