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
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, Moonstone, 22k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 14k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Quartz, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 22k Gold, Silver
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 9k Gold, Enamel, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Chalcedony
2010s Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 22k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Tsavorite, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold