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.
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Vermeil, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tsavorite, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
1950s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Sterling Silver, Bronze, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, ...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gol...
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow S...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Morganite, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapph...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Morganite, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Fire Opal, Yellow Sapphire, Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Tourmaline, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Diamond, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Blue Topaz, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver