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.
$5,070
Diamond Pink Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in 18kt pink gold set with 20 baguette cut diamonds 0.29 cts and 48 diamonds 0.25 cts Size 52
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$5,720
Diamond Pink Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in 18kt pink gold set with 10 baguette cut diamonds 0.33 cts and 54 diamonds 0.34 cts Size 52
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Diamond and White Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in 18kt white gold set with 5 baguette cut diamonds 0.15 cts and 68 diamonds 0.40 cts Size 51
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Princess Pink Gold Ring
Located in Geneva, CH
Ring in 18kt pink gold set with 12 baguette and princess cut diamonds 0.54 cts and 24 diamonds 0.09 cts Size 53 Total weight: 3.92 grams
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Round Diamond Ring 0.66 Carats in 14K White Gold with Shared Prongs
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
14K white gold single shared prong diamond band with 22 round diamonds weighing a total of 0.66 carats. Finger size is 6 and can be sized up or down by up to 2 sizes. Diamonds are...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.65 Carat Lattice Diamond Ring in 18K White Gold by Tamir, Merkaba Jewelry
By Tamir
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This 0.65 carat lattice diamond ring is a refined example of intricate fine jewelry design, handcrafted in 18K white gold by Tamir for Merkaba Be...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tacori 106-5W 5mm Width Men's Wedding Band 18K White Gold High Polish & Beading
By Tacori
Located in Old Tappan, NJ
Tacori 106-5W men's wedding band in 18K white gold and 5 millimeters in width. This ring has a high polish finish and is bordered by beaded rows near the outer edges. Only for your ...
18k Gold, White Gold
0.65 Carat Total Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Eternity Wedding Band in White Gold
Located in New York, NY
A stylish wedding band, showcasing 37 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 0.65 carat total with F color and VS-SI clarity, set on a shared prong setting. Accented by a braid on one...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
GIA Report Certified Diamond and Platinum Engagement Ring and Wedding Band
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
A stunning, fine and impressive contemporary 0.65 carat diamond and platinum solitaire and wedding band set; part of our diverse diamond jewellery and estate jewelry collections. This stunning, fine and impressive diamond engagement ring and band set has been crafted in platinum. The impressive solitaire engagement ring displays a central 0.50ct modern brilliant round cut diamond, set within a swirl design. The solitaire ring's plain tapering ring shoulders integrate with the main setting and blend seamlessly with the plain hallmarked ring shank. The stunning matching and paralleling wedding band/half eternity ring is embellished with fifteen pavé set modern brilliant round cut diamonds. The diamond ring is hallmarked to the interior of the shank with the maker's mark (LJ), the platinum mark 950 and the Birmingham assay office hallmark (anchor). The diamond wedding band is hallmarked to the interior of the shank with the maker's mark (RBD), with the platinum guarantee mark (orb), the platinum fineness mark 950, the Edinburgh assay office mark (castle) and the date letter for 2015 (q). This impressive platinum wedding band set...
Diamond, Platinum
Roman Malakov 2.45 Carats Total Round Brilliant Diamond Eternity Wedding Band
Located in New York, NY
A classy and simple eternity wedding band, showcasing one line of 20 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 2.45 carats total with G color and VS clarity, set on a French pavé four pr...
Diamond, Platinum
Roman Malakov 0.29 Carat Total Ten Stone Princess Cut Diamond Wedding Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
This classic wedding band ring showcases ten princess cut diamonds weighing 0.29 carats total. Mounted in a channel setting made in 18K White Gold. Size 6.5 US resize upon request. ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Roman Malakov 0.62 Carats Total Round Cut Diamond Halo Infinity Wedding Band
Located in New York, NY
A unique take on the classic diamond wedding band, featuring 0.62 carats total of round brilliant cut diamonds set in 18k white gold. Two lines of sparkling diamonds intertwine to sy...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Roman Malakov 1.01 Carat Total Round Diamond Three-Row Stacked Wedding Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
A fashionable wedding band, showcasing three stacked rings set half-way with round brilliant cut diamonds weighing 1.01 carats total with F color and VS clarity. Set on 14K tri-color...
Diamond, 14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Roman Malakov 1.21 Carats Total Round Diamond Five-Stone Wedding Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
A classic and brilliant five-stone wedding band showcasing five round diamonds weighing 1.21 carats total, set in an open-gallery mounting, Made with 18K White Gold Size 6.75 US. Res...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.50 Carat Natural Diamond Marquise Shape Ring Band G SI 14K White Gold
Located in New York, NY
0.50 Ct Natural Round Cut Diamond Marquise Shape Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Diamond Ring 0.50CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Prong set, ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.65 Ct Natural Round Cut Diamond Infinity Ring G SI 14K White Gold
Located in New York, NY
100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Diamond Ring 0.65CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Pave set, 2.8 grams 5/16 inch in width Size 7 21 diamonds R6942.03WD ALL OUR ITEMS AR...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Roman Malakov 1.48 Carats Total Round Cut Diamond & White Enamel Wedding Band
Located in New York, NY
Showcasing a beautiful and classy wedding band set with two rows of round brilliant diamonds weighing 1.48 carats total, G Color and VS in Clarity. Pave-set in-between two rows of wh...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, Enamel
Roman Malakov 1.53 Carat Round Diamond Two-Row Red Enamel Wedding Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
A fashionable and unique ring showcasing two rows of round brilliant diamonds, accented with two rows of red enamel. Diamonds weigh 1.53 carats total, G Color and VS in Clarity. Made...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1.55 Carat Natural Diamond Stretchable Eternity Band Ring G SI 14k White Gold
Located in New York, NY
1.55 Carat Natural Diamond Stretchable Eternity Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.55CT G-H SI ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
0.81 Carat Natural Diamond Princes Cut Ring Band G SI 14 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
0.81 Carat Natural Princess Cut Diamond Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Princess Cut Diamond Ring 0.81CT G-H SI 14K White Gold, Cha...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
1.55 Carat Natural Diamond Stretchable Eternity Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold
Located in New York, NY
1.55 Carat Natural Diamond Stretchable Eternity Band Ring G SI 14K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Round Cut Diamond Ring 1.55CT G-H SI ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
4.30 Carat Natural 2-Row Diamond Eternity Ring Band G SI 18 Karat White Gold
Located in New York, NY
4.30 Ct Natural Round Cut Diamond Eternity 2 Row Ring Band G SI 18K White Gold 100% Natural Diamonds, Not Enhanced in any way Diamond Band 4.30CTW Color G-H Clari...
Diamond, White Gold
White Diamond and White Gold Engagement Ring
Located in Hong Kong, HK
A beautifully set cluster of White Diamonds weighing a total of 0.87 carat, this ring looks like a stunner for a very minimal price! The diamonds are set in a very precise manner, kn...
White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1.95 Carat Round Ruby Eternity Wedding Band in 18 Karat Rose Gold
Located in New York, NY
A color-rich wedding band showcasing a row of rubies set in a polished 18k rose gold mounting. Rubies weigh 1.95 carats total. Can be used as a right hand or fashion ring as well. Si...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
1.15 Carat Round Diamond Eternity Wedding Band in 18 Karat Rose Gold
Located in New York, NY
A classic eternity wedding band showcasing a row of round brilliant diamonds, set in polished 18k rose gold. Diamonds weigh 1.15 carats total. Size 5.5 US. 0.15 cm width.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold