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.
1970s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
1970s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Freshwater Pearl, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
1990s French Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Bangles
Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s French Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver, Rose Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Gold, Yellow Gold, 22k Gold
1970s European Vintage Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Bangles
1970s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Bangles
White Diamond, Diamond, Enamel, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold, White Gold...
1990s Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Contemporary Bangles
Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Bangles
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
20th Century Italian Contemporary Bangles
Fire Opal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Bangles
White Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Spanish Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Sapphire, Diamond, Star Sapphire, Silver
Mid-20th Century Italian Contemporary Bangles
Citrine, 18k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Bangles
Ruby, Jade, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s European Vintage Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
Late 20th Century Mexican Contemporary Bangles
Sterling Silver
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Bangles
Jade
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Bangles
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Bangles
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum