Contemporary Drop Earrings
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.
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Quartz, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Black Pearl, White Diamond, Pearl, Diamond, Chalcedony, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Earrings
Coral, Tsavorite, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver, Ver...
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Earrings
Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, Fire Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Coral, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Citrine, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amber, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s European Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Apatite, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Quartz, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum, Rhodium, St...
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Quartz, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, Peridot, Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
White Diamond, Quartz, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Turquoise, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Drop Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterl...
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Rhodium
2010s Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Amazonite, Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Chalcedony, Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Drop Earrings
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Agate, Diamond, Onyx, Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Drop Earrings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Drop Earrings
Emerald, Opal
2010s American Contemporary Drop Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold