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.
1980s Greek Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
1990s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, 14k Gold
1970s French Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s European Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
20th Century Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century British Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Carnelian, 9k Gold, Silver, Pinchbeck
1940s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Carnelian, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Gold, 18k Gold, Silver
Late 20th Century Mexican Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Enamel
1960s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
Late 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Swiss Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Gold, Enamel
1970s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Unknown Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
1980s German Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Platinum
1980s Italian Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
1970s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
1980s American Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
Silver Plate