Carpe Diem Necklace
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Aventurine, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aventurine, 18k Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Gold, Titanium
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Chrysophrase, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Aventurine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aventurine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Gold
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2010s American Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Israeli Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Unknown Victorian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Carnelian, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Crystal, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Chain Necklaces
Carnelian, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Yellow Gold
Vintage 1980s Modern Beaded Necklaces
Vintage 1950s More Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aventurine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Malagasy Art Deco Engagement Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Indian Anglo-Indian Pendant Necklaces
Other, Sterling Silver, Base Metal
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Diamond, Aventurine, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
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21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Fire Opal, 22k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
White Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Other, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Bangles
Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Bangles
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Other, Silver, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Pendant Necklaces
Chrysophrase, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary More Jewelry
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
Carpe Diem Necklace For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carpe Diem Necklace?
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.