Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
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 Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sapphire, Tiger's Eye, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 2000s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Gold, Silver Plate
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
20th Century French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Pearl, Enamel
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Hong Kong Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sapphire, Tiger's Eye, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
1940s Hong Kong Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Aquamarine, Citrine, Pearl, Peridot, Tourmaline
1970s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
1930s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
1990s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Multi-gemstone, Peridot, Quartz, Tourmaline, Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, ...
1970s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
1990s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
20th Century Danish Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Tsavorite, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Jade, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Late 20th Century Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s Greek Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Brown Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1990s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Early 2000s French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s North American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Blue Sapphire, Gold Plate, Silver
Early 2000s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Mixed Metal
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Amethyst, Aquamarine, Citrine, Emerald, Iolite, Peridot, Rhodolite
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, ...
1970s Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century German Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Enamel
2010s Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s German Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s Greek Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Ro...
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Silver, Enamel
Early 2000s French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Jade, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Malachite, Bronze
1960s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Garnet, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Yellow Diamond...
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, R...
1990s French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
1930s Chinese Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade