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 Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Zircon, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Crystal, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
2010s English Contemporary Jewelry
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Tanzanite, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysophrase, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Jewelry
Jade, Gold Plate, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Jewelry
Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Citrine, 9k Gold, White Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Danish Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Opal, Ruby, Gold Plate
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Ruby, Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Multi-gemstone, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Citrine, 24k Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chrysophrase, Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Gold-filled
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Black Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Silver, Sterling Silver, Br...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Brass, Bronze
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 10k Gold, Gold Plate, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Iolite, Tourmaline, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold
2010s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 14k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Tanzanite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Quartz, Topaz, Blue Topaz, Gold, Rose Gold, 14k Gold