Dee Pendant
21st Century and Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Nickel, Metal
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Afghan Adam Style Natural Specimens
Rock Crystal
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Bookcases
Copper
Vintage 1970s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass, Gold
Antique Late 17th Century Spanish Neoclassical Decorative Bowls
Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Serving Pieces
Early 20th Century Dutch Arts and Crafts Decorative Boxes
Brass, Copper
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Natural Specimens
Crystal, Rock Crystal
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass, Nickel
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Sculptures
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware, Glass
Antique Late 19th Century English Arts and Crafts Bookcases
Brass
Vintage 1960s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Crystal, Brass
Vintage 1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Brass
Antique Mid-18th Century Dutch Decorative Art
Glass, Paper
Recent Sales
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Peridot, Tourmaline, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Peridot, Quartz, Tourmaline, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Topaz, Zircon, Gold-filled
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Peridot, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Labradorite, Zircon, Chalcedony, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Moonstone, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Peridot, Tourmaline, Aquamarine, Gold-filled
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Onyx, Opal, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Stud Earrings
White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Opal, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Lapis Lazuli
2010s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Moonstone, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Stud Earrings
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k 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.
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