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 American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, 14k Gold
2010s Hong Kong Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Sapphire, Tanzanite, Topaz, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary North American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Aquamarine, White Gold, 18k Gold
Early 2000s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Spinel, Pink Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Tourmaline, Indicolite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Tsavorite, Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Indicolite, Pink Diamond, Tourmaline, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Tourmaline, Indicolite, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Greek Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Moonstone, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Chalcedony, White Diamond, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Sapphire, 14k Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Lebanese Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s English Contemporary Jewelry
Quartz, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Garnet, Sapphire, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Coral, White Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Yellow Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Ruby, Platinum
Mid-20th Century North American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, Kyanite, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Peridot, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Tanzanian Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
2010s African Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Zircon, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Silver