Art and jewelry exist within a much larger world of ideas, materials, craftsmanship and design. For artists, collectors and anyone curious about how objects are created, museums, craft organizations, educational resources and independent artists can provide valuable opportunities to discover new work and learn more about the creative process.
This page brings together selected resources related to contemporary jewelry, metalsmithing, art, craft and design. It is intended as a starting point for exploring organizations, institutions and independent artists working within these fields.
Contemporary jewelry combines traditional craft with an exceptionally broad range of materials, techniques and artistic ideas. Unlike conventional jewelry defined primarily by precious materials, contemporary jewelry may also explore sculpture, architecture, technology, alternative materials and the relationship between an object and the body.
Organizations devoted to metalsmithing and contemporary jewelry can be valuable resources for discovering artists, exhibitions, educational programs and developments within the field.
The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) supports artists, metalsmiths, designers, educators and students working in jewelry and metal. Its programs and resources provide opportunities to discover contemporary work and learn more about the field.
Understanding jewelry also means understanding the materials and techniques used to create it. Precious metals, gemstones, alloys, surface treatments and traditional metalsmithing processes all contribute to the appearance and character of a finished piece.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is an important educational and research organization in the field of gemology. Its educational resources provide extensive information about diamonds, colored gemstones, pearls and gem identification.
Visit the Gemological Institute of America →
You can also explore our own Gemstone Guide, Precious Metal Guide and Jewelry & Precious Metal Glossary for information about materials used in jewelry.
Contemporary jewelry often shares ideas with sculpture, architecture and other areas of visual art. Museums provide an opportunity to experience these relationships directly and to see how artists across different disciplines approach form, material, structure, surface and space.
Our Modern & Contemporary Art Museums guide introduces museums across the United States with significant collections and exhibitions of modern and contemporary art.
The American studio craft movement helped establish jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood and fiber as fields in which artists could explore materials and craftsmanship as forms of artistic expression.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum explores American visual culture across a wide range of periods and media. Its collections and educational resources provide broader context for understanding American art, craft and artistic movements.
Independent artists and studios are an important part of the art and craft community. The artists and studios below represent a range of approaches to jewelry, drawing, painting and mixed-media art.
Naples-based Art2D Gallery & Studio features the work of artist Timothy Parker, including original paintings and contemporary artwork in a variety of styles and subject matter.
British-born jewelry designer Samantha Freeman creates distinctive wearable jewelry influenced by travel, culture and the visual experiences she has encountered around the world.
Bob and Patti Stern create one-of-a-kind artwork using antique and vintage objects, transforming architectural and found materials into decorative pieces with a new purpose.
Nyeari Jewelry Design creates handcrafted jewelry through a collaborative design process. Their work combines careful engineering with ideas drawn from history, discovery and transformation.
David Bjurstrom creates highly detailed graphite pencil drawings using light, shadow and contrast to define form. His subjects range from landscapes and animals to people and still lifes.
E. Douglas Wunder creates contemporary jewelry using titanium and mixed metals. His layered constructions combine geometric and organic influences and are assembled using techniques including texturing, riveting and cold connections.
Oliver Hampel's contemporary jewelry is influenced by nature, organic forms, architecture and structural patterns. These sources are translated into sculptural forms, surfaces and details rather than reproduced literally.
His work combines traditional metalsmithing with contemporary processes and materials including sterling silver, 18K gold, gemstones, pearls and nylon.
Learn more about Oliver and the ideas behind his work on Meet Oliver Hampel, or explore how jewelry developed as a form of personal and artistic expression in The Art & History of Jewelry.
