Contemporary 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.
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Chinese Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
1990s American Contemporary Earrings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Amber, Amethyst, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Pink Sapphire, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, Blue Topaz, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Earrings
Tanzanite, 22k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, Morganite, Blue Topaz, Yellow Beryl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Earrings
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
White Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Tsavorite, Gold, 9k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Earrings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Turquoise, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Earrings
Amethyst, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s Greek Contemporary Earrings
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Pink Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Emerald, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, Diamond, Yellow Gold