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.
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Colombian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Greek Contemporary Jewelry
22k Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s North American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Silver
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s German Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Jade, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Sterling Silver
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Citrine, Coral, Garnet, Lapis Lazuli, Multi-...
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
1970s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, White Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Sterling Silver, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Silver Plate, Mixed Metal
Late 20th Century North American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Enamel
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Sterling Silver
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century German Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Platinum
1990s Central American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Stainless Steel
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Yellow Gold, Enamel
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Chalcedony, Diamond, White Gold
1970s Australian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Alexandrite, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1960s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold