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.
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysoberyl, 18k Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Purple Sapphire, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Silver Plate
Mid-20th Century Sri Lankan Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Chalcedony, Citrine, Malachite, Gold, 14k Gold
1950s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Gold Plate, Silver
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Silver
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, 14k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Other
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Other
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Late 20th Century Colombian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold
1950s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Enamel
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Amethyst, Garnet, Peridot, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow ...
1980s Thai Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Garnet, Topaz, Rhodolite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold