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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Garnet, Iolite, Jade, Onyx, Peridot, Rock Cr...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Rock Crystal, White Diamond, Diamond, Onyx, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Citrine, Iolite, Amethyst, Kunzite, Onyx, Peridot, 18k G...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Tourmaline, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Carnelian, Onyx, Quartz, Tiger's Eye, Jasper, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Onyx, Topaz, 18k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterli...
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century European Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Whit...
Early 2000s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Agate, Ste...
20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Onyx, Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Diamond, Onyx, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Agate, Amber, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Diamond, Yellow Dia...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Onyx, Tanzanite, White Gold, 18k Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Onyx, 14k Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx
