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.
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s French Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Agate, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
1990s European Contemporary Jewelry
Base Metal
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s Canadian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s Chinese Contemporary Jewelry
Jade
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Tourmaline, Blue Sapphire, Purple Sapphire, Diamond, Sa...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tsavorite, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Jewelry
Amber, Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Iolite, Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
10k Gold, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Silver Plate
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Sapphire, Tsavorite, Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, Fire Opal...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tanzanite, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Turquoise, Black Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Garnet, Citrine, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 10k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Rhodium, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, 9k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Fire Opal, 14k Gold, White Gold