Disa Allsopp
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Modern Bracelets
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Palladium
2010s English Artist Band Rings
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
People Also Browsed
2010s Italian Art Deco Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Arts and Crafts Loose Gemstones
Amethyst
2010s Turkish Modern Stud Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s American Artisan Dangle Earrings
Emerald, Opal, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Swiss Modern Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Modern Engagement Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Early 1900s European Art Nouveau Brooches
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Contemporary Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Artist Band Rings
Ruby, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Retro Wrist Watches
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artist Cocktail Rings
Indicolite, Tourmaline, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Recent Sales
2010s British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Carnelian, Garnet, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Morganite, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Beryl, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Citrine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Bridal Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Solitaire Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Yellow Diamond, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Bridal Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Band Rings
Blue Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Beryl, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Morganite, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Amethyst, Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold
2010s British Artist Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Mixed Metal, Gold, 18k ...
2010s British Artisan Band Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Si...
2010s British Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Zircon, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Garnet, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Morganite, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Citrine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Band Rings
18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, 18k 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 rings for You
Antique and vintage rings have long held a special place in the hearts of fine jewelry lovers all over the world.
No matter their origin or specific characteristics, rings are timeless, versatile accessories. They’ve carried deep meaning since at least the Middle Ages, when diamond rings symbolized strength and other kinds of rings were worn to signify romantic feelings or to denote an affiliation with a religious order. Rings have also forever been emblematic of eternity.
Over time, rings have frequently taken the form of serpents, which have long been associated with eternal life, health and renewal. Italian luxury jewelry house Bulgari has become famous for its widely loved Serpenti motif, for example, and its Serpenti ring, like the other accessories in the collection, began as an homage to jewelry of the Roman and Hellenistic eras. The serpent is now a popular motif in fine jewelry. Jewelry devotees have long pined for rings adorned with reptiles, thanks to antique Victorian rings — well, specifically, Queen Victoria’s illustrious engagement ring, which took the form of a gold snake set with rubies, diamonds and an emerald (her birthstone). Designs for Victorian-era engagement rings often featured repoussé work and chasing, in which patterns are hammered into the metal.
Engagement rings, which are reliably intimidating to shop for, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. On 1stDibs, a range of buying guides can be found for those in the market for antique engagement rings, vintage engagement rings or Art Deco engagement rings.
The most collectible antique engagement rings and vintage engagement rings are those from the Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco eras. Named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who in succession ruled England starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign), antique Georgian rings, be they engagement rings or otherwise, are also coveted by collectors. Pearls, along with colored gemstones like garnets, rubies and sapphires, were widely used in Georgian jewelry. The late-1700s paste jewelry was a predecessor to what we now call fashion or costume jewelry.
The Art Nouveau movement (1880–1910) brought with it rings inspired by the natural world. Antique Art Nouveau rings might feature depictions of winged insects and fauna as well as women, who were simultaneously eroticized and romanticized, frequently with long flowing hair. Art Deco jewelry, on the other hand, which originated during the 1920s and ’30s, is by and large “white jewelry.” White metals, primarily platinum, were favored over yellow gold in the design of antique Art Deco rings and other accessories as well as geometric motifs, with women drawn to the era’s dazzling cocktail rings in particular.
Whether you’re hunting down a chunky classic for a Prohibition-themed cocktail party or seeking a clean contemporary design to complement your casual ensemble, find an exquisite collection of antique, new and vintage rings on 1stDibs.