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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, Citrine...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Iolite, White Diamond, Topaz, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, 14k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold