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.
2010s Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Asian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Labradorite, Quartz, Spinel, Silver, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s Cypriot Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Agate, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Diamond, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Black Pearl, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Garnet, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tanzanite, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Crystal, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Ruby, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Yellow Sapphire, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Spinel, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Agate, Carnelian, Rock Crystal, Topaz, Brass