Bar Harbor Jewelry
2010s Contemporary Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Link Bracelets
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Anklets
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Rose Gold
2010s Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Rose Gold
1990s Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s American Cufflinks
Gold
Antique 18th Century Japanese Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1950s American Link Bracelets
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Stud Earrings
Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Link Bracelets
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Modern Choker Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Wedding Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Rope Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Crystal, Opal, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s European Modern Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 1820s Swedish Medieval Signet Rings
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Wedding Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Link Bracelets
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1940s Unknown Art Nouveau Drop Earrings
Opal, Base Metal
Recent Sales
2010s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Giltwood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Link Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, White Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antiquities
Wood, Giltwood
2010s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
Bar Harbor Jewelry For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Bar Harbor Jewelry?
A Close Look at 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.