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Early 2000s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Chandelier Earrings
Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, Tsavorite, 18k Gold
Vintage 1980s German Hoop Earrings
Vintage 1940s American Clip-on Earrings
Late 20th Century Dangle Earrings
Vintage 1960s American Modern Choker Necklaces
20th Century Retro Brooches
Crystal
Vintage 1980s French Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Retro Brooches
Crystal
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Artist Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Si...
2010s American Modern Dangle Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Stud Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Stud Earrings
Multi-gemstone, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Ruby, Sapphire, Rubelite, 18k Gold
20th Century French Dangle Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Hoop Earrings
Diamond, 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 drop-earrings for You
Earrings are a timeless accessory. Women have been wearing studs and hoops in civilizations as far back as Ancient Egypt. Diamond drop earrings, pearl versions and other antique drop earrings have a long history as well.
While hoops will always be beautiful, drop earrings hold their own as dazzling accessories, and jewelry designers have explored different variations on this style of earring over time.
Although the term is often misapplied, true drop earrings are characterized by a long lean line ending in a pear-shaped stone that drops just below the earlobe. These accessories were popular in the Art Deco era, which encompassed the 1920s and ’30s and ushered in a very distinct look in jewelry design.
There were many influences on Art Deco jewelry; among them, the excavation of the tomb of King Tut in 1922. “Egyptomania” left an indelible mark on all of the major jewelry houses, from Cartier to Van Cleef & Arpels, Boucheron and Georges Fouquet. Today, the popularity of long Art Deco drop earrings can be attributed to the influence of Coco Chanel. These earrings are frequently characterized by simple shapes, clean lines and an integration of colorful stones such as blue sapphires, emeralds and rubies to accent the pieces’ diamonds. Indeed, during the 20th century, as technology for diamond cutting improved, diamond drop earrings and other diamond jewelry came into wide popularity. Formal examples of diamond drop earrings pair perfectly with a cocktail dress or fancy pantsuit, while gem-set and gold drop earrings make great daytime accessories.
While there are at least several types of earrings you could be wearing right now, drop earrings work well for anyone who favors a minimalist look. Whatever the occasion, find a wide range of antique, diamond and pearl drop earrings on 1stDibs.