Contemporary 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.
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Jade, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Necklaces
Blue Topaz, Topaz, White Diamond, Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Sil...
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Chrysophrase, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Morganite, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
9k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Black Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Jade, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Jade, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Necklaces
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
1990s Contemporary Necklaces
Amber, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Blue Topaz, G...
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Pink Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gol...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Quartz, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Necklaces
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Black Opal, Ruby, Opal, Diamond, Amber, Enamel, Sterling Silve...
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Necklaces
22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Onyx, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold