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.
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, 18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Sterling Silver
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Brass
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Carnelian, Citrine, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium, Palladium, Gold Plate, ...
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Morganite, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Tiger's Eye, Malachite, Hematite, Agate, Gold Plate, 14k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
22k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, Agate, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White...
1990s Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Silver Plate
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Beryl, Diamond, Quartz, Sapphire, Green Beryl, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold,...
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Spinel, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 1...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Colombian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald