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
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Coral, Diamond, Gold, Enamel
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, Brass, Mixed Metal
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, White Gold, Silver, Silve...
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Black Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Turquoise, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold, Whit...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Other, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Citrine, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold