Contemporary Drop 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.
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1950s Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Jade, White Diamond, Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Platinum
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, Yellow Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Amethyst, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14...
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Coral, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sapphire, Opal, Silver, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Jade, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Sapphire, Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Garnet, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Crystal, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Quartz, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Drop Necklaces
Diamond, Star Sapphire, 14k Gold