Tanzanite Climbers
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Tanzanite, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Tanzanite, Sterling Silver
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Modern Engagement Rings
Ruby, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Stud Earrings
Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Modern Fashion Rings
Garnet, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1960s French Dangle Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Engagement Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Platinum, Gold
Antique Late 19th Century Pendant Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver
2010s Turkish Modern Stud Earrings
Peridot, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Art Deco Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Stud Earrings
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Stud Earrings
Amethyst, Topaz, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Solitaire Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Recent Sales
2010s British Contemporary Stud Earrings
Coral, Diamond, Spinel, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k 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 stud-earrings for You
Stud earrings have a unique and rich cultural history. Though their design has evolved, vintage stud earrings are still a classic jewelry style.
Stud earrings are frequently dated back over 7,000 years to Asia, where they were worn mostly by upper-class men to indicate their wealth and status. Although earrings sometimes fell out of favor over the years — such as when ear piercing was prohibited by the Catholic Church in the 13th century — they’ve remained one of the most enduring forms of body modification.
When diamond jewelry gained prominence in the 19th century, thanks to prosperity in Europe and the United States as well as the greater accessibility of gemstones, studs adorned with fine diamonds became popular. Screw-back earrings debuted in the late 19th century and allowed people without pierced ears to don the embellishment. Stud earrings became especially popular in the 1960s.
Stud earrings are simple and usually small in size, making them lightweight and easy to wear. Unlike other earrings, stud earrings have a floating appearance. They are often made with a single gemstone, such as a sapphire or emerald, and a straight post that goes through the ear, typically with a rubber or metal backing to hold it in place.
Today, stud earrings accentuate outfits with a casual, elegant style, adding a bit of glam to any ensemble. Find an eclectic array of stud earrings on 1stDibs.