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 Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Crystal, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Citrine, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Necklaces
Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Necklaces
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Mexican Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Diamond, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Kunzite, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
1960s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Onyx, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Necklaces
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Gilt Metal
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Necklaces
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Chinese Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Jade
2010s East Asian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold, White Gold