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.
Ella Gafter 14.47ct Ruby and Diamond Cufflinks in 18k Gold, Italy
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond cufflinks feature two large cabochon rubies of fiery color weighing a total of 14.47 carats. They are surrounded by a crown of...
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ruby and Diamond Gold Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond cufflinks feature 2 large decorative ruby beads. The design is complete with 10 round diamonds for a weight of 0.26 carats. The diamonds are of top quality (F/G-...
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Tahitian Pearl and Ruby Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pearl and ruby cufflinks feature two lustrous pearls from the waters of French Polynesia. The untreated pearls have a diameter of 10mm. They rest on a crown of faceted marquise c...
Black Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ancient Silver Coin Cufflinks Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique silver coin cufflinks are elegantly set in 18 carat yellow gold. The pair is hand made by maestro Giuseppe in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Tahitian Pearl and Sapphire Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pearl and sapphire cufflinks feature two lustrous pearls from the waters of French Polynesia. The untreated pearls have a diameter of 10mm. They rest on a crown of faceted round/...
Black Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cufflinks 18k White gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond cufflinks feature 2 oval shaped blue Ceylon sapphires of fiery color for an approximate total weight of 1.80 carats. The design is complete with 0.60 ca...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond cufflinks feature 2 oval shaped blue Ceylon sapphires of fiery color for an approximate total weight of 1.80 carats. The design is complete with 0.60 ca...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ancient Silver Coin Cufflinks Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique silver coin cufflinks are elegantly set in 18 carat yellow gold. The pair is hand made by maestro Giuseppe in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Onyx and Diamond Playing Card Cufflinks 18k Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The playing card cufflinks feature diamonds and heart shape yellow sapphires set in custom cut black onyx in a white gold setting, lending the jewel a d...
White Diamond, Onyx, Yellow Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ancient Silver Coin Cufflinks Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique silver coin cufflinks are elegantly set in 18 carat yellow gold. The pair is hand made by maestro Giuseppe in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original ...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
Pink Sapphire Diamond and Onyx Cufflinks Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pink sapphire and diamond cufflinks feature 2 triangular sapphires for a total weight of 4.08 carats. The colored gemstones are of fiery color and crystalline texture. The design...
Diamond, Onyx, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Coin and Diamond Cufflinks 18k Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique copper coins are set in a handsome yellow gold setting with a detail of round diamonds of top quality (F/G-VVS, color clarity and cut) for a total of 0.25 carats. The pai...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Ruby Diamond and Onyx Cufflinks Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond cufflinks feature 6 faceted oval cut rubies of fiery color for an approximate total weight of 4 carats. The design is complete with 0.30 carats of diamonds of to...
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tahitian Pearl and Emerald Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The emerald and pearl cufflinks feature two lustrous pearls from the waters of French Polynesia. The untreated pearls have a diameter of 10mm, and display "peacock green" hues. They ...
Emerald, Black Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Onyx and Diamond Dice Cufflinks Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The dice cufflinks feature round diamonds set in custom cut black onyx in a white gold setting, lending the jewel a distinctive art déco look. All our diamonds are of top quality (F/...
White Diamond, Onyx, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Copper Coin Black Jadeite Cufflinks 18k Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafte
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique copper coin cufflinks are set in black jadeite. The pair is hand made in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, by maestro Giuseppe, according ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold, Copper
Antique Coin and Jadeite Cufflinks 18k Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique copper coin cufflinks are set in blue jadeite. The pair is hand made in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, by maestro Giuseppe, according t...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Copper
Antique Coin and Diamond Cufflinks 18k Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique copper coin and diamond cufflinks are elegantly set in yellow gold with a detail of round diamonds of top quality (F/G-VVS, color clarity and cut) for a total of 0.50 car...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Copper
Golden Pearl and Jadeite Lady’s Cufflinks 18k Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The lady’s cufflinks feature two lustrous pearls of 11mm diameter. They are surrounded by a crown of custom cut jadeite. All of our pearls are untreated: their natural color and hig...
South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Coin and White Jadeite Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique copper coin cufflinks are set in white jadeite. The cufflinks were hand made by maestro Giuseppe in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, accordi...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Copper
Antique Silver Coin Diamond Cufflinks 18k White Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique silver coin cufflinks are set in a square frame decorated by a round diamond (F/G-VVS) at each corner. The elegant pair is entirely h...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
Golden Pearl and Jadeite Lady’s Cufflinks 18k Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The lady’s cufflinks feature two lustrous pearls of 11.5 mm diameter. They are surrounded by a crown of custom cut jadeite. All of our pearls are untreated: their natural color and high luster have not been enhanced in any way. The pair is entirely hand made in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original design by Ella Gafter...
South Sea Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cufflinks 18k gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond cufflinks feature 2 beautiful blue faceted Ceylon sapphires of fiery color for an approximate total weight of 2.25 carats. The design is complete with 0...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Antique Silver Coin Cufflinks 18k White gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique silver coin cufflinks are elegantly set in white gold. They were hand made in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an origi...
18k Gold, White Gold, Silver
Blue Sapphire and Diamond Cufflinks 18k White Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond cufflinks feature a design with round cut blue, faceted, Ceylon sapphires for an approximate total weight of 5 carats. The design is complete with 0.20 ...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Sapphire Ruby Diamond and Onyx Cufflinks Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The sapphire, ruby and diamond cufflinks feature 2 drop shape rubies and 4 drop shape blue Ceylon sapphires for an approximate total weight of 3.80 carats. The colored gemstones are ...
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Blue Sapphire Cufflink Set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings
Located in Bangkok, TH
Blue Sapphire 0.76 carat Cufflink set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings Width: 1.8 cm Length: 1.7 cm Total Weight: 20.55 grams "We first opened doors in 1980 when it was then situa...
Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tiffany & Co 18k Gold & Sapphire Cufflinks
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co 18k Gold & Sapphire Cufflinks Details: A pair of vintage oval panel 18k yellow gold Tiffany Cufflinks 18 mm x 11 mm, with a center cabochon round sapphire 4 mm diameter...
Sapphire, 18k Gold
$3,880
W 1.07 in L 0.52 in
Blue Sapphire, Ruby and Diamond Oil-Rig Cufflinks Set in 18 Karat White Gold
Located in Bangkok, TH
Blue Sapphire 1.15 carats, Ruby 0.93 carat and Diamond 0.23 carat Cufflinks set in 18 Karat White Gold Settings Width: 2.7 cm Length: 1.3 cm Total Weight: 16.28 grams "We first o...
Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
$5,600
H 0.6 in W 0.3 in D 0.5 in Dm 0.3 in L 0.6 in
Vintage 18K White Gold French Cut Sapphire, Cab Sapphire, and Diamond Cufflinks
Located in Plantation, FL
An exceptional pair of vintage sapphire and diamond cufflinks, masterfully crafted in solid 18K white gold and set with a sophisticated combination of French-cut sapphires, cabochon ...
Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold
Attractive Design Silver Cufflinks
Located in New York, NY
Attractive Design Silver cufflinks with crosshatched designs and wavy border, slightly French in flavor but German in origin. Toggle backs are decorated with similar design as well. ...
Silver
Cartier Pasha Sapphire 18k Yellow Gold Ribbed Cufflinks
By Cartier
Located in Simpsonville, SC
The Cartier 18k Gold Cufflinks are a testament to exquisite craftsmanship and luxurious design. These cufflinks feature a ribbed, spherical ...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vita Turquoise and Pink Sapphire Cufflinks, 18k
Located in New York, NY
A Vita Turquoise and Pink Sapphire Cufflinks, 18k. The pink sapphire weighs appx. 2.50 carats. The total weight of the cufflinks are 12.74 grams.
Pink Sapphire, Turquoise
CARTIER PARIS Art Deco Yellow Gold Coin-Edge Fan Cufflinks
By Cartier
Located in New York City, NY
Handsome 18k yellow gold fan cufflinks by Cartier Paris, circa 1930s. They resemble thick fans with a coin-like edge. Beautifully made. Hallmarks: Cartier Paris, French 18K gold a...
18k Gold
Ancient Roman Coin Cufflinks Of Vespasian and Maiorianus in 14k Gold Frame
Located in Miami, FL
These stunning 14K yellow gold Roman Coin cufflinks feature authentic ancient coins of Emperor Vespasian and Emperor Maiorianus. The finely detailed cufflinks exude vintage charm, wi...
Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Modern 2.40ct Ruby and Diamond Cufflinks
Located in London, GB
These contemporary cufflinks feature 1.20cts of striking princess cut rubies on each link, flanked by 0.28cts of sparkling round brilliant cut diamonds on either side. The diamonds t...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mauboussin Paris sapphire 18k white gold cufflinks
By Mauboussin
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These distinguished Mid Century cufflinks by Mauboussin Paris showcase a refined arrangement of square cut blue sapphires, creating a bold yet sophisticated geometric design. The dee...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
French Antique Double Sided Ruby 18k Yellow Gold Cufflinks
Located in New York, NY
These rare French antique round cufflinks feature a double-sided decorative design crafted in 18k yellow gold and accented with round red rubies. Made in France circa 1930s. Measurem...
Ruby, Yellow Gold
Ella Gafter Ruby and Diamond Cufflinks
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond cufflinks feature 2 large cabochon rubies weighing a total of 15.47 carats. They are surrounded by a crown of round dia...
White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ancient Silver Coin Cufflinks Yellow Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The antique silver coin cufflinks are elegantly set in 18 carat yellow gold. The pair is hand made by maestro Giuseppe in our own workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver, Gold
Sold
W 0.63 in L 0.63 in
Ella Gafter Art Deco Style Black Tahitian Pearl Sapphire White Gold Cufflinks
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The cufflinks feature two lustrous pearls from the waters of French Polynesia. The untreated pearls have a diameter of 10mm. They rest on a crown of faceted round cut yellow sapphire...
Black Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold