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Ella Gafter

Even before Ella Gafter founded her namesake jewelry collection in 1982, she was a formidable presence in the jewelry industry.

As a Rome-based gem dealer, Gafter sold pearls and precious stones to retailers and jewelers but was often dissatisfied with how they made use of the rare materials she worked so hard to source. Instead of grousing, she decided to design jewels that would do them justice, focusing primarily on pearls — akoya, Tahitian and South Sea. She explains her fascination with the lustrous marine treasures simply: “Every woman looks better with pearls than without.”

Her daughter Talila Gafter, then an undergrad at Harvard, was her ally in getting the project off the ground. Together, they made the rounds to stores with Ella’s first efforts. “We had a little pouch with eight pieces and we sold everything,” Talila tells 1stDibs. After graduation, she “was involved one hundred percent” in building the company, whose pieces are handmade by master jewelers in Naples.

The designer insists that her unwavering focus is the source of her success. “There’s no compromising for me,” she says. She’s been known to replace the pearls in a single piece time after time until she’s certain she’s achieved her ideal result. “A pearl you have to respect,” she explains. “You have to put it where it wants to sit.”

Ella describes the collaboration with her daughter as a “partnership,” with each having her own domain. “I’m all fantasy; Talila is the concrete one,” she says. The company is now based in New York City, with Talila as its president while Ella is firmly at the helm of creative decisions. “I’ve never made a design suggestion to Ella,” says Talila. “Nobody does.”

That forbearance has been earned, says Talila. “I admire that Ella doesn’t take no for an answer, her tenacity, her extraordinary ambition. She believes as long as there is life, there is a lot of beauty to create. She’s a force of nature.”

Find Ella Gafter earrings, rings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$8,345
Styles
10/9.5mm Triple Pearl Necklace Spaced Design by Ella Gafter
10/9.5mm Triple Pearl Necklace Spaced Design by Ella Gafter

10/9.5mm Triple Pearl Necklace Spaced Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The triple pearl necklace set consists of 4 original length strands (16” each) of Japanese pearls of splendid nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The pearls are homogeneous and measure 1...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Aquarius Zodiac Cocktail Ring Diamonds Design by Ella Gafter
Aquarius Zodiac Cocktail Ring Diamonds Design by Ella Gafter

Aquarius Zodiac Cocktail Ring Diamonds Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The Aquarius zodiac ring features a jug from which flows a stream of water. The ring is set with 1.50 carats of diamonds of top quality (F/G-VVS, color, clarity and cut). The ring is...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold

Snake Brooch Diamonds Coral Onyx "Basilisk" Design by Ella Gafter
Snake Brooch Diamonds Coral Onyx "Basilisk" Design by Ella Gafter

Snake Brooch Diamonds Coral Onyx "Basilisk" Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The snake brooch features a realistically detailed snake meticulously designed and crafted to coil around a coral branch. The snake’s body was sculpted from a single piece of 18 cara...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gol...

Emerald and Diamond Cuff Bracelet Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
Emerald and Diamond Cuff Bracelet Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter

Emerald and Diamond Cuff Bracelet Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The emerald and diamond cuff bracelet features 7 magnificent emerald cut emeralds of Zambian origin for a total of 23.63 carats. They show what may be called a perfect emerald color,...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold

Yellow Sapphire Diamond Choker Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
Yellow Sapphire Diamond Choker Necklace Design by Ella Gafter

Yellow Sapphire Diamond Choker Necklace Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The yellow sapphire and diamond necklace features 10 flowers set with faceted heart shaped sapphires of fiery color and crystalline texture for a total weight of 14.10 carats. The de...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

Blue Sapphire Diamond Necklace and Chandelier Earrings Set Design by Ella Gafter
Blue Sapphire Diamond Necklace and Chandelier Earrings Set Design by Ella Gafter

Blue Sapphire Diamond Necklace and Chandelier Earrings Set Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The blue sapphire and diamond necklace and earrings set features a total of 174.55 carats of oval cut and drop shape faceted Ceylon sapphires of homogeneous splendid color and crysta...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Ella Gafter

Materials

White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold

South Sea Pearl Diamond Hoop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
South Sea Pearl Diamond Hoop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter

South Sea Pearl Diamond Hoop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

The South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings feature two 14 x 13 mm pearls of fine quality nacre, beautiful lustre, and lovely pearl-white color. The pearls are suspended from 2 hoo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

"The Dragon" Cuff Bracelet Objet d'Art Sculpture Design by Ella Gafter
"The Dragon" Cuff Bracelet Objet d'Art Sculpture Design by Ella Gafter

"The Dragon" Cuff Bracelet Objet d'Art Sculpture Design by Ella Gafter

By Ella Gafter

Located in New York, NY

“The Dragon” sculpture cuff bracelet is the result of a three-year collaboration between Ella Gafter and gran maestro Pasquale. It was executed in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter

Materials

Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Onyx, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White ...

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Ella Gafter Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$6,500Drop Earrings18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, White Diamond, Ruby, DiamondUnknown
2025$7,250Cocktail RingsDiamond, Ruby, White Diamond, White Gold, 18k GoldUnknown
2025$12,365Rope Necklaces, Multi-Strand Necklaces18k Gold, White Gold, White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, PearlUnknown
2025$10,700Brooches18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, South Sea Pearl, Yellow Diamond, Diamond, PearlUnknown
2025$9,350Brooches18k Gold, White Gold, White Diamond, Blue SapphireUnknown
2025$2,800Pendant Necklaces18k Gold, White Gold, White Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, PearlUnknown
2025$5,300Drop Earrings18k Gold, White Gold, Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, RubyUnknown
2025$25,000Bangles18k Gold, White Gold, White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, SapphireUnknown
2025$5,000Cocktail Rings18k Gold, White Gold, White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, OnyxUnknown
2025$4,000Drop Earrings18k Gold, White Gold, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, PearlUnknown
2025$3,526Clip-on Earrings, Stud Earrings18k Gold, White Gold, Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black PearlUnknown
$8,345
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$2,800-$25,000
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Ella Gafter jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Ella Gafter jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Ella Gafter jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Ella Gafter diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 650, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 670 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. Contemporary and Art Deco are among the most popular styles of Ella Gafter jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Ella Gafter jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,300 and tops out at $482,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $19,182.