Lang Collection
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Ruby, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Emerald, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
South Sea Pearl, Ruby, White Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Blue Topaz, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Peridot, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Quartz, Tourmaline, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Bracelets
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Philippine Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Iolite, Moonstone, Peridot, Rubelite, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal, Ruby, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary More Earrings
Pink Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Cluster Rings
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dome Rings
Rubelite, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, Tourmaline, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Agate
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Malachite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Kunzite, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Quartz, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary More Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Tourmaline, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Three-Stone Rings
Quartz, Palladium
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Quartz, Palladium
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Choker Necklaces
Tourmaline, Spinel, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Swiss Wrist Watches
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Link Necklaces
White Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Wrist Watches
1990s Bangles
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Drop Earrings
Citrine, Tourmaline, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Deco Solitaire Rings
Diamond, Platinum
Lang Collection For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Lang Collection?
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.