Contemporary Cocktail Rings
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 Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s Thai Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Purple Sapphire, White Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Central American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold, Silver
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Alexandrite, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 10k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Chrysoberyl, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
1990s English Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Tourmaline, Topaz, Diamond, Citrine, Amethyst, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold
1990s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Platinum
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 14k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
1990s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Jade, Platinum
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sterling Silver
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Quartz, Sterling Silver
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
1990s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Chalcedony, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Silver, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Onyx, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
1990s French Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s European Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Quartz, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Cocktail Rings
Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold