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.
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Zircon, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterl...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Apatite, Rhodolite, Peridot, Opal, Garnet, Citrine, Amethyst,...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Opal, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Malachite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Paraiba
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Topaz, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Ster...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Rhodolite, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Rose Gold, Silver, Sterlin...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Thai Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver