Contemporary Earrings
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 Earrings
Citrine, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Amethyst, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Aquamarine, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Blue Topaz, Pink Sapphire, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
18k Gold, Sterling Silver, Rhodium
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Emerald, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Pearl, Amethyst, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Blue Topaz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Topaz, Citrine, Ruby, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s European Contemporary Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Earrings
Other, Silver, Sterling Silver, Gold Plate, Rose Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Sterling Silver, Platinum, Rhodium
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, Topaz, Rock Crystal, Sterling Silver, Platinum, Rhodium
2010s European Contemporary Earrings
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Gold Plate, Yellow Gold
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Opal, Yellow Gold
2010s European Contemporary Earrings
15th Century and Earlier British Antique Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, Gold Plate, Yellow Gold, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Earrings
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Rhodium, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Rainbow Moonstone, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Kyanite, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Quartz, Agate, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Lapis Lazuli, Platinum, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century American Contemporary Earrings
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, 24k Gold, Gold-filled, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s Indian Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Earrings
Black Diamond, Sterling Silver, Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Citrine, Quartz, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Diamond, Emerald, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Earrings
Onyx, Sterling Silver, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Chalcedony, Other, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Zircon, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Crystal, Gold Plate
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Amazonite, Blue Topaz, Sterling Silver, 18k Gold, Vermeil
2010s French Contemporary Earrings
Other
2010s British Contemporary Earrings
Other, Rhodium, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s Contemporary Earrings
Gold Plate, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary British Contemporary Earrings
Pearl, Silver, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary American Contemporary Earrings
Sapphire, Silver, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Other, 18k Gold, Rhodium, Sterling Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Earrings
Coral, Brass
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Other, Chrysocolla, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Earrings
Kyanite, 18k Gold, Vermeil, Sterling Silver
Late 20th Century American Contemporary Earrings
Gold Plate