Dinosaur Design
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Wedding Rings
Other
2010s American Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Native American Cuff Bracelets
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Modern Cuff Bracelets
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Tsavorite, Gold, 14k Gold
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1970s American Native American Cocktail Rings
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Band Rings
Sapphire, Tsavorite, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s American Native American Cocktail Rings
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Band Rings
Gold, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Pendant Necklaces
Vintage 1940s American Cuff Bracelets
Turquoise, Turquoise Matrix, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Band Rings
Gold, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
Vintage 1950s American Native American Cuff Bracelets
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Native American Cuff Bracelets
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1960s Chain Necklaces
20th Century Unknown Native American Bangles
Opal, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Multi-Strand Necklaces
Agate, Amethyst, Coral, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver, Stainle...
2010s Band Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Recent Sales
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Fashion Rings
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Bangles
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Hoop Earrings
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Brass
2010s Australian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, Larimar, Chalcedony, Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Tiger's E...
2010s American Contemporary Hoop Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Platinum, 14k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Fashion Rings
White Diamond, Paraiba, Diamond, Tourmaline, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s American Modern Brooches
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Thai Artist Pendant Necklaces
Opal, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Dinosaur Design For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Dinosaur Design?
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.