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 American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 14k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Rhodolite, Amethyst, Citrine, Blue Topaz, Tsavorite, 18k ...
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, 22k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
21st Century and Contemporary English Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Gold, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Brown Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Morganite, Pearl, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1970s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Early 1900s French Antique Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
2010s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Star Sapphire, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Zircon, Blue Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Apatite, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
1970s European Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold