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 Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Topaz, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Quartz, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s African Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Topaz, Diamond, Pearl, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire
20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Tsavorite
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Belgian Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Diamond, Blue Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Star Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Purple Sapphire
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Other, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Topaz, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Gold, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold