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
Tanzanite, Tourmaline, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Amethyst, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Kunzite, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Silver, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Sapphire, Garnet, Amethyst, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Citrine, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Fire Opal, Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Emerald, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Green Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Kunzite, Garnet, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, Citrine, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Peridot, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate