Contemporary 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.
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Earrings
Moonstone, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Chrysophrase, White Diamond, Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, Turquoise, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Earrings
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Earrings
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Rose Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Earrings
18k Gold, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Earrings
Onyx, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Black Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Earrings
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Earrings
14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold
Early 17th Century Antique Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 17th Century Italian Antique Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Aquamarine, White Diamond, Kunzite, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Early 2000s African Contemporary Earrings
Multi-gemstone, Amethyst, Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Platinum...
1990s Italian Contemporary Earrings
Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Mandarin Garnet, G...
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Multi-gemstone, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Oriental Pearl, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Garnet, Mandarin Garnet, G...
21st Century and Contemporary Belgian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Rubelite, Tourmaline, Mandarin Garnet, G...
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Yellow Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yello...
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Garnet, Tsavorite, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Beryl, Diamond, White Diamond, Morganite, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Rose...
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Labradorite, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Earrings
Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Copper
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yell...
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Zircon, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold