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
Citrine, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Gold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Gold, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Platinum
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Go...
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Crystal, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 22k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Labradorite, Gold, 24k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, 22k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Star Sapphire, Black Star, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
White Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Sterling Silver
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Aquamarine, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold