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 Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, 24k Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 22k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Aquamarine, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Beryl, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Rubelite, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphir...
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amazonite, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Blue Sapphire, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Dutch Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Kyanite, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Silver
2010s African Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Sterling Silver, Platinum
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
20th Century Mexican Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Labradorite, Moonstone, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold