French Legion Of Honor 18k Gold
Antique 1880s French Etruscan Revival Brooches
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Brooches
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Crystal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Platinum
1880s Impressionist Animal Paintings
Oil, Panel
Antique Mid-19th Century French Napoleon III Brooches
Diamond, Onyx, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
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Antique 18th Century Italian Victorian More Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
Vintage 1970s American Native American Drop Necklaces
Coral, Onyx, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage 1970s Hoop Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Belle Époque More Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1920s Pointillist Landscape Paintings
Oil, Panel
1870s Impressionist Landscape Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Clip-on Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Early 1900s Paintings
Oil
Vintage 1980s Unknown Brooches
1870s Impressionist Landscape Drawings and Watercolors
Pastel, Board, Paper
Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Late 19th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
Oil, Board
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Brooches
Rhodium, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Recent Sales
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Peridot, Tourmaline, 18k Gold...
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Emerald, Rubelite, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yel...
2010s French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Sapphire, Aquamarine, Blue Sapphire, Rock Crystal, Freshwater Pearl, Dia...
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rock Crystal, Rubelite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gol...
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 1...
2010s French Contemporary Brooches
Diamond, Opal, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
French Drop Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Revival Brooches
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Drop Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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.