Contemporary Bangles
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.
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
White Diamond, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Bangles
White Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Bangles
Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Danish Contemporary Bangles
Quartz, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century British Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century European Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Bangles
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Bangles
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Bangles
Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Sapphire, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Greek Contemporary Bangles
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Bangles
Aquamarine, Quartz, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Moonstone, Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
1990s Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Danish Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Sterling Silver
20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold