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 Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Tsavorite, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Citrine, Sterling Silver, Silver, Yellow Gold, Gold Plate, 14k...
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Kyanite, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Black Opal, Opal, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
Alexandrite, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Sterling Silver, Yellow Go...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Czech Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Rhodium
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Pink Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Mixed Metal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Turquoise, Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Rubelite, Tourmaline
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Other, Opal, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold