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 Cypriot Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Black Pearl, Bronze, 14k Gold, Gold-filled
2010s British Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose 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 American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Garnet, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Moonstone, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s English Contemporary Chain Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Malachite, Carnelian, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Swiss Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chalcedony, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Cypriot Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Natural Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate, Brass, 10k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold-fille...
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Rock Crystal, Quartz, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Garnet, Diamond, Amber, Sterling Silver, Vermeil, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Natural Pearl, Aquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Topaz, Pearl, 18k Gold, Wh...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Black Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold-fille...
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Opal, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, Silver, Gold Plate
2010s Italian Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Garnet, Diamond, Amber, Gold Plate, Gold-filled, 18k Gold, 14k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Pearl, Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s European Contemporary Chain Necklaces
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold