Gilbert Albert Brooches
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 Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold
1960s French Retro Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, White Gold
20th Century Unknown Modern Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Garnet, Pearl, Gold, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold
1920s British Art Deco Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold
19th Century French Art Nouveau Antique Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s French Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Italian Retro Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Gilbert Albert Brooches
Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1940s Unknown Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1880s Unknown Antique Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Gold, Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Gilbert Albert Brooches
Jasper, Quartz, Opal, Onyx, Hematite, Agate, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1970s Swiss Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Swiss Aesthetic Movement Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold
1980s Contemporary Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Malachite, Pearl, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Malachite, Opal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Retro Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Amber, Diamond, Gold
1990s Swiss Modernist Gilbert Albert Brooches
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Black Pearl, 18k Gold
1960s Swiss Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
18k Gold, Gold
1980s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Brooches
Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold