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.
1990s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow...
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s European Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Pearl, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold Plate,...
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Blue Topaz, Diamond, Natural Pearl, Topaz, White Gold, ...
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Go...
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Multi-gemstone, Malachite, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Vermeil
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, White Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow ...
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Black Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Ster...
1990s Contemporary Necklaces
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Platinum
Early 2000s American Contemporary Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Carnelian, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Gilt Metal
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Natural Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Spanish Contemporary Necklaces
South Sea Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Tanzanite, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Citrine, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Tourmaline, Go...
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Spinel, Rhodocrosite
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Pearl, Tanzanite, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Amber, Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Pla...
2010s European Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sapphire, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Topaz, Peridot, Black Pearl, Garnet, Diamond, Carnelian, Agate, St...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Moonstone, Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold