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 European Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Austrian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Sterling Silver, Silver, Rhodium
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Other, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Ruby, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pink Diamond, Gold, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Alexandrite, Diamond, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Tsavorite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Topaz, Topaz, Sapphire, Ruby, Emerald, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold
20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Turquoise, 9k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amazonite, Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Early 2000s European Contemporary Jewelry
Other
Early 2000s European Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Peridot, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yell...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Garnet, Topaz, Rhodolite, 18k Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Other, Sterling Silver, Enamel, Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Onyx, Opal, Gold, 14k Gold