Contemporary Loose Gemstones
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 Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Chrysoberyl
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Tsavorite
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Chrysoberyl
21st Century and Contemporary Malawian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Rhodolite
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Nigerian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Peridot
21st Century and Contemporary Zambian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tsavorite
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Tsavorite
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Yellow Sapphire
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal, Black Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tanzanite
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Emerald
2010s American Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Diamond
2010s Australian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Opal
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Beryl
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Aquamarine, Morganite
21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Topaz, Imperial Topaz
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Peridot
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Namibian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Rhodolite
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Garnet, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Sri Lankan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Purple Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Diamond
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Tourmaline, Other
21st Century and Contemporary Malagasy Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Chrysoberyl
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Spinel
21st Century and Contemporary Mozambican Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
Early 20th Century Burmese Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Ruby
1950s Burmese Vintage Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Rubelite, Tourmaline
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Loose Gemstones
Other