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.
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Rock Crystal
Late 20th Century North American Contemporary Necklaces
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, White Gold, 14k...
2010s Swiss Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Chrysophrase, Black Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
South Sea Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Blue Topaz, Freshwater Pearl, Topaz, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Rubelite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Necklaces
Malachite, Carnelian, Pearl, Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
2010s Australian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Coral, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Stainless Steel
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Chalcedony, Iolite, Pearl
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
South Sea Pearl
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Iolite, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Freshwater Pearl, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Topaz, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Topaz, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Tsavorite, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Chalcedony, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Enamel
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Spinel