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 Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Silver
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Rubelite, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Rubelite, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Indicolite, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold,...
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s Central American Contemporary Jewelry
Amazonite, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Rhodolite, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Zircon, Blue Topaz, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Carnelian, Freshwater Pearl, Jasper, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Amethyst, Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Purple Sapphire, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Titanium
1990s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Bronze
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Sapphire