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 American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Tanzanite, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Spinel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Moonstone, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Agate, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Indonesian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold-filled
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 10k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Amethyst, Jade, Opal, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver, Gilt Metal
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Other, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Blue Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold...
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Black Pearl, Pearl, Spinel
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
15th Century and Earlier American Antique Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Bronze, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Other
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Opal
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Labradorite, Opal, Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Quartz, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Silver Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Silver Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, White Diamond, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Labradorite, Pearl, Gold Plate, Silver Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Pearl, Silver, Silver Plate
2010s American Contemporary Beaded Necklaces
Gold Plate