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
South Sea Pearl, Blue Topaz, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Topaz, White Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Malachite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 22k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Platinum, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, ...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Alexandrite, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Purpl...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Titanium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White...
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Rhodolite, Garnet, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold