Skip to main content

Ella Gafter Rope 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.

to
20
20
20
1
20
20
16
16
2
20
19
1
19
1
13
10
9
9
20
20
Creator: Ella Gafter
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

White and Golden Pearl Natural Color Necklace Set Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The white and golden pearl necklace set consists of a 50” strand of 138 Japanese Akoya pearls of 10.5mm diameter, nestled into a 51” strand of 130 golden South Sea pearls very sligh...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold, Y...

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White 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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Pearl Necklace 5 strands 7.5mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 87” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 263 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 7.5mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The ne...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Pearl Necklace 5 strands 7.5/8mm Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 88” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 270 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 7.5/8mm diameter. The pearls display a lovely nacre,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Pearl and Diamond Necklace Sautoir Art Déco Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pearl and diamond sautoir necklace features a design with 10 Tahitian pearls and 12 Japanese akoya pearls. Gold flowers set with frosted crystal and diamonds...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Crystal, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, Wh...

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, Diamond, 18k Gold, White 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, 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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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 86” Japanese pearl necklace consists of 251 homogeneous round Japanese Akoya pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 8mm diameter. The pearls display a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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 ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Related Items
Triple Strand Blush Pearls w Diamond Silver Enhancements
Located in Mount Kisco, NY
Various hues of light blush colors complement each other and mingle together to create this unique pastel Akoya pearl multi strand necklace. Each pearl strand is accented with tiny d...
Category

2010s American Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Pearl, Sterling Silver

Swarovski Pearl Triple-strand Necklace
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a Swarovski pearl triple-strand necklace. We created it with 10 mm Swarovski white faux pearls, garnets, faceted peridot and sterling silver components. There is a large (1.7...
Category

2010s American Regency Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Garnet, Pearl, Peridot, Sterling Silver

Swarovski Pearl Triple-strand Necklace
Swarovski Pearl Triple-strand Necklace
$645
W 1.75 in D 0.88 in L 17 in
Fresh Water Round Pearl Single Strand Necklace, Opera Length
Located in New York, NY
Fresh Water Round Pearl Single Strand Necklace, Opera Length 40 " measuring approx. 4.5 to 4.8 mm white color Length of Strand 40 inch PEARLS ARE AVERAGE 4.5 MM ALL PEARLS ARE WHITE COLOR NECKLACE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION ALL PEARLS ARE VERY Nice QUALITY No clasp YOU WILL RECEIVE THIS BEAUTIFUL NECKLACE IN A PRETTY BOX...
Category

2010s Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Pearl

White Freshwater Pearl Strand, Lustrous, Very Good, 56 Inches, 6-8mm, Double
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful strand of white freshwater pearls that is 56 inches in length. Pearls are in very good condition and range in size from 6mm to 8mm and have a lustrous nacre. These pearls...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Freshwater Pearl

3 Strand Rousselet Pearl Necklace
By Louis Rousselet
Located in New York, NY
Elegant 3 strand glass pearl necklace by Louis Rousselet. Baroque and beautifully scaled cream graduated pearls which are handmade in the French tradition. Gi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Gilt Metal

Triple Strand Cultured Pearl Necklaces
Located in New York, NY
Lovely strands of cultured pearls in graduated lengths. The genuine cultured pearls are slightly baroque in form and measure between 7 and 8 mm. The 3 strands are endless (claspless)...
Category

1950s American Vintage Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Cultured Pearl

Mikimoto Diamond Double Strand 8mm Cultured Pearl Yellow Gold Necklace
By Mikimoto
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Double Strand 8mm Cultured Pearl Necklace by Mikimoto. The Authentic Mikimoto Double Strand Pearl Necklace...
Category

1990s Japanese Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Yellow Gold

GERARD YOSCA Pearl Opera Length Necklace With Rhinestone Decoration
By Gerard Yosca
Located in Atlanta, GA
Class and elegance are expertly combined in this opera length faux pearl double strand necklace by Gerard Yosca. Mr. Yosca is know for his artisan jewelry and continues to design bea...
Category

1990s American Modern Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Mikimoto 30' Inch 6 - 6.5 mm Akoya Pearls Strand Necklace 18k Yellow Gold Clasp
By Mikimoto
Located in San Diego, CA
Mikimoto 30' Inch Pearl Strand Necklace Style: Strand Metal: 18kt Yellow Gold Size: 6 - 6.5 mm Akoya Pearls Length: 30' Inches Hallmark: M ( Mikimoto Signature ) 750 on back of Cla...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Turquoise, Diamond and Gold Three Strands of Pearl Opera Necklace
Located in Monte Carlo, MC
Very elegant opera necklace: thee stands of white peals closing with a yellow gold clasp which is also the adornment of this piece. It consists of a 27mm long turquoise set in yellow...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold

Rambaud Double Strand Pearl Necklace
By Chanel
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Eduard Rambaud highly collcetible 80s oversize belt /necklace. Can be worn in multiple ways , very versatile and very big size. Comes with pouch or box.
Category

1980s French Vintage Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

1950s Glass Pearl Triple Strand Necklace with Rhinestone Clasp
Located in London, GB
This original 1950s triple strand pearl necklace is a truly eye-catching piece and could easily be mistaken for fine jewellery, such is the quality of the materials used and the sett...
Category

1950s American Vintage Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Previously Available Items
Ella Gafter Japanese Akoya Pearl Necklace Long Rope Strand
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 89” Japanese Akoya pearl necklace consists of 265 homogeneous round pearls (Pinctada Fucata) of 7.5mm diameter. The pearls display an attractive nacre, lustre, and iridescence. The necklace is held together by a handmade 18 carat white gold clasp decorated with round diamonds. The clasp is signed EG. The editorial images in the carousel suggest ways of wearing Ella Gafter long Akoya strands...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Artist Ella Gafter Rope Necklaces

Materials

White Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold

Ella Gafter rope necklaces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Ella Gafter rope necklaces available on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All