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
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Peridot, Sapphire, Amethyst, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Morganite, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Peridot, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Morganite, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century North American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Pearl, Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Carnelian, Chalcedony, Quartz, Amethyst, 18k Gold
2010s African Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Zircon, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k 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, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Morganite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Tanzanite, Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s European Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Sapphire, Peridot, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, White Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Brazilian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Amethyst, Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Peridot, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Peridot, Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Amethyst, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold, Whi...
1950s European Vintage Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Lever-Back Earrings
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold