Color Change Diaspore
2010s Loose Gemstones
Zultanite
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Zultanite, 14k Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Tsavorite, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Citrine, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Vermeil, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cuff Bracelets
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Tourmaline, Chrome Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Spinel, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
Early 20th Century Unknown Art Nouveau Cocktail Rings
Coral, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Zultanite, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Amazonite, Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Cuff Bracelets
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Recent Sales
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Engagement Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sapphire, Topaz, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Other
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Arts and Crafts Chain Necklaces
Zultanite
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Alexandrite, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Alexandrite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Alexandrite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Alexandrite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Alexandrite, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Alexandrite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Alexandrite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Green Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Alexandrite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Alexandrite, White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Alexandrite, 14k Gold, Yellow 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.