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.
Tiffany & CO. Sterling Silver Baby Spoons (Set of 2) #22642
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Baby Spoons (Set of 2) - These elegant Tiffany & Co. baby spoon set is crafted in sterling silver in the original Tiffany blue box. Size: approx. 4.25...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Cartier Sterling Silver Child’s Fork Signed .925 Silver
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A rare and charming collectible, this Cartier child’s fork is crafted in fine .925 sterling silver, weighing approximately half an ounce and measuring 3.75 inches in length. Elegantly signed on the reverse, it reflects the heritage of Cartier’s master silversmithing, made in the USA with exceptional craftsmanship. Sterling silver baby gifts...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Table Spoon with Diamond Accents
Located in BADALONA, ES
Handcrafted table spoon in sterling silver. The form is defined by a sculptural floral handle, integrated into the structure of the object rather than applied as decoration. The silv...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
St. Lucia Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
St Lucia Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 4.37in / 11.1cm Width 0.90in / 2.5cm Weight 15.1gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run busine...
Silver
Torrini aperitif set with 6 wooden and 925 sterling silver swords
By Torrini
Located in Perugia, IT
Torrini aperitif set with 6 wooden and 925 sterling silver swords Sword holder measurements mm 65 x 65 x 60 Spadine length mm 125 Total height including swords mm 150 Made in Florence - Italy Nice aperitif tableware made of wood and silver in the typical style of the old Torrini goldsmith workshop in Florence. Torrini is the owner of its trademark (Torrini 1369...
Sterling Silver
Set of 4 Georg Jensen Pyramid Sterling Silver Mocha Spoons #24540
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 4 Georg Jensen Pyramid Sterling Silver Mocha Spoons The Pyramid pattern was designed in 1926 by Harold Nielsen. These beautiful spoons are small and dainty. Weighs approx 48...
Sterling Silver
Pampaloni 925 sterling silver table placeholder
Located in Perugia, IT
Pampaloni 925 sterling silver table placeholder Manufactured by Pampaloni - Florence - Italy 6 place cards + wooden box Overall weight placeholder g 77 Placeholder measurements mm ...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Sardine Fork & Spoon Serving Set #22641
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling Silver Sardine Fork & Spoon Serving Set - These vintage sterling silver sardine fork & spoon set features sculpted fish handles and whimsical design. Size: Fork approx. 5 ...
Sterling Silver
800 silver sugar bowl with dispenser
Located in Perugia, IT
800 silver sugar bowl with dispenser Diameter mm 55 Height mm 80 Weight g 81 Made in Padua - Italy - Handcrafted Peculiar sugar bowl with built-in dispenser, lid, hammered finish, p...
Sterling Silver
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Denmark Baby Spoon & Food Pusher #22657
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Denmark Baby Spoon & Food Pusher - This vintage Georg Jensen baby feeding set made in Denmark features a solid sterling spoon and matching food pusher. ...
Sterling Silver
Salt Pepper set and small snack container made of olive wood and silver 800
Located in Perugia, IT
Salt Pepper set and small snack container made of olive wood and 800 silver. Set consisting of 3 pieces. Total weight 195 g Size: Salt rack height mm 95 Pepper holder height mm 90 Sn...
Silver
Queen Mary Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Queen Mary Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 4.68in / 11.9cm Width 0.86in / 2.2cm Weight 8.1gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of ref...
Silver
Colombian Republic 1916 Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Colombian Republic 1916 Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 4.84in / 12.3cm Width 1.18in / 3cm Weight 16gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a large track record being official distributers of prime European jewelry...
Silver
Boston Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Boston Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 3.54in / 9cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 7.5gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewele...
Silver
Windsor Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Windsor Silver Teaspoon Length 4.40in / 11.2cm Width 0.90in / 2.3cm Weight 12.4gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of...
Silver
Disneyland Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Disneyland Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 4.40in / 11.2cm Width 0.98in / 2.5cm Weight 14.1gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run busin...
Silver
Inverness Collection Souvenir Silver Teaspoon with child in cross
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Inverness Silver Teaspoon Length 3.38in / 8.6cm Width 0.90in / 2.3cm Weight 10.3gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a l...
Silver
Las Vegas Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Las Vegas Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 4.29in / 10.9cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 9gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business je...
Silver
Antigua Collection Silver Teaspoon
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Antigua Collection Silver Teaspoon Length 3.70in / 9.4cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 12gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewe...
Silver
Montreal Canada Maple Leaf Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Montreal Canada Maple Leaf Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 3.58in / 9.1cm Width 0.70in / 1.8cm Weight 7.7gr PRADERA is a second g...
Silver
Lugano City Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Lugano City Collection Silver Teaspoon with Figurine Length 3.93in / 10cm Width 0.82in / 2.1cm Weight 9.4gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a large track record being official distributers of prime European jewelry...
Silver
$950 / set
H 0.48 in W 0.87 in L 5.83 in
Set of 6 Antique Richard Garten 800 Silver & Dresden Porcelain Dessert Spoons
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 6 antique silver & porcelain dessert (or possibly demitasse) spoons. By Richard Garten. In gilt 800 silver. With raised enamel jeweling to the Dresden porcelain han...
Silver
$1,800
H 0.5 in W 0.88 in L 4.13 in
Set of 12 Whiting Alhambra Sterling Silver Aesthetic Movement Demitasse Spoons
By Whiting
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine set of 12 engraved Aesthetic Movement demitasse spoons. By Whiting. In the Alhambra pattern. Each with gilt bowls that have varying Aesthetic Movement brite-cut engraved de...
Sterling Silver
Allan Adler Salad Servers
By Allan Adler
Located in Darnestown, MD
Modernist set of salad servers by Allan Adler in sterling and ebony. Streamlined and elegant. Spoon is 13" in length; fork is 12 7/8". Very good condition.
Sterling Silver
$185
W 0.62 in L 6 in
Set of 2 Tiffany & Co Faneuil Sterling Silver Cocktail Forks with Pouches #24539
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 2 Tiffany & Co Faneuil Sterling Silver Cocktail Forks with Pouches The Faneuil pattern was in production from 1910-1955 and was named for Faneuil Hall in Boston, MA. The ...
Sterling Silver
$395 / set
H 0.5 in W 1 in L 9 in
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver 4-Piece Place Setting in the Provence Pattern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine 4-piece place setting. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the Provence pattern. Comprising of: 1x New French Hollow Knife (9"") 1x Fo...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Asparagus Tongs, Grapevine Pattern
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Tiffany & Co. grapevine pattern sterling silver asparagus tongs. New York, c. 1907-1947. Reticulated in etched upper tong, monogrammed. 8" x 3", 6.45 troy ounces. Very neat servi...
Sterling Silver
Vintage Danish A.Michelsen Set Ice-cream 6 Spoons Enamel 925 Silver/ 42gr
Located in SE
Danish set of fine tea/ ice - cream spoons solid Gilt 925 grade Silver decorated with translucent Guilloche Enamels. Hand - made at the workshop of A. Michelsen, Copenhagen, DK. Ha...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$320Sale Price / set|20% Off
L 4.5 in
Marina J. One of A Kind Antique Sterling Silver and Baroque Pearl Spoons
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ultimate One of A Kind Antique Spoon set from Marina J. This set of six spoons features Vintage Sterling Silver and are all stamped on the bottom. Me...
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
$14,500 / set
Towle Sterling Silver Set 1970/ 63 Pieces
Located in Bernardsville, NJ
Number of pieces: 63 12 knives 11 dinner forks 12 salad forks 6 tablespoons 12 teaspoons 5 solid sterling serving pieces 5 sterling handle serving pieces Total Weight: 4268 grams (...
Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Floral Fork with VS Diamonds
Located in BADALONA, ES
Decorative fork crafted in sterling silver, featuring a sculptural floral motif set with nine natural VS diamonds. The handle is shaped with flowing organic lines, balancing function...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Antique Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Ornamental 41 Sugar Spoon
By Georg Jensen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Georg Jensen sugar spoon. In sterling silver. Model no. Ornamental 41 Designed by Georg Jensen. Simply a great sugar spoon!...
Sterling Silver
Rolex Vintage Spoon from Bucherer of Switzerland Souvenir Geneve Silver Plate
By Bucherer
Located in Dearborn, MI
Rolex Vintage Spoon from Bucherer of Switzerland Souvenir Geneve Silver Plate Genuine Vintage Rolex Souvenir Spoon From Bucherer of Switzerland In...
Silver Plate
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Denmark Salt Spoon #22659
By Georg Jensen
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Denmark Salt Spoon - This vintage Georg Jensen Denmark salt spoon features scroll and fan detailing made of solid sterling silver. Size: approx. 2.5" i...
Sterling Silver
Robert & Belk Sterling Silver Table Bell #22592
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Robert & Belk Sterling Silver Table Bell - This elegant Robert & Belk English sterling silver table bell features classic form with a polished finish and excellent tone. Size: 4.5 ...
Sterling Silver
Buccellati Parma Sterling Silver 10 3/4' Cake Pie Server
By Buccellati
Located in Baltimore, MD
Buccellati Parma Sterling Silver 10 3/4' Cake Pie Server Length: 10 3/4 inches long Weight: 3.55 ozt. Pattern: Parma Composition: .925 Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver
Contemporary Plain Sterling Silver Round Centerpiece
By Rosior
Located in Porto, PT
Rosior by Manuel Rosas Contemporary Centerpiece Manufactured in Plain Sterling Silver and with approximately 52 cm (20.47 in) of diameter. Un...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Paris Souvenir Collection Silver Teaspoon with enamel Tour Eiffel
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Paris Silver Teaspoon Length 4.29in / 10.9cm Width 0.78in / 2cm Weight 11gr PRADERA is a second generation of a family run business jewelers of reference in Spain, with a large tr...
Silver
21st Century, Champagne cover, Solid pure silver, Safari, Italy
By K-OVER
Located in Firenze, IT
This champagne cover belongs to our collection K-over Art. Indeed, this pure silver 999/°° K-OVER has been realized taking inspiration from the well-known movie “The Lion King”. The ...
Silver
Tuttle Richelieu Full Sterling Silver Flatware set
Located in Bethesda, MD
This stunningly beautiful sterling silver set is by Tuttle La Preference, which began in Boston. The Tuttle trademark is a Pine Tree Shilling- the first silver coin of the American ...
Sterling Silver