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 Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Black Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Labradorite, Pearl
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Tanzanite, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century European Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Dutch Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 14k Gold, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Hematite, Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Black Pearl, Pearl, Black Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Platinum
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Onyx, Yellow Gold, Gold-filled, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Black Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Black Opal, South Sea Pearl
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Tsavorite, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, South Sea Pearl
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver, Silver, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Rhodolite, Pearl, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Rainbow Moonstone, Tourmaline, Sapphire, Freshwater Pearl, Diam...
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Pearl, White Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Ruby, Opal, Diamond, Amethyst, Amber, Agate, Sterling ...
21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Black Pearl, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s English Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Sterling Silver