Unmounted Rubies
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Topaz, Imperial Topaz
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Namibian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline, Indicolite
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Engagement Rings
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline
Antique 15th Century and Earlier Loose Gemstones
Spinel
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Engagement Rings
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Spinel
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Engagement Rings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Ethiopian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Namibian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Burmese Artisan Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Artisan Loose Gemstones
Garnet
Unmounted Rubies For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Unmounted Rubies?
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.