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 Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Quartz, Blue Sapphire, Malachite, Diamond, Aquamarine, Sterling Silver, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Canadian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Sterling Silver, Bronze, Silver
2010s Canadian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Ruby, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, Pearl, 18k Gold, Wh...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Quartz, Moonstone, Diamond, Aquamarine, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 14k...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, 1...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Tourmaline, Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Ruby, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Aquamarine, Gold, Bronze, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Citrine, Opal, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Aquamarine, Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Labradorite, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Opal, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Gold, Platinum, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Emerald, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Diamond, Quartz, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Beryl, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Emerald, Aquamarine, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Black Diamond, Aquamarine, Sterling Silver, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Aquamarine, Morganite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, White Gold