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.
1970s Spanish Vintage Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Black Pearl, Bronze, 14k Gold, Gold-filled
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, Silver, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Tsavorite, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
20th Century Dutch Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Sapphire, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Turkish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Geode, Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold