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 Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Tsavorite, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Rhodium, Silver, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterl...
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Palladium, Gold, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Morganite, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Labradorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Sri Lankan Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Morganite, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Zircon, Fire Opal, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century North American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, White Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Enamel, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
20th Century Colombian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Rhodium, Sterling Silver, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Bronze
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, 9k Gold, Enamel