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.
Christofle 24 Piece Silver Plate Mood Silverware Set
By Christofle
Located in New York, NY
This Christofle Mood silver plate flatware set presents a polished, contemporary serving design with the brand’s distinctive egg-shaped storage case. T...
Silver Plate
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cocktail Forks Set Of 3 #24493
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cocktail Forks Set Of 3 - These vintage Tiffany & Co. sterling silver cocktail forks (set of three) are ideal ...
Sterling Silver
St. Lucia Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
St Lucia Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 4.37in / 11.1cm Width 0.90in / 2.5cm Weight 15.1gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run busine...
Silver
Queen Mary Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Queen Mary Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 4.68in / 11.9cm Width 0.86in / 2.2cm Weight 8.1gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of ref...
Silver
Disneyland Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Disneyland Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 4.40in / 11.2cm Width 0.98in / 2.5cm Weight 14.1gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run busin...
Silver
Windsor Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Windsor Silver Teaspoon Length 4.40in / 11.2cm Width 0.90in / 2.3cm Weight 12.4gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of...
Silver
Las Vegas Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Las Vegas Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 4.29in / 10.9cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 9gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business je...
Silver
Colombian Republic 1916 Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Colombian Republic 1916 Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 4.84in / 12.3cm Width 1.18in / 3cm Weight 16gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a large track record being official distributers of prime European jewelry...
Silver
Inverness Collection Souvenir Silver Teaspoon with child in cross
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Inverness Silver Teaspoon Length 3.38in / 8.6cm Width 0.90in / 2.3cm Weight 10.3gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a l...
Silver
Antigua Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Antigua Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 3.70in / 9.4cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 12gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewe...
Silver
Boston Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Boston Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 3.54in / 9cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 7.5gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewele...
Silver
Montreal Canada Maple Leaf Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Montreal Canada Maple Leaf Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 3.58in / 9.1cm Width 0.70in / 1.8cm Weight 7.7gr PRADERA is a second g...
Silver
Lugano City Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Lugano City Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 3.93in / 10cm Width 0.82in / 2.1cm Weight 9.4gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a large track record being official distributers of prime European jewelry...
Silver
$950 / set
H 0.48 in W 0.87 in L 5.83 in
Set of 6 Antique Richard Garten 800 Silver & Dresden Porcelain Dessert Spoons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 antique silver & porcelain dessert (or possibly demitasse) spoons. By Richard Garten. In gilt 800 silver. With raised enamel jeweling to the Dresden porcelain han...
Silver
1840 Silver Retrò Salt and Pepper English Set in Silver
Located in Marcianise, CE
Wonderful salt and pepper retrò set realized in silver with a very special flowers and leaves themes engravings. It is dated 1840 and it is english! This set was totally handmade by ...
Silver
$493
W 1.12 in L 5.75 in
Set of 6 Georg Jensen Denmark Acanthus Sterling Silver Teaspoons 5 3/4" # 19723
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 6 sterling silver teaspoons by Georg Jensen Denmark in the Acanthus pattern. The Acanthus pattern was designed by Johan Rohde and introduced in 1917. A romantic swirl design ...
Sterling Silver
Allan Adler Salad Servers
By Allan Adler
Located in Darnestown, MD
Modernist set of salad servers by Allan Adler in sterling and ebony. Streamlined and elegant. Spoon is 13" in length; fork is 12 7/8". Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Matchbox Holder & Ashtray Set
Located in Sewickley, PA
This Tiffany & Co. sterling silver matchbox and ashtray set is a refined example of the brand's elegant decorative craftsmanship. The set includes a rectangular matchbox holder and a...
Sterling Silver
Art Deco Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver and Crystal Vanity Set
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Product details: The set includes Tiffany & Co sterling serving tray, it is stamped with serial number 21253, q-tips jar, cotton balls jar, pill box, perfume bottle and tooth brush...
Crystal, Sterling Silver
$3,850 / set
H 0.25 in Dm 3.13 in
Rare Set of 9 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Vine Pattern Butter Pats
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extremely rare set of sterling silver butter pats. In the Vine pattern decorated with raised poppies and other flowers around the rim's edge. By Tiffany & Co. Monogrammed to t...
Sterling Silver
Antique Crested Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Tea or Coffee Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique crested tea or coffee service. Comprised of a tall tea or coffee pot with a wooden handle, an open sugar, and a creamer in heavy-gauge sterling silver. Each of the 3...
Sterling Silver
$240Sale Price|20% Off
L 3.75 in
Marina J 6 Rhodium Plated Sterling Silver Tea Spoon Set with Lapis Lazuli Stones
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of 6 rhodium-plated sterling silver teaspoons with lapis lazuli stones are elegant, with spiral handles. These vintage spoons were re-imagined ...
Lapis Lazuli, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
Set of Twelve Georgian Sterling Silver Dinner-Plates
Located in London, GB
A set of twelve Georgian sterling silver dinner-plates, eleven with the mark of Thomas Heming, London, 1774, one with the mark of Sebastian and James Crespell, London, 1769 Each shaped circular with gadrooned border, later engraved with two crests, marked underneath, the single example further engraved with scratch weight '18"3' 9 ¼ in. (24.8 cm.) diam. 205 oz. 2 dwt (6,400 gr.) The crests are those of Shaw and Stewart as borne by the Shaw Stewart baronets, probably for Sir John Shaw...
Sterling Silver
$3,250 / set
H 3.63 in Dm 2.38 in
Boxed Set of 6 Garrard & Co. Sterling Silver Small Wine or Cordial Goblets
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 small wine or cordial cups or goblets By Garrard & Co. Limited of London, England. In sterling silver. Founded in 1722, Garrard was made the first ever Crown Jewelers for the English throne and held that distinction from 1843 - 2007. Garrard has also made jewelry for royalty and various world cup trophies...
Sterling Silver
$1,650 / set
H 2.25 in Dm 1.38 in
Set of 4 Crested Tiffany & Co Gilt Sterling Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine set of 4 antique gilt sterling silver salt & pepper shakers. By Tiffany & Co. Each shaker is engraved to the center with a Crest of a large bird (which appears to be a...
Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
Antique Stieff Sterling Silver Repousse Salt Shaker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver salt shaker. In sterling silver. By Stieff. With repousse flower decoration throughout and 3 small feet. Simply a...
Sterling Silver
Mid-Century Modern Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Cocktail Jigger or Measure
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine sterling silver cocktail jigger. By Tiffany & Co. With a gold wash and stepped, conical sides. Model no. 22714 Simply a great Tiffany cocktail jigger! Date: Mid-20th Cen...
Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
Christofle French Silver Plated 6 Piece Dinnerware Set
By Christofle
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This vintage Christofle silverplate flatware set, stamped with the classic OC Christofle hallmark and FRANCE, dates to the late 1930s through the 1940s. The marks correspond to Chris...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. ABC Bears Sterling Silver Baby Spoon & Fork Set, New in Box
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
This charming Tiffany & Co. ABC Bears Sterling Silver Baby Spoon & Fork Boxed Gift Set is designed with both functionality and whimsy in mind. As baby's first flatware, the t...
Sterling Silver
Moiseikin Silver Nephrite Lotus Dessert Plate
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
MOISEIKIN's exquisite LOTUS tea set made with genuine silver and gem quality Ural nephrite, a spiritual and energy stone. Genuine nephrite is rich in minerals and trace elements, has a caring effect on the skin, and relieves stress. The texture is delicate and smooth, releasing a pleasant mood. Jade is a symbol of status and wealth. Water-soaked in jade or nephrite stone can approach or reach the standard of high-quality mineral water within three hours. Traces of selenium released when brewing tea with a jade tea set...
Jade, Silver
Paris Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon with enamel Tour Eiffel
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Paris Silver Teaspoon Length 4.29in / 10.9cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 11gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a large tr...
Silver
21st Century, Champagne Cover, Solid Pure Silver, Chrysler Building, Italy
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
This champagne cover/glacette belongs to the collection: works of art. The oeuvre was realized by a Florentine artist who wanted to celebrate the well-known Chrysler building. The co...
Silver