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.
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 15k Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Mexican Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century North American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Rhodolite, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
White Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Druzy, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Steel, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, White Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
1950s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
1960s European Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Late 20th Century Asian Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel, Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold