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, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Silver, Sterling Silver
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, 14k Gold, Yell...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Pink Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Garnet, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Tiger's Eye, Malachite, Hematite, Agate, Gold Plate, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amazonite, Rhodocrosite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Palladium, Gold, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s African Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Jade, Black Jade, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Natural Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Pearl, Silver, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Star Sapphire, 18k Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Topaz, Rhodolite, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Beryl, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Rhodium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Star Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Zircon, Blue Zircon, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Peridot, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold