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.
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small face bowl in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small face bowl in 925 sterling silver ERE Collection Measurements 8 x 7 x 0.8 cm Weight 23 g Reference ERE10 Small bowl - saucer part of a collection called ...
Sterling Silver
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small heart bowl in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small heart bowl in 925 sterling silver ERE Collection Measurements 7 x 7 x 0.8 cm 20 g weight Reference ERE09 Small bowl - saucer part of a collection called...
Sterling Silver
De Vecchi Milano 1935 sterling silver 925 bowl and flower holder
Located in Perugia, IT
De Vecchi Milano 1935 sterling silver 925 bowl and flower holder Measurements 16 x 13 x 4.5h cm Weight 310 g Reference DT72 Dual-purpose object; bowl or flower holder. The shape is...
Sterling Silver
De Vecchi Milano 1935 Quadro small bowl in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
De Vecchi Milano 1935 Quadro small bowl in 925 sterling silver ERE Collection Measurements 6.5 x 6.5 x 0.8 cm Weight 25 g Reference ERE10 Small bowl - saucer part of a collection c...
Sterling Silver
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small Nuvola bowl in 925 sterling silver
Located in Perugia, IT
De Vecchi Milano 1935 small Nuvola bowl in 925 sterling silver ERE Collection Measurements 10 x 6 x 0.8 cm 20 g weight Reference ERE13 Small bowl - saucer part of a collection call...
Sterling Silver
Gucci Sterling Silver Baby Cup (A)
By Gucci
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Vintage Gucci sterling silver baby cup. No monogram From the Tom Ford Era at Gucci, circa 1990's, this baby cup is engraved with "GUCCI BAB...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Nut Candy Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 4.50 inches Weight: 121.25 grams Silver Candy Bowl. The metal was tested and d...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Heart Shaped Leaf Bowl or Vide Poche
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine silver bowl or vide poche. By Tiffany & Co. In sterling silver. In the form of a leaf reminiscent of a heart. Marked to the base for Tiffany & Co. / Maker's / Sterling. S...
Sterling Silver
Buccellati Silver Double Handle Bowl
By Buccellati
Located in New York, NY
Buccellati silver double handle bowl, circa 1900s A magnificent work of handmade sterling silver bowl, featuring double handles and flowers motif; marked Buccellati, Made in Italy, ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$2,493
H 3.5 in W 9.25 in
Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Tomato/Pumpkin Vine Pattern Salad Bowl 9.25" #16806
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver salad bowl in the Tomato or Pumpkin Vine pattern by Tiffany & Co. Designed by Olad Wilford in the Art Deco fashion for the NY World's Fair, featured in Tiffany's dis...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Revere Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Diameter: 7.50 inches Height: 4.25 mm Weight: 429.69 grams Tiffany & Co. 925 sterling silver revere bowl 7.5". The ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$1,250
H 2.5 in W 3.6 in L 4.75 in
Tiffany Hampton Bowl, 18389, American Sterling Silver + Forks & Spoons
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Tiffany & Co Hampton Bowl - 18389 - American Sterling Silver Artesian Sterling Silver 2 Forks & 8 Spoons worked with Natural Color Stones Art Deco sterling silver bowl. ...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Pierced Oval Serving Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Gender: Unisex Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Length: 6.25 inches Width: 4.25 mm Weight: 132.98 grams Silver vintage oval pierced bowl. The metal was ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$687
H 3.25 in W 2.33 in D 0.5 in
Set of 6 Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Small Heart Apple Shaped Dishes
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Set of 6 Tiffany & Co sterling silver small heart/apple shaped dishes. Six small dishes in the shape of an apple or heart with openwork scroll leaf and 1 ball foot underneath. Does ...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. 925 Sterling Silver Curved Nut Candy Dish
Located in Houston, TX
Brand: Tiffany & Co. Metal Type: 925 Sterling Silver Length: 5.25 inches Width: 3.25 inches Weight: 87.76 grams Silver waved dish. The metal was tested and determined to be ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Paula Wyman Art & Crafts Hand-Hammered Sterling Silver Bowl
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine hand-hammered Arts & Crafts footed dish or bowl. With a lobed-hand-hammered bowl mounted on a shaped foot. In sterling silver. Made by the American female silversmith Pa...
Sterling Silver
Antique Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Footed Oval Melon Bowl
Located in University Place, WA
A rare and beautifully crafted antique sterling silver oval bowl by Tiffany & Co., dating to the early 20th century. The piece is realized in the form of a stylized melon or pod,...
Sterling Silver
800 silver caviar tableware box
Located in Perugia, IT
800 silver caviar tableware box Length 12 cm Width cm 8.5 Height cm 4 Weight g 143 Original box - bowl in the shape of a fish container. Ideal for presenting caviar at the table or...
Silver