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 Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1960s European Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1970s British Vintage Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gol...
2010s Asian Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, Gold Plate, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Crystal, Tsavorite, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Ruby, Rock Crystal, Emerald...
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Quartz, Opal, Hematite, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 22k ...
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Iolite, Ruby, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sterling Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Ruby, Gold, ...
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Necklaces
Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Quartz, Blue Topaz, Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Opal, Moonstone, Garnet, Diamon...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Tourmaline, Tanzanite, Sapphire, Ruby, Quartz, Diamond, Amethyst, Sterli...
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Necklaces
Coral, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
2010s Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Onyx, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Tanzanite, Ruby, Rubelite, Quartz, Diamond, Amethyst, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Ruby, Diamond, White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
White Diamond, Ruby, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s Canadian Contemporary Necklaces
Aquamarine, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Druzy, Blue Topaz, Ruby, Peridot, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Agate, Enamel, ...
2010s Unknown Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Necklaces
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Necklaces
Iolite, Ruby, Gold-filled, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Necklaces
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold