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
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Peridot, Multi-gemstone, Garnet, Citrine, Yellow Gold...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Mixed Metal, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Ameth...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1910s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Asian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Carnelian, Hessonite, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Amethyst, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 18k Gold, T...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, 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 Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Kunzite, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Asian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Oceanic Contemporary Jewelry
Indicolite, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Asian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold