Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
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.
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Aquamarine, Rainbow Moonstone, Kyanite, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Moonstone, Quartz, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Natural Pearl, Black Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Emerald, Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Jasper, Onyx, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Coral, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
1980s Spanish Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Spanish Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Spanish Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Black Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gol...
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Blue Topaz, Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Tanzanite, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Cypriot Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold