Contemporary Jewelry

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

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.

Creator: Christina Addison

Style: Contemporary

Gold Marquise Double Link Necklace

Contemporary Jewelry

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Gold Marquise Double Link Necklace

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium GUM DROP™ Ring with Pink Topaz and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Large Diamond Drop Earrings with Diamond Ball

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Large GUM DROP™ Earrings with Pink Topaz and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Large Gum Drop Earrings with Cabochon Turquoise and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Grande Gum Drop Earrings with Cabochon Turquoise and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Custom Platinum Gum Drop Ring with Morganite and Rock Crystal and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

18 Karat Yellow Gold Large Sand Dollar Earring with Amethyst and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Ring with Morganite and Rose De France Amethyst and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Small Gum Drop Ring with Pink Topaz and Peridot and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Mini Three-Stone Rope Twist Ring with Green Amethyst and Citrine

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Iolite and Blue Topaz and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Citrine and Blue Topaz and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Blue Topaz Green Garnet Gold Cigar Band Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Pearls and Pink Topaz and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Yellow Gold Semi Precious Mini Emerald Cut Ring with Pink Topaz and Peridot

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Yellow Gold and Onyx Link Bracelet

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Iolite Amethyst and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Elegant Three-Stone Amethyst Ring with Gold Rope Twist Border

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Peridot, Iolite and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Blue Topaz, Peridot and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Bonheur Ring, Green Amethyst, Amethyst and Blue Topaz Yellow Gold Domed Ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

18 Karat Gold and Malachite Link Bracelet

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Yellow Gold Mini Emerald Cut Ring with Blue Topaz and Pink Topaz

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Pearls and Peridot and Four Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Iolite and Amethyst and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Earrings with Iolite and Blue Topaz and Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Elegant Three Stone Garnet Pink Topaz Ring with Gold Rope Twist Border

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Rubelite Amethyst Diamond Gold Drop Earring

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Large Gum Drop Earrings with Iolite, Turquoise and Diamonds Clip or Pierced

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Blue Topaz Iolite Diamond Gold Mini Pebble Earrings

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Citrine Diamond Gold Wide band ring

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Multi Color Pebble Gold Earring

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Mini Three-Stone Amethyst Ring and Pink Topaz with Rose Gold Rope Twist Border

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Medium Gum Drop Ring with Blue Topaz and Peridot Diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Rock Crystal Gold Rope Twist Border Earrings - medium size

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

Large 18kt Yellow gold Faceted Cushion Cut dome ring with diamonds

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

2-Strand Briolette Necklace with Blue Topaz, Peridot and Amethyst

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry

White Cultured Pearl Necklace with Gold Clasp

21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry