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.
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Iolite, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Sterling Silver
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1950s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pakistani Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Jade, Peridot, Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
1980s European Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Jade, Black Jade, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
Early 2000s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Blue Sapphire, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Topaz, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Peridot, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, Moonstone, 22k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, 14k Gold, Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Tanzanite, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 24k Gold, Gold Plate, Y...
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold