A widely respected postwar British-Italian jewelry designer, Andrew Grima is often regarded as the father of modern jewelry. Grima was entirely self-taught and unafraid to take bold risks. His pioneering designs of the 1960s — set with amethysts, emeralds and other vibrantly colored stones — included cocktail rings, pendant necklaces and clip-on earrings in sculptural and eye-catching styles that sharply contrasted with the adornments of the era.
Grima was born in Rome in 1921, but he grew up in London. Though he came from an artistic family, he initially studied mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham and served in the Royal Engineers during World War II. Upon returning from the war, in 1946, Grima joined his father-in-law's London jewelry business. He started as an accountant but quickly began experimenting with jewelry design.
By the mid-1960s, Grima's innovative techniques and abstract designs had catapulted him to fame, and his creations were in high demand. He opened his own exclusive gallery in London's West End, which featured an opulent spiral staircase. Candy-colored gems had captivated magazine editors and jewelry lovers everywhere, and Grima's prestigious clientele included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, artist Barbara Hepworth and the British Royal family. In the 1970s, Grima also expanded into watchmaking, creating the "About Time" collection for Omega and a line of gold watches for Pulsar.
Grima received numerous awards over his career for his contributions to jewelry design. He was the winner of the De Beers Diamonds International Award a record number of 11 times and he was the only jeweler to win the Duke of Edinburgh Prize for Elegant Design. Today, his high-profile collectors include the likes of Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs, and his work is held in the collections of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Grima passed away in 2007, but his wife and his daughter carried on his legacy. Every year, they enlist a team of specially selected goldsmiths to produce a small collection of original jewelry in his unique style.
Today's designers and collectors recognize the importance of Grima's work and its impact on the jewelry industry. In 2018, New York jewelry dealer Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos featured Grima's groundbreaking designs in her "London Originals: The Jeweler’s Art in Radical Times" exhibit.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Andrew Grima rings, brooches and earrings.
ANDREW GRIMA 18KT Gold Opal Earrings
By Andrew Grima
Located in Braintree, GB
Andrew Grima 18KT Gold Opal Earrings Made in 1990's, London. Design Overview: These earrings, crafted by Andrew Grima, are a sophisticated example of mid-20th-century modernist jewe...
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
Diamond & Emerald Empress Earrings in 18kt Gold
By Estaa
Located in Mumbai, IN
The Diamond and Emerald Empress Earrings are a statement of grandeur and timeless luxury. Crafted from 18KT gold 35.316 gms and weighing 71.060gm, th...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Gold
18kt Gold Dangle Earrings Handmade
Located in New York, NY
Hand Made Dangle Earrings Measurements: 1.75 X 1.4 Inch Comfortable Loop Clip 5.8 grams / 18kt. Yellow Gold Earrings are gorgeous made
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Andrew Clunn 18kt Gold Clip Earrings Watermelon Classic
By Andrew Clunn
Located in New York, NY
Designer Andrew Clunn Watermelon Textured Clip Earrings Measurements: 26 x 20mm Depth: 13mm Comfortable Omega Clip 30 grams / 18kt. Yellow Gold Earrings are gorgeous made
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
18kt Yellow gold Turquoise and Coral Earrings
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Set into 18kt yellow gold are 2 highly polished pinkish coral cabochons, 2 highly polished red coral cabochons, and 2 highly polished blue turquoise cabochons. This pair of earrings ...
Coral, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
$8,925Sale Price / set|30% Off
W 1.42 in L 2.16 in
Andrew Clunn Convertible Doorknockers Earrings In 18Kt Gold With Tiger Eye
By Andrew Clunn
Located in Miami, FL
Doorknocker convertible earrings designed by Andrew Clunn. Gorgeous pair of convertible doorknockers earrings, created in New York city at the jewelry atelier of Andrew Clunn. These...
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Aquamarine, Opalized Wood, 18kt Gold Earrings by Lauren Harper
By Lauren Harper
Located in Winnetka, IL
Designed by award winning jewelry designer, Lauren Harper, these fossilized opalized wood and aquamarine earrings are a one of a kind. Set in a warm 18kt...
Aquamarine, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold
$2,625Sale Price / set|30% Off
H 1.42 in W 0.67 in D 0.24 in
VICTORIAN 1890 Dangle Earrings In 18Kt Yellow Gold Precious-Opals & Diamonds
Located in Miami, FL
Victorian dangle earrings with a precious opals. This is a beautiful pair of antique dangle earrings created in England during the late Victorian period, between the 1880 and 1890. ...
Diamond, Black Opal, White Diamond, Opal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Rainbow Moonstone 18kt Gold Earrings by Lauren Harper
By Lauren Harper
Located in Winnetka, IL
Designed by award winning jewelry designer, Lauren Harper, these 18kt Gold faceted Rainbow Moonstones are luminescent and lively, picking up the light and colors around them. Sophis...
Moonstone, Rainbow Moonstone, 18k Gold, Gold
18kt Gold Earrings
Located in Capri, IT
18kt Gold semicircle Earrings
18k Gold
$5,900
W 0.79 in L 2.37 in
Opalized Wood, Rainbow Moonstone, Sapphire, 18kt Gold Earrings by Lauren Harper
By Lauren Harper
Located in Winnetka, IL
Designed by award winning jewelry designer Lauren Harper, these Rainbow Moonstone, White Sapphire and Petrified Opalized Wood earrings are simpl...
Opal, Rainbow Moonstone, Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold
Edwardian French 18kt Opal + Diamond Dangle Earrings
Located in Narberth, PA
An incredible pair of earrings from the Edwardian (ca1900s) era! Crafted in 18kt yellow gold, these earrings begin with a beautiful opal cabochon surmount. The opal rests within a belcher setting and is topped by a glinting bezel-set Rose Cut diamond. A larger Rose Cut diamond dangles below, carrying a beautiful Pear Shaped opal cabochon. A golden cap decorates the top of each Pear Cabochon as each gorgeous opal is held within a pronged open-back setting, adorned by 17 Rose Cut diamonds. The opals emit a gentle rainbow of red, yellow, green, and blue flashes as they catch the light, swinging with lovely motion. The earrings are secured by a golden ear...
Diamond, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
HARAKH 18KT Yellow Gold Sunlight Huggie Earring
By Harakh
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by the journey of the sun’s rays traveling through space and time to brighten our world, these Huggie Earrings crafted in 18KT Yellow gold. An artisanal form of embroidery k...
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold