Contemporary Necklaces
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 Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Jade, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Tourmaline, Malachite, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Contemporary Necklaces
Base Metal
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Necklaces
Jade
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 10k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
1990s Contemporary Necklaces
2010s British Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Mexican Contemporary Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Crystal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold
1990s French Contemporary Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Zircon, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Amethyst, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Rhodolite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Necklaces
Tanzanite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 24k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Ster...
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Necklaces
Tourmaline, Indicolite, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold,...
2010s Central American Contemporary Necklaces
Amazonite, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Carnelian, Freshwater Pearl, Jasper, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Opal, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold