Contemporary Lever-Back 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 Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Beryl, Morganite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Amethyst, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Rubelite, Green Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Morganite, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Rose Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Peridot, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Turquoise, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Japanese Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Black Pearl, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Citrine, Quartz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Quartz, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
1990s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Spanish Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Peridot, 14k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Aquamarine, Rainbow Moonstone, Kyanite, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Tanzanite, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Enamel