Sterling Rosary
21st Century and Contemporary American Artisan Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Quartz, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Quartz, Sapphire, Topaz, Diamond, Opal, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Sterlin...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold-filled, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Quartz, Ruby, Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Sterling S...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Tiger's Eye, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, Opal, Quartz, Ruby, Blue Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Quartz, Opal, Garnet, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 22k Gold, 18...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Quartz, Sapphire, Topaz, Rainbow Moonstone, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Sterl...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Garnet, Quartz, Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, E...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Quartz, Sterling Silver, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, Emerald, Jade, Agate, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Hematite, Moonstone, Tiger's Eye, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 14k ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Tourmaline, Gold, 22k Gold, S...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Quartz, Opal, Hematite, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 22k ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Amber, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Tiger's Eye, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Vermei...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Emerald, Hematite, Malachite, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Hematite, Opal, Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Multi-Strand Necklaces
Malachite, Opal, Diamond, Agate, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 14k Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Ruby, Pearl, Garnet, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Gold-filled, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Quartz, Opal, Jade, Diamond, Silver, Gold Pla...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Quartz, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Tiger's Eye, Ruby, Hematite, Emerald, Diamond, Vermeil, Gold Plate, Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Malachite, Sapphire, Tiger's Eye, Tourmaline, Gold, 14...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Hematite, Peridot, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Emerald, Malachite, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Hematite, Malachite, Ruby, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 14...
European More Jewelry
2010s American Gothic Revival Pendant Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Chandelier Earrings
Agate, Coral, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary More Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Beaded Bracelets
White Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Beaded Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Drop Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Iolite, Natural Pearl, Peridot, Multi-gemstone, Gold Pla...
Antique 19th Century Unknown More Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Modern Beaded Necklaces
Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Diamond, Garnet, Moonstone, Gold, Ster...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Tourmaline, Gold-filled,...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Aquamarine, Chalcedony, Diamond, Emerald, Tanzanite, Agate, Gold Plate, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pendant Necklaces
Peridot, Ruby, Sapphire, Agate, Citrine, Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gol...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Quartz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
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Sterling Rosary For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Sterling Rosary?
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 Necklaces for You
We are fortunate to know much of the world’s long and dazzling history of necklaces, as this type of jewelry was so treasured that it was frequently buried with its owners.
Lapis lazuli beads adorned necklaces unearthed from the royal graves at the ancient Iraqi civilization of Sumer, while the excavation of King Tut’s burial chamber revealed a sense of style that led to a frenzy of Art Deco designs, with artisans of the 1920s seeking to emulate the elegant work crafted by Ancient Egypt’s goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
In ancient times, pendant necklaces worn by royalty and nobles conferred wealth and prestige. Today, wearing jewelry is about personal expression: Luxury diamond necklaces exude confidence and can symbolize the celebratory nature of a deep romantic relationship, while paper-clip chain-link necklaces designed by the likes of goldsmith Faye Kim are firmly planted in the past as well as the present. Kim works exclusively with eco-friendly gold, and these fashionable, fun accessories owe to the design of 19th-century watch fobs.
For some, necklaces are thought of as being a solely feminine piece, but this widely loved accessory has been gender-neutral for eons. In fact, just as women rarely took to wearing a single necklace during the Renaissance, men of the era layered chains and valuable pendants atop their bejeweled clothing. In modern times, the free-spirited hippie and counterculture movements of the 1960s saw costume-jewelry designers celebrating self-expression through colorful multistrand necklaces and no shortage of beads, which were worn by anyone and everyone.
Even after all of these years, the necklace remains an irrefutable staple of any complete outfit. Although new trends in jewelry are constantly emerging, the glamour and beauty of the past continue to inform modern styles and designs. In a way, the cyclical history of the necklace differs little from its familiar looped form: The celebrated French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels found much inspiration in King Tut, and, now, their Alhambra collection is a go-to for modern royals. Vintage necklaces designed by David Webb — whose work landed him on the cover of Vogue in 1950, two years after opening his Manhattan shop — were likely inspired by the ornamental styles of ancient Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt.
On 1stDibs, browse top designers like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Bulgari, or shop by your favorite style, from eye-catching choker necklaces to understated links to pearl necklaces and more.