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.
Cognac and brandy heater in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
Cognac and brandy heater in 925 sterling silver Crystal glass and candle included. Made in Milan - Italy Diameter base 11 cm Maximum width including handle and glass 21 cm Height in...
Sterling Silver
Moiseikin Genuine Silver Nephrite Rooster Shot Cup
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup #22633
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup - This elegant Tiffany & Co. Sterling silver cordial cup features a a rounded modernist form and a gold washed interior Ma...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup #22632
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Makers Sterling Silver Vermeil Cordial Cup This elegant Tiffany & Co. sterling silver cordial cup features a rounded modernist form and a gold washed interior Match...
Sterling Silver
Cognac and brandy heater in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
Cognac and brandy heater in 925 sterling silver Crystal glass and candle included. Made in Florence - Italy Diameter base 8 cm Maximum width including glass 16 cm Height including g...
Sterling Silver
$1,327Sale Price / item|30% Off
Whisky Glass, Solid Silver, Moon , 1 Piece, Italy
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
K-over whisky glass are our latest creation. The value of this whisky glass lies on the innovative techniques that have been used in its production. As it can be clearly seen from the pictures, the surface of the K-OVER shines as the Moon. This innovative texture provides also a technical advantage: when you touch the cover, no fingerprint is left. The glass has been completely handcrafted by Marco Fedi, a Florentine master goldsmith. The production process took few weeks and the techniques used are spinning and engraving. This glass is produced in pure silver 999...
Silver
Set of 6 German Art Deco .800 Solid Silver Cordial or Liquor Glasses
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 Art Deco silver cordials. Elegantly simple with diminutive cups, straight stems and a round foot. The bases are marked with .800 for the silver fineness, a moon an...
Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Mid-Century Iced Tea Highball Spoon Straws
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Elevate your barware with this stunning set of four vintage sterling silver iced tea or highball drink stirrer straws from Tiffany & Co. Each spoon is 8.5" long and the concave mint...
Sterling Silver
Brandimarte 925 sterling silver large tulip wine glass
Located in Perugia, IT
925/ooo sterling silver tulip wine glass Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Made entirely by hand Weight g 226 Height 21 cm Base cm 7 Hammered workmanship has always bee...
Sterling Silver
19th Century Sterling Silver Flower Victorian Flask
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Victorian flask with overlaid sterling flower motif. PERIOD: Last quarter 19th Century ORIGIN: United States SIZE: 4 1/2"H x 2 1/2"W Barware, Flasks, Silver, Glass, Vintage, Antiqu...
Sterling Silver
Whiting Sterling Co. 19th Century Flask
Persian Islamic Solid Silver Set composed of a Jug & 6 Goblets on a Tray
Located in OVIEDO, AS
First Half 20th Century Persian Islamic Solid Silver drinking set, comprising of a Jug and six goblets on a tray, each piece profusely engraved and chased with typically Persian arab...
Silver
Antique Portuguese Goblet Cup solid 833 Silver / 173 gr
Located in SE
Antique Portuguese Silver Cup, thick walled, with continuous cast floral ornaments and well preserved internal gilding. This cup has a set of small sized conventional Portuguese ha...
Gold Plate, Silver
$2,000
H 3.39 in Dm 2.76 in
1779 Antique Tsarist Imperial Russian Cup solid 84 Sterling Silver / 102 gr
Located in SE
Handsome 245-year-old Russian solid Silver cup with continuous cast or impressed / hammered floral & tassels decorations. Period : reign of Catherine the Great ( 1762 to 1796 )...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Denmark Sterling Silver Hammered Wine Cup #222 #18392
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Denmark Sterling silver Hammered Wine Cup #222 This beautiful wine cup by designer Georg Jensen (Denmark) was meticulously crafted from sterling silver in a gorgeous, h...
Sterling Silver
$1,500
H 3.08 in W 1.15 in D 1.66 in
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Miniature Golf Set with Bag, Clubs, and Caddy
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine miniature sterling silver golf set. By Tiffany & Co. Consisting of golf bag, a caddy with wheels, and four golf clubs (1 iron, 3 iron, 6 iron, and 8 iron). The caddy has tw...
Sterling Silver
Antique Stieff Sterling Silver Repousse Salt Shaker
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique silver salt shaker. In sterling silver. By Stieff. With repousse flower decoration throughout and 3 small feet. Simply a...
Sterling Silver
Webster 1930's Sterling Silver with Maker's Mark Miniature Tong
Located in New York, NY
Webster 1930's of Mass., US, sterling silver miniature tong, with their iconic maker's mark engraved measures 3 1/8 inches by 1 inch, and a width measuring 1/2 inch. Made in USA.
Brandimarte 925 sterling silver beer mug
Located in Perugia, IT
Brandimarte 925/ooo sterling silver beer mug Height 11 cm Base 8 cm Width including handle 12 cm Weight 186g Manufactured by Brandimarte - Florence - Italy Handmade. Hammered workma...
Sterling Silver
Silver cocktail shaker 800
Located in Perugia, IT
Silver cocktail shaker 800 Weight g 390 Height 22 cm Diameter 9,5cm Diameter base 6,5 cm Made by Cesa - Made in Italy Elegant oblique godron finish with slightly rounded ribs. Perfe...
Silver
Sold
H 3.47 in W 1.58 in D 2.05 in
SV925 Gold-Plated Golden Fleece Shot Cup for Celebration, MOISEIKIN
By MOISEIKIN
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Adorable golden fleece is the wish of good luck and prosperity! Inspired by the Greek legend that the gold miners used fleece of the sheep to filter the gold from mountain streams, ...
Gold Plate, Silver
Munsteiner-Cut Rutilated Quartz Shot Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
For the man who thought he had everything: A One-of-a-Kind Hand-Carved, Munsteiner-Cut Shot Glass made of stunning smoky rutilated quartz (575.87cts). About the Artist: Atelier Mu...
Quartz