Gilbert Albert Jewelry
When it came to creating elegant jewelry out of unusual materials, Gilbert Albert was a master alchemist. Not only was he the first known jeweler to set meteorite fragments in fine jewelry, but he also crafted works from more earthly components such as sea-urchin skeletons, shark teeth, peacock feathers and fulgurites, which he placed in tubes of glass made from sand that had been struck by lightning.
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1930, Albert began training in jewelry design at the age of 15 while attending the city’s School of Industrial Arts. There, he became influenced by European abstract artists such as Piet Mondrian and Constantin Brâncusi. A decade later, luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe spotted Albert’s talents, and for the next seven years, he worked at the company as a designer, developing Patek’s signature asymmetrical timepieces.
In 1962, Albert opened his first atelier and pioneered a method for incorporating unconventional natural materials into his jewelry. Driven by a lifelong love of nature, Albert combined petrified plants, furs, feathers, dinosaur fossils and beetle exoskeletons with traditional precious metals and gemstones to make curious rings, brooches, bracelets and watches. Among his most well-known pieces are his sculptural gold clip-on earrings, pendant necklaces and interchangeable cocktail rings with removable beads.
Throughout his career, Albert’s creations have been exhibited at shows and fairs in Prague, Paris, London, Milan, Copenhagen, Antwerp, Brussels, New York, Vienna, Salzburg, Tokyo, Osaka, São Paulo, Lisbon and Dubai. He was also the first living artist since 1917 invited to display work at the Kremlin, in Moscow.
In addition to receiving numerous accolades for his jewelry designs — he won the Diamonds International Award 10 times — Albert has been recognized for his talents as an artist. In 1999, the Swiss government hired him to design the “Mass” of the Republic of Geneva. He also received the Ramsar Wetlands Conservation Award, and Geneva’s International Museum of the Reformation has one of his sculptures on permanent display.
Even after Albert’s death, in 2019, his artisanal jewelry remains highly coveted among collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of Gilbert Albert rings, necklaces and earrings.
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
Early 2000s Modern Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
20th Century French Modern Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1970s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century Italian Modern Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Contemporary Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1990s Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Onyx, Yellow Gold
2010s American Art Nouveau Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Gilbert Albert Jewelry
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s American Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Pearl, Freshwater Pearl, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Dutch Modern Gilbert Albert Jewelry
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold
1980s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Sapphire, Yellow Gold
1980s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Hematite, Agate, Amethyst, Carnelian, Yellow Gold
1980s Contemporary Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Malachite, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Retro Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1770s French Retro Antique Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Agate, Carnelian, Chalcedony, Diamond, Quartz, Cat’s Eye, 18k Gold, Yell...
1980s Swiss Contemporary Vintage Gilbert Albert Jewelry
Diamond, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Tiger's Eye, Rhodocrosite, 18k Gold, Y...