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.
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Star Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Yellow Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 22k Gold, Silver
1990s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Citrine, Tourmaline, 18k Gold
1990s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
1990s Japanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s German Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Mexican Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Sterling Silver
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
1980s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
1980s Thai Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Rubelite, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Onyx, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Carnelian, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold