Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
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.
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Creator: 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 Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Necklace Choker Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond choker necklace features a geometric design of 10.80 carats of princess cut diamonds, surrounded by a pave of round diamonds totaling 15.50 carats. All our diamonds are of top quality (F-G/VVS).
The elegant choker is entirely handmade in 18 carat white gold with the most sophisticated workmanship and know-how: It is flexible just to the right degree, and will lay perfectly on any lady’s neck.
It was made by maestro Salvatore in our workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original design by Ella Gafter.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 31 large pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are gently graduated from 17-14.5mm. They feature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
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 Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl and Diamond Necklace Earrings Ruby Leaf Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pearl and diamond necklace and earrings feature a marvelous design with South Sea pearls, Tahitian pearls, rubies and diamonds.
The midrib of the leaves and the crowns of the So...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 18k G...
Snake Necklace with Diamonds and Blue Sapphire Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The snake necklace with diamonds and blue sapphire consists of articulated white gold sections set with a recurring pattern of round diamonds. The head of the snake shows the highest...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Ruby Riviera Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond ruby riviera necklace features a marvelously articulated 15.5” riviera of perfectly calibrated and homogeneous round diamonds suspending 9 dia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Diamond and Multicolor Sapphire Briolette Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and sapphire necklace features five flower-like motifs set with brilliant color faceted round blue Ceylon sapphires and a diamond center. Each flower is attached to a des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 31 large pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are gently graduated from 17-14.5mm. They feature...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Heart Shape Ruby Diamond Necklace and Earrings Set Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The heart shape ruby and diamond necklace and earrings set is constituted by 17 faceted rubies of homogeneously brilliant qu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Blue Sapphire Diamond and South Sea Pearl Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond necklace features 4 marvelously articulated leaf designs (see images in carousel) set with custom-cut baguette diamonds (2.41 carats) amidst a pavé of r...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire,...
Tahitian Black Pearl Strand Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The Tahitian pearl necklace is composed of 33 pearls originating from the waters of Tahiti. Their diameter range is 15-12mm. They feature thick healthy nacre, slight graduation, beau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
Diamond Necklace Choker Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond choker necklace features a geometric design of 10.80 carats of princess cut diamonds, surrounded by a pave of round diamonds totaling 15.50 carats. All our diamonds are of top quality (F-G/VVS).
The elegant choker is entirely handmade in 18 carat white gold with the most sophisticated workmanship and know-how: It is flexible just to the right degree, and will lay perfectly on any lady’s neck.
It was made by maestro Salvatore in our workshop in Naples, Italy, according to an original design by Ella Gafter.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 33 pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are gently graduated from 15-12mm. They feature thick ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
South Sea Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 27 large pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are smoothly graduated from 17-12mm. They feature thick nacre, a beautiful pearl-white color and a splendid lustre. The pearls were extracted from Pinctada Maxima shells (“silver-lipped mother of pearl”). They have not been dyed, bleached or treated in any way with chemical or other artificial processes that could cause their natural color or luster to diminish over time.
The strand is held together by a spherical clasp set with 1 carat of top quality diamonds (F/G-VVS).
The last images in the carousel show beautiful ways of combining our South Sea strands with our fine jewelry designs.
Ella Gafter is recognized as one of the world’s leading pearl jewelers. In 2001, an extraordinary corsage brooch by Ella Gafter was one of the very few contemporary pieces included in the American Museum of Natural History’s “Pearls” exhibition, which traveled around the world for 10 years. Recently, Ella has agreed to donate the brooch to their permanent collection; it is now prominently and permanently displayed in the new Hall of Gems and Minerals.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 33 pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are gently graduated from 15-12mm. They feature thick ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
South Sea Pearl Choker Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 27 large pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are gently graduated from 16-14mm. They feature t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Heart Shape Ruby Diamond Necklace and Earrings Set Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The heart shape ruby and diamond necklace and earrings set is constituted by 17 faceted rubies of homogeneously brilliant qu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Choker Necklace Diamond Clasp Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl choker necklace is composed of 27 large pearls originating from the waters of Northwestern Australia. The pearls are gently graduated from 16-14mm. They feature t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Yellow Sapphire Riviera Choker Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The yellow sapphire riviera choker features perfectly calibrated and homogeneous faceted round yellow sapphires of fiery color and crystalline texture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl and Diamond Choker Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and pearl choker necklace consists of articulated white gold sections set with round diamonds regularly interleaved with sections of mother-of-pearl topped with crystal, ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Ruby Riviera Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond ruby riviera necklace features a marvelously articulated 15.5” riviera of perfectly calibrated and homogeneous round diamonds suspending 9 dia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
Tahitian Black Pearl Strand Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The Tahitian pearl necklace is composed of 33 pearls originating from the waters of Tahiti. Their diameter range is 15-12mm. They feature thick healthy nacre, slight graduation, beau...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
Snake Necklace with Diamonds and Blue Sapphire Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The snake necklace with diamonds and blue sapphire consists of articulated white gold sections set with a recurring pattern of round diamonds. The head of the snake shows the highest...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Choker Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Ella Gafter choker necklaces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a range of Ella Gafter choker necklaces 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 choker necklaces, from our inventory of 14, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 15 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. 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 choker necklaces can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $12,800 and tops out at $482,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $106,000.