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.
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Diamond, Sa...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Fire Opal, Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tsavorite, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Pearl, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Fire Opal...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Turquoise, Black Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Garnet, Citrine, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1950s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Coral, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver, Bronze
2010s Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gol...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Zircon, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Morganite, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapph...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum