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 Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Topaz, Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Topaz, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amazonite, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tsavorite, Garnet, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gilt Metal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Fire Opal, Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, Yell...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Fire Opal, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Apatite, Topaz, Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite, Garnet, Ca...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Black Diam...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Apatite, Topaz, Quartz, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite, Garnet, Ca...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, 14k G...
Early 2000s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold