Collane A Catena
1990s Italian Contemporary Rope Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
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2010s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Band Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s American Native American Fashion Rings
Onyx, Turquoise, Jasper, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Italian Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings
South Sea Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Antique 18th Century and Earlier Italian Artist Fashion Rings
Quartz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Band Rings
South Sea Pearl, 9k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s British Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Modern Stud Earrings
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, White Gold
2010s Italian Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Modern Fashion Rings
Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Modern Band Rings
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
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.
Finding the Right rope-necklaces for You
Diamond, pearl and other antique rope necklaces continue to be worn around the world and across cultures, thanks to their many styles and versatility.
While the term rope necklace may conjure up images of a classic gold link chain with a pattern like a rope, it can refer to any long necklace that drapes over the chest. This can include a string of pearls, a fabric rope with a pendant or a metal necklace made of interlocking links.
Rope necklaces are among the most ancient pieces of jewelry. Even before the Bronze Age, when twisted metal necklaces took hold, rope necklaces were fashioned out of natural materials. One found in Israel, dating back 120,000 years, had seashells painted with ocher on a flax string. Even after all these years, necklaces of any kind remain an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit.
Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging — everything from equestrian-inspired pieces to statement brooches have come into vogue in recent years — the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The artisans at Van Cleef & Arpels, the celebrated French jewelry house that has earned the adoration of modern royals, found lots of inspiration in King Tut, whose burial chamber informed the look of Art Deco necklaces and other adornments of the era. David Webb also looked to history for the design of his necklaces, mining the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
Casual beads or a simple pendant can complete a relaxed ensemble, while multiple or heavy jeweled strands can give an outfit instant pizzazz. An antique or vintage rope necklace is the ultimate everyday accessory. Find yours today on 1stDibs.