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 Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Green Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire,...
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Enamel
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Purple Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Yellow Gold, ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
2010s Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary English Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Wh...
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Mexican Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 22k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s Brazilian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Silver