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.
Blue Sapphire Diamond Pearl Bracelet Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire bracelet features a splendid, untreated, 16mm South Sea pearl flanked by a geometric design set with round diamonds and custom cut tapered baguette sapphires. The b...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire,...
Blue Sapphire Sleek Diamond Tennis Bracelet in 18K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Blue Sapphire and Diamond bracelet in 18K Gold. It has a perfect square cut gemstone to make you stand out on any occasion or an event. A tennis bracelet is an essential piece of jew...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sapphire Pearl Turquoise Diamond Gold Art Deco Slide Bracelet
Located in Stamford, CT
Unique and beautifully crafted 1930’s Original Art Deco 14k yellow gold slide 7 inch bracelet. 4mm genuine old cut sapphire with 6 pearls, 2mm natural...
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Turquoise, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
$11,680Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.39 in L 7 in
18K Yellow Gold Floral Blue Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet or talisman to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. This blue sapphire bracelet has a oval cut gemstone arranged in floral shap...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$48,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.62 in L 7.25 in
18K Yellow Gold Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire Diamond Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet or talisman to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. This multi gemstone bracelet has a square cut gemstone and diamonds in 18K ...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Blue Sapphire, Opal & Diamond Bracelet, 18K Gold, Austy Lee
By Austy Lee
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This unique and stylish bracelet features Natural Sri-lankan Blue Sapphires, Australian Boulder Opals and Diamonds, set on blue-color plated 18K White Gold. This bracelet is designed...
Diamond, Opal, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Rhodium
Diamonds, Sapphires, Tsavorites, Stones, Pearl Gold Silver Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Fabulous retrò link bracelet realized in 9K rose gold and silver structure and mounted with 5 onyx disks (18 mm X 13 mm) embellished with 5 colorated stones flowers (black, pink, whi...
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Tsavorite, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Diamond and Blue Sapphire Bracelet in Platinum
By MOGULDIAM INC
Located in New York, NY
Moguldiam Inc's diamond and blue sapphire bracelet is one of a kind handmade bracelet in platinum. Diamond weight : 3 carat Blue s...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
White Diamonds, Blue Sapphires, Rubies White and Yellow Gold Link Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Unique and refine handmade retrò link bracelet realized in 18K white and yellow gold structure, mounted with a particular design adorned with 1.61 ct of white diamonds lines, diamond...
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Topaz, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow ...
Diamond and Blue Sapphire Bracelet in Platinum
By MOGULDIAM INC
Located in New York, NY
Moguldiam Inc's diamond and blue sapphire bracelet is one of a kind handmade bracelet in platinum. Diamond weight : 3 carat Blue s...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Platinum
Blue Sapphire Wedding Bracelet with Halo Diamonds in 18K White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Blue Sapphire and Diamond bracelet in 18K Gold. It has a perfect round cut gemstone to make you stand out on any occasion or an event. A tennis bracelet is an essential piece of jewe...
Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Seed Pearl Ruby Sapphire Bracelet Emerald Diamond 14K Gold
By Estate Jewelry
Located in East Brunswick, NJ
Seed Pearl Ruby Sapphire Bracelet Emerald Diamond 14K Gold This pretty vintage bracelet is set with natural freshwater seed pearls with a solid 14K ...
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$19,780Sale Price / item|20% Off
W 0.43 in L 7 in
18K White Gold Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
The wearing of charms may have begun as a form of amulet or talisman to ward off evil spirits or bad luck. This emerald, ruby, blue sapphire bracelet has a oval cut gemstone and diam...
Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, White Gold, 18k Gold