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.
Gilbert Albert 18K Yellow Gold Pearl Diamond Bracelet, Circa 1970
By Gilbert Albert
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite pearl, diamond, and 18 karat yellow gold bracelet was made by Gilbert Albert in Switzerland, circa 1970. The wide, openwork design features organically sculpted, inte...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Issac Nussbaum 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Bracelet
By Issac Nussbaum
Located in New York, NY
From our estate jewelry collection. A stunning Latticework bracelet in 18k yellow gold. The bracelet is set with one hundred and eleven brilliant Diamonds. The Diamonds are colorl...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
South Sea Pearl Diamond Bypass Bangle 18K Yellow Gold
By Harbor Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
18K Yellow Gold 42 Diamonds 0.20 Carats 11-12 mm South Sea Pearls
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari 18k Yellow Gold, Pearl and Diamond Bangle, Italy, Circa 1980
By Bulgari
Located in London, GB
This strikingly iconic Bulgari bangle in 18k yellow gold is embellished with round cut diamonds and 18 pearls. Measuring 2cm in width and 18 cm in circumference, it is a chunky piece...
Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bvlgari 18K Gold, Pearl And Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in New York, NY
A striking Bvlgari bracelet crafted in 18K yellow gold, set across the front with a row of large white pearls separated by wide pavé diamond-set spacers. The back is finished with su...
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
CHANEL 18K Gold Cultured Pearl & Diamond Matelassé Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional vintage Chanel creation, this elegant Matelassé bracelet is crafted in 18K yellow gold and showcases Chanel's iconic quilted-inspired design. The bracelet is richly ad...
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
Angela Cummings 18k Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet Pearl & Diamonds
By Angela Cummings
Located in New York, NY
Angela Cummings Bangle Bracelet with Assael Pearl 10mm Vintage circa 2000's Brilliant Diamonds around the Pearl Good nice luster South sea Cultured Pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Fluted Bangle Bracelet Circa 1970s
Located in South Pasadena, CA
18k Yellow Gold Fluted Bangle Bracelet Circa 1970s. The 18k Yellow Gold Fluted Bangle Bracelet was made in the 1970s. Made with wide fluted sections, this bangle bracelet has a gre...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate 18K Yellow Gold Mother Of Pearl, Ruby And Diamond Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
This estate bangle is crafted in 18K yellow gold and features a clean, geometric design accented with mother of pearl, rubies, and diamonds. The bracelet is decorated with polished m...
Diamond, Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Floating Akoya Pearl 18K Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Valentin Magro
Located in New York, NY
Pearls provide a lustrous complement to this bracelet. 18k yellow gold forms the cuff, which has varying openwork rows. Akoya pearls are strung on gold wires in these rows, giving th...
Pearl, Natural Pearl, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier Love Bracelet, 18K Yellow Gold, 4 Diamonds, Circa 1969
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
The LOVE collection began with the iconic bracelet created in New York in 1969. An expression of Cartier's design vision, this oval bracelet can be identified by its radical, innovat...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Fluted Bangle Bracelet Circa 1970s
Located in South Pasadena, CA
18k Yellow Gold Fluted Bangle Bracelet Circa 1970s. The 18k Yellow Gold Fluted Bangle Bracelet was made in the 1970s. Made with wide fluted sections, this bangle bracelet has a gre...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antora Tubogas 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Cuff Bracelet
By Antora
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Flexible and adaptable bracelet with tubogas craftmanship that fits wrists of 7,87 inches medium to large Available in three colours of gold, yellow, white and rose. Gold weight 20...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Gilbert Albert Spectacular Abstractionist Bracelet
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, by Gilbert Albert, Switzerland. Sublime in abstraction, Gilbert Albert's pieces are miniature postmodern sculptures. Meticulously fabricated, every fold, texture, ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Spectacular Gilbert Albert Pearl and Diamond Bracelet
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1980s, 18k, by Gilbert Albert, Genève, Switzerland. Sublime in abstraction, Gilbert Albert's pieces are miniature postmodern sculptures. Meticulously fabricated, every fold, te...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gilbert Albert Yellow Gold 18K Vintage Bracelet
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Geneva, CH
Gilbert Albert Yellow Gold 18K Vintage Bangle Bracelet. Unique design by Swiss artist jeweler Gilbert Albert. Inner length: 17.00 centimet...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Gilbert Albert Modernist Gold Bracelet
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k, by Gilbert Albert, Switzerland. Sublime in abstraction, Gilbert Albert's pieces are miniature postmodern sculptures. This bracelet is meticulously fabricated, with...
Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Gilbert Albert Abstract Gold Bracelet
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Litchfield, CT
This modernist bracelet from renowned designer Gilbert Albert, has an easy organic vibe. The unusual, abstract shape of the links draws the eye and the bright yellow 18k gold gives i...
18k Gold
Spectacular Gilbert Albert Modernist Gold Bracelet
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960-70s, by Gilbert Albert, Geneve, Switzerland. Sublime in abstraction, Gilbert Albert's pieces are miniature postmodern sculptures. Meticulously fabricated, every fold, tex...
18k Gold