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.
South Sea Pearl 16mm Diamond Drop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond earrings feature a swirl design on the ear with 4.86 carats of round diamonds accented with 4 large custom-cut baguette diamonds weighing 1.24 carats....
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Sapphire Diamond Clip On Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and sapphire earrings feature a pair of fine, homogeneous South Sea pearls of 15.5mm diameter. The pearls are perched on a crown of round diamonds (0.80 carats) suspending 10 sapphire briolettes...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Whit...
South Sea Pearl 16mm Diamond Drop Earrings Flower Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond earrings feature a flower design on the ear with 1.90 carats of round diamonds set en pavé. The tops suspend two fully exposed spotless South Sea pear...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl 16mm Diamond Sapphire Clip On Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl diamond and sapphire earrings feature a pair of homogeneous South Sea pearls of 16mm diameter. The lustrous pearls are perched on a crown of round diamonds (0.80 ...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Whit...
Blue Sapphire South Sea Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and South Sea pearl earrings feature a spray of 13.50 carats of oval cut and pear shape faceted blue Ceylon sapphires of brilliant color. The tops suspend- via an o...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire,...
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings White Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond earrings features a top hoop design with diamonds suspending two lustrous South Sea pearls of 14.5 x 16mm. The untreated South Sea pearls originate fr...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Tahitian Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings Art Deco Style Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The Tahitian pearl and diamond earrings feature a hoop on the ear set with round diamonds en pavé. The tops suspend a row of custom cut calibrated baguette diamonds (1.50 carats) int...
Coral, White Diamond, Onyx, Black Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White...
$2,070Sale Price|25% Off
W 0.52 in L 0.6 in
Hakimoto 18K 15-13mm Natural Color South Sea Drop Pearl Diamonds Earrings
Located in Hicksville, NY
Hakimoto By Jewel Of Ocean 18K White Gold and Diamond Natural Color South Sea Drop Pearl Earrings Total item weight 8 grams Featuring 0.03 Carats of Round Brilliant Diamonds 15-13mm...
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Gold Drop Earrings
By Prince Diamond
Located in New York, NY
South Sea Cultured Pearl Nacre: Very Thick Pearl quality: AAA 18k White Gold Metal Weight: 2.3 Gr. Diamond Count :14 Diamond Weight : 0.42cts. 1" long
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings 0.73 Carats 12-13 MM 18K White Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White gold drop earrings featuring two South Sea Pearls measuring 12-13 mm flanked with 122 round brilliants weighing 0.73 carats. Pearl Quality AA Luster AA, Excellent Nacre Ve...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings 1.55 Carats 18K White Gold 14-15 MM
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold drop earrings featuring two South Sea Pearls measuring 14-15 mm flanked with numerous diamonds weighing 1.55 carats. Comes in Rose Gold
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings 1.55 Carat 18 Karat Rose Gold 14-15 MM
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold drop earrings featuring two South Sea Pearls measuring 14-15 mm flanked with numerous diamonds weighing 1.55 carats. Available in white gold.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
South Sea White Pearl Diamond Halo Pave 14 Karat White Gold Hook Drop Earrings
By Galt & Bro. Jewelers
Located in Tysons, VA
Silvery Blue Hues with Cold Tones AA Baroque South Sea White Pearls 19MM Length 16MM Width 0.13 cts Diamonds 14K White Gold Fish Hook Earrings
Diamond, Pearl, White Gold, 14k Gold
$9,180Sale Price|20% Off
W 0.75 in L 1.25 in
Assael Coral Diamond Earrings Tahitian South Sea Pearls Estate 18k White Gold
By Assael
Located in Torrance, CA
Elegant pair of estate Assael angel skin coral, diamond & Tahitian South Sea pearl earrings crafted in 18k white gold. Round brilliant cut diamonds total an estimated 1.25 carats (...
Coral, Diamond, White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl and Diamond Dangle Earrings
By Prince Diamond
Located in New York, NY
18k White Gold Earring Pearl Size: 12mm Pearl Quality: AAA Pearl Luster: AAA Total Cts. Weight: 3.45 cts.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Robert Wander 18K Semi Baroque South Sea Pearl and Diamond Earrings
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This very versatile pair of late-20th century 18K yellow gold designer fashion earrings is set with two 13.5mm semi-baroque South Sea pearls surrounded by a line of brilliant cut dia...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Long Earrings 0.92 Carats 9-10 MM 18K White Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White Gold drop earrings featuring two South Sea Pearls measuring 9-10mm and 110 Diamonds 0.92 carats. Color G Clarity SI
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
【Crown Radiance】Symphony Bow 16mm Aurora South Sea Pearl Diamond Earrings
By The Pearl Vogue
Located in New York, NY
Showcasing top-tier 16mm South Sea pearls with a luminous aurora-like sheen, these earrings epitomize refined luxury. The design takes inspiration from a delicately tied ribbon, form...
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, White Gold
$3,080Sale Price / item|20% Off
L 1.63 in
South Sea Pearl Diamond Drop Earrings 0.90 Carats 11-12 MM 18 Karat White Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K White gold drop earrings featuring two South Sea pearls measuring 11-12 mm with 82 round brilliants weighing 0.90 carats.
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Pearl Sapphire Briolette Diamond Earrings
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond earrings feature a pair of homogeneous pearls of 14mm diameter. The pearls are perched on a crown of round diamonds (0.80 carats) suspending 10 sapphire briolettes...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Whit...
Ella Gafter Lavender Sapphire South Sea Pearl Earrings Flower Design
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
This pair of sapphire and South Sea pearl earrings features a flower cluster design on the ear with approximately 6.90 carats of marquise cut faceted sapphires. The tops suspend two ...
White Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire South Sea Pearl and Diamond Flower Drop Earrings
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
This pair of earrings features a flower design on the ear with 6.50 carats of oval cut faceted blue Ceylon sapphires. The tops suspend 2 South Sea pearls of 15 x 14.5 diameter. 0.30 ...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pink Sapphire Diamond Onyx Drop Earrings Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pink sapphire and diamond drop earrings feature 4 faceted sapphires for a total of 3.40 carats in a playful design with black onyx, lending the jewel a distinctive art déco look,...
White Diamond, Onyx, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter White South Sea Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings White Gold
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
This pair of South Sea pearl and diamond drop earrings with flexible joints features a top flower design with diamonds suspen...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold