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, Opal, Black Diamond, Vermeil, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Morganite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, Vermeil, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Citrine, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Tsavorite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
10k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Peridot, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Morganite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Silver, 14k Gold, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Labradorite, Multi-gemstone, Opal, Quartz, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Morganite, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 22k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Topaz, Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Black Pearl, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Pink Sapphire, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Black Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 22k Gold, Silver