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 Diamond Necklace Opera Length Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl necklace is composed of 2 independent South Sea pearl chokers with identical clasps that can therefore connect into a glorious opera length strand. (See an image ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
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...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
10/9.5mm Triple Pearl Necklace Set Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The triple pearl necklace set consists of 3.5 original length strands (16” each) of Japanese pearls of splendid nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The pearls are homogeneous and measure...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
10/9.5mm Double Pearl Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The double pearl necklace set consists of 5.5 original length strands (16” each) of Japanese pearls of splendid nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The pearls are homogeneous and measure...
Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl Necklace Set Opera Length Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl necklace set of opera length is composed of 2 separate strands (36” is 40” long). The 57 pearls composing the magnificent necklace originate from the waters of No...
Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold
Pearl Necklace 4 strands 8.5/9mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 70” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 189 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8.5/9mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is ...
White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 9 strands 9.5/9mm Quadruple Opera Length Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The quadruple pearl necklace set consists of 9 original strands of Japanese pearls of splendid nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The pearls are homogeneous and measure 9/9.5mm in diame...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond and Ruby Necklace Two Tone Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and ruby necklace features 3 perfectly nestling rows of drop shape rubies interspersed with round diamonds. The rows are clasped together and taper into a double and then...
White Diamond, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Pearl Necklace 6 strands 10mm Triple Opera Length Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The opera length triple pearl necklace set consists of 6 original strands of Japanese pearls of splendid nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The pear...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 6 strands 7.5/8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 100” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 310 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 7.5/8mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 5 strands 8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 85” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 252 homogeneous round Japanese Akoya pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and irides...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 6 strands 8/8.5mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 102” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 282 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8/8.5mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 6 strands 8.5mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 102” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 281 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8.5mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is h...
White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Four Strand Pearl and Diamond Necklace Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The high-class pearl and diamond necklace consists of a set of 4 independent strands for a total of 202 white homogeneous round Japanese Akoya pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 9/9.5mm dia...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 4 strands 8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 70” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 189 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is held...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 5 strands 8.8/5mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 92” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 251 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8/8.5mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The ...
White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 4 strands 8/8.5mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 66” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 189 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8/8.5mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is ...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 4 strands 7.5/8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 70” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 212 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 7.5/8mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 6 strands 9.5/9mm Triple Opera Length Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The triple pearl necklace set consists of 6 original strands of Japanese pearls of lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The pearls are homogene...
Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 6 strands 8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 104” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 302 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8mm diameter. The pearls display an attractive nacre, lustre, and iridescence. Th...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 4.5 strands 9mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 75” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 205 round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8.5/9mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is ...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Cartier Cultured Pearl Necklace Triple Strand 6mm 18k Gold Onyx Clasp
By Cartier
Located in Torrance, CA
Stylish vintage Cartier triple stand cultured pearl necklace (circa 1960s to 1970s) finished with an 18k gold onyx inlaid clasp. Cultured pearls are ...
Onyx, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Brown, Champagne & Cream Pearl Triple Strand with Gold Clasp Vintage Necklace
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Triple Strand Multi Color Brown, Champagne & Cream 8.5mm Pearl Vintage Necklace held by a 14K Yellow Gold Clasp. Measuring approx. 17” long. More Beautiful in r...
Pearl, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
Multi-Strand "" Pearl Necklace
Located in Dallas, TX
This stunning multi-strand pearl tots add necklace is fitted with a 14k Yellow Gold clasp. The necklace weighs in at 88.1 grams and is marked 14k 585
Pearl, 14k Gold
Chanel Double Chain Necklace with Pearl Medallions
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This authentic Chanel Double Chain Necklace with Medallions is in excellent vintage condition from the 1980's. Very rare and collectible, ...
David Webb Triple Strand Fine Pearl and Diamond Necklace
By David Webb
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s David Webb Triple Strand Pearls Necklace, Having very Fine AAA Quality 6 M.M Round Cultured Pearls With nearly no signs of surface blemishes and are of Fine White luster ...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage Triple Row Graduated Pearl Necklace 1980s
Located in Wilmslow, GB
A Vintage Triple Row Graduated Pearl Necklace. There is something enduringly chic about a vintage pearl necklace. From a beautifully simple single strand or long rope to multi-row de...
$3,094Sale Price|20% Off
L 24 in
South Sea Pearl, Tahitian Pearl & Diamond Necklace, 18K Gold, Austy Lee
By Austy Lee
Located in Hong Kong, HK
This classic and elegant Pearl and Diamond Necklace is made of White South Sea Cultured Pearls (with size of 12 - 14.5mm), Tahitian Pearls (with size of approx. 10mm) and Diamonds on 18K White Gold Chain. Product Details: Diamond - 12 pcs - 0.43ct Black Pearl - 5 pcs - 40.39cts White Pearl - 6 pc - 92.10cts 18K White Gold Length: 24 inches 100% guaranteed Natural gemstones. Certification(s) (GIA, GRS, IGI) can be requested by customers with an additional charge. Please kindly contact us for the quotation. This is a brand new item and delivered directly from aUSTY LEE in our own branded jewellery...
Diamond, Black Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
14K Gold-filled Triple Strand Lavender Baroque Pearl & Amethyst Necklace
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a triple strand dyed natural baroque pearl and amethyst necklace. We created it with up to 15mm dyed lavender color pearls and 4 mm faceted round amethysts as spacers and acc...
Amethyst, Pearl, Natural Pearl, 14k Gold, Gold-filled
Vintage Chanel Double Strand Pearl and Bow Station Necklace, 2006
By Chanel
Located in London, GB
Chanel double strand faux pearl sautoir necklace with bow and CC logo stations, from Spring/Summer 2006. This classic Chanel necklace features ...
Pearl, Gold Plate
South Sea Pearl Opera Length 78cm (30.7 inches) Necklace 18K Gold & Pearl Clasp
Located in MELBOURNE, AU
This Magnificent South Sea Pearl Strand is of desirable opera length – 78cm (30.7 inches), comprising 98 South Sea Pearls, of 8.5mm each, of sought- after round shape, of fi...
South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold
Large Baroque Pearl Necklace, 20 mm Freshwater Pearls, 130 Grams
Located in Bresso, IT
Striking statement necklace composed of large baroque freshwater pearls, each measuring approximately 20 mm, creating a bold sculptural presence when worn. The strand displays warm c...
Freshwater Pearl, Brass
Vintage Double Strand Cultured Pearl Necklace, Graduated, Gold & Pearls Clasp
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
A classic vintage double strand cultured pearl necklace, composed of graduated cream-toned pearls displaying soft natural overtones of pink and grey. The necklace is finished with a...
Cultured Pearl, Gold, 9k Gold
Pearl Necklace 5 strands 8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 86” Japanese pearl necklace consists of 251 homogeneous round Japanese Akoya pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8mm diameter. The pearls display a...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Pearl Necklace 5 strands 9/9.5mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 82” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 222 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 9/9.5mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The ...
White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold