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.
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s North American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Blue Topaz, Topaz, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 22k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Mixed Metal
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Rubelite, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Zambian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Spinel, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Vermeil
20th Century Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Platinum, White Gold, Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Sapphire
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Peridot, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
2010s Spanish Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, 24k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 14k Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
14k Gold, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, White Gold, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Vermeil
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Peridot, Quartz, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Jewelry
Silver
20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Topaz, Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, Garnet, Peridot, Sterling Silver
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver





