Georg Jensen Peace Bird Design

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.

When you’re sifting through your classic gold bracelets, diamond bracelets or other elegant links to wear for an evening out, remember that antique and vintage chain bracelets complete and complement any style.

Chain bracelets typically have connected links of metal, often gold or silver, and can be minimally simple or adorned with charms. Examples of chain bracelets date back to Ancient Rome.

Your favorite chain bracelet, like a lot of vintage and antique bracelets, can accent your ensemble and serve as a colorful expression of your personal fashion sense, whether you’re pairing your best tennis bracelet with a stylish Chanel suit or stacking a handful of bangles to wear with your trusty blue jeans.

And styling bracelets is a cinch: Don’t overwhelm a slim wrist with a chunky link chain bracelet, for example. An understated, single-strand leather piece will work better in that instance, while a charm bracelet — one passed down as an heirloom, perhaps — could add a focal point without too much bulkiness.

Antique chain bracelets add unique charm to ensembles and are sure to be cherished keepsakes in any jewelry box. Art Deco chain bracelets, which are frequently embellished with colorful gemstones, are works of art that spark conversations and welcome compliments. The elegance of the 1920s and ’30s is at home with evening wear as well as a classic suit or sheath dress.

Eye-catching bracelets made around the world can adorn wrists and become treasured gifts. Browse gold and jeweled antique chain bracelets on 1stDibs.