Contemporary Jewelry
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.
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Titanium
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, Titanium
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Titanium
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Malachite, Coral
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Titanium
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Rock Crystal, Citrine, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Malachite
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Amber, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Titanium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Titanium
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Rock Crystal, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Rose Gold, Steel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Tanzanite, Tourmaline, Paraiba, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Black Pearl, Titanium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Malachite, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Tourmaline, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold