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 French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Brass
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Yellow Gold, Silver Plate
2010s Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Malachite, Coral
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Amethyst, Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Japanese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Pearl, Enamel
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Amethyst, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Quartz, Jasper, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century North American Antique Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
14k Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Palladium, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Garnet, Peridot, Tsavorite, Blue Topaz, Jasper, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Silver
Early 2000s French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Malachite
2010s Thai Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
1980s Hong Kong Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
Late 20th Century German Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Enamel
1970s Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Silver, Gold
1970s European Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold
1940s Hong Kong Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Carnelian
2010s Brazilian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Amethyst, Quartz, Jasper, Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gilt Metal