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.
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Quartz, Topaz, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Chrome Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Rubelite, Sapphire, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Opal, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Chalcedony, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, White Diamond, Pearl, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 22k Gold, Vermeil, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Diamond, Pearl, White Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Coral, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Apatite, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Spinel, Black Spinel, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Opal, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Larimar, Diamond, 14k Gold