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
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Rose Gold
Late 20th Century French Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Brown Diamond, Pink Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 22k G...
21st Century and Contemporary Polish Contemporary Jewelry
Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Sapphire, Green Sapphire, Green Beryl, Tourmaline, Quartz, Garnet, Diamo...
2010s African Contemporary Jewelry
Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Platinum, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Thai Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Diamond, Rose Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, White Diamond, Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Amethyst, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1990s Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1980s Vintage Contemporary Jewelry
White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Taiwanese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pink Sapphire, Gold, 14k Gold, White Gold
Late 20th Century Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Tanzanite, Purple Sapphire, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Emer...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Balinese Contemporary Jewelry
Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Zircon, Zircon, Pink Sapphire, Sapphire, Diamond, White Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Mandarin Garnet, Multi-gemstone, Garnet, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinu...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Imperial Topaz, Topaz, Multi-gemstone, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum,...
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Tourmaline, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Moonstone, Gold, 18k Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Aquamarine, Diamond, White Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Platinum
2010s British Contemporary Jewelry
Base Metal
2010s Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Platinum
2010s Indian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century Unknown Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Apatite, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold, Gold
Early 20th Century American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary German Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Paraiba, Spinel, Green Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Blue Sapphir...
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Jewelry
18k Gold, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Jewelry
Tourmaline, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Black Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Jewelry
Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold
1990s Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Jewelry
Diamond, Opal, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Silver, Sterling Silver
1990s Portuguese Contemporary Jewelry
Ruby, Emerald, Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold