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
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Turquoise, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Yellow Gold, Enamel, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Spinel, Padparadscha Sapphire , 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Gold, Platinum, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, White Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Beryl, Beryl, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Diamond, Pink Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k G...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Amethyst, Citrine, Peridot, Blue Topaz, Rhodolite, 14k Gold, Yell...
1940s Russian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Aventurine, 18k Gold, Titanium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline
1990s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Aventurine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Aventurine, 18k Gold, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Palladium
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, White Gold, Silver, Titanium
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, Moonstone, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gol...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Morganite, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold