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 Scottish Contemporary Jewelry
Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Silver, Vermeil, Gold Plate, 24k Gold, 22...
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Green Sapphire
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, Rubelite, Tsavorite, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Mozambican Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Mozambican Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby
2010s Mozambican Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold