Tattoo Ring
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Citrine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Artist Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Brown Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Black Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Signet Rings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s British Modern Signet Rings
Quartz, Gold
Vintage 1950s British Signet Rings
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1950s British Modernist Signet Rings
18k Gold
Early 20th Century American Georgian Signet Rings
Carnelian, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Georgian Signet Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s American Wedding Rings
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Art Deco Three-Stone Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Vintage 1940s British Art Deco Signet Rings
Gold
Late 20th Century Modernist Signet Rings
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Modern Band Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Signet Rings
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Fashion Rings
Gold, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Onyx, Mixed Metal
Recent Sales
2010s French Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Band Rings
Titanium
Antique 1740s Georgian Cluster Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Band Rings
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Bangles
Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Drop Earrings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Stud Earrings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Chain Bracelets
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Bangles
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Choker Necklaces
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Rose Gold, Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Charm Bracelets
Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Bangles
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver, Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Black Diamond, Silver, Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Rose Gold, Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Bangles
Rose Gold, Titanium
2010s French Contemporary Drop Earrings
Black Diamond, Rose Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary More Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary More Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1960s French Artisan Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Band Rings
Stainless Steel
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.