Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
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.
Late 20th Century Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Spanish Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
2010s European Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
20th Century Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s European Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, Crystal, Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Other
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
1990s Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
20th Century French Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s French Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Chrysophrase, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 10k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
1980s Vintage Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
Early 2000s Indonesian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Jade, Quartz, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Vermeil
1950s European Vintage Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Turquoise, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Coral, Diamond
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Black Diamond, Spinel, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver