Contemporary Chain 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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Brass,...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold, ...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, Gold Plate, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Citrine, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Iolite, Ruby, 10k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Crystal, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Brass, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Fire Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Peridot, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Sapphire, Tanzanite, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond,...
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, White Diamond, Brass,...
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Emerald, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Iolite, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Black Pearl, Silver
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze