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.
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Platinum, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Quartz, Yellow Gold, Gold, 10k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Turquoise, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Black Pearl, Diamond, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, Onyx, Opal, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling S...
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, Onyx, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Spanish Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Black Pearl, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Jade, Multi-gemstone, Onyx, Opal, Pe...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Multi-gemstone, Onyx, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, Oriental P...
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Silver
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Malachite, Onyx, Quartz
1990s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Topaz, 18k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Pearl, Black Pearl, Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold, ...
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Aquamarine, Onyx, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Labradorite
1970s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Turquoise, Jasper, 18k Go...
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Turquoise, Coral, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yell...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Rubelite, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Peridot, Topaz, 18k Gold
Early 2000s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century German Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, 14k Gold, White Gold
Early 2000s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Onyx, Jasper, 18k Gold, Yellow ...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Quartz, Jasper, Vermeil
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, 14k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Onyx, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
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
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold