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.
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Sapphire, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Zambian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Zambian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
2010s Colombian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Asian Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Crystal, Tsavorite, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Rock Crystal, Emerald...
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Emerald, Peridot, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Rose Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Peridot, Malachite, Hematite, Emerald, Diamond, Agate, Sterling Silver, ...
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Gold, ...
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, Beryl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Go...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, Blue Sapphire, Black Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Silver, Ste...
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Necklaces
Quartz, White Diamond, Diamond, Emerald, Beryl, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, W...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Agate, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Necklaces
Pink Sapphire, Paraiba, Tourmaline, Spinel, Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphir...
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Sterling Silver, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Opal, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold