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 German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium, Steel, Titanium
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Titanium, Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Onyx, Pearl, Agate, Topaz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Steel, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Enamel, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Onyx, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s German Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Black Pearl, Bronze
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Jasper, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Tourmaline, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Enamel, Sterling Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Black Pearl, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Diamond, Spinel, Black Spinel, Onyx, Gold,...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Malachite, Onyx, Ruby, Tiger's Eye, Turquoise, Agate, Carnelian, Lapis L...
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Onyx, Turquoise, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Topaz, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose ...
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Jasper, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Ruby, Sapphire, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, White Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Onyx, Platinum, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver