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.
1990s German Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jasper, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
2010s Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Brazilian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
20th Century American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold
Early 2000s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
20th Century Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Brass
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Jade, Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Jade, Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade, Ruby, Silver
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Russian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Silver
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Crystal, Onyx, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
Early 2000s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Jade
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Peridot, Sapphire, Pearl, T...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Emerald
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s British Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s Greek Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Aquamarine, Pearl, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, PVD-Coated, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Greek Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Aquamarine, Pearl, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Sterling Silver, PVD-Coated
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Sterling Silver, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Quartz, Silver, Copper
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Black Pearl, Pearl, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Objets d'Art and Vertu
Ruby, 18k Gold