con·tem·po·rary | kən-ˈtem-pə-ˌrer-ē
adjective
A jewelry design that is relevant, based on the current trends
Undoubtedly, jewelry is one of the oldest forms of expression. Contemporary jewelry dates back only 50-60 years ago. The contemporary jewelry style is categorized as a combination of jewelry and art. However, unlike most jewelry styles, contemporary cannot be recognized for specific materials or characteristics as each piece is distinctive, where it is made from a wide range of metals and other materials. Specifically, rings that are considered “contemporary" often change very quickly as time progresses. Common factors that determine a ring's "contemporary" status include: metal type, stone type, stone cut, engraving, filigree, milgrain, shank, and prongs. Furthermore, contemporary jewellery is considered uncalculated, meaning each piece is created to reflect a different type of individual(s). In the general run of things, contemporary jewelers aim to tailor each piece to the specific time in which they would like it to represent. Therefore, contemporary jewelry is idosyricinic, illustrating the social attitudes and trends of its time.
