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Gilbert Albert Choker Necklaces

Swiss, 1930-2019

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.

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Creator: Gilbert Albert
Gilbert Albert Blk Tourmaline, Ruby, Pearl & Diamond Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold
By Gilbert Albert
Located in La Jolla, CA
Black Tourmaline, Ruby and Diamond Statement Necklace in 18k Yellow Gold by Gilbert Albert (Geneva) features Large Black Tourmaline Crystals set in textured 18k Yellow Gold with Ruby Cabochons, Diamonds and Black Tahitian Pearls 5.00 carats of Round Brilliant Diamonds 53.49 carats of Pearshaped Ruby Cabochons with mixed color intensity and 15 Black Tahitian Pearls from 8 mm to 10.5 mm Mixed tones of grey Necklace measures 17 inches around with the center front measuring 2.00 inches wide Necklace weighs 263.5 grams Necklace is marked Gilbert Albert, 750, 2820 About Gilbert Albert In 1955, at only 25 years of age he joined the Patek Philippe workshops and soon became the head of the creative department. At this time, Patek Philippe was under the adventurous guidance of Henri Stern, himself a talented artist who took something of a gamble nurturing the avant-garde design sensibility of the young jewelry designer Albert. By the turn of the 1960s, Gilbert Albert was focusing on his true love, jewelry. Here his creativity knew no bounds, he would see beauty where no one else would. He reveled in using unusual materials such as meteorites and fossils, contrasting these rough materials with highly polished or textured gold, with a sprinkling of more traditional gemstones such as rubies, emeralds and diamonds. As always, he drew inspiration from nature: he would see a shell and see something precious to be replicated in a watch. He would see textures and lines in a meteorite and treat them in the same way as a precious stone. He even used fur to create straps. Such inspiration fueled an extraordinary array of jeweled watches...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Gilbert Albert Choker Necklaces

Materials

Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, Tourmaline, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Gilbert Albert Vintage Floral Botryoidal Openwork Bib Necklace Yellow Gold 1970s
By Gilbert Albert
Located in Lisbon, PT
Gilbert Albert vintage floral bib necklace in 18kt yellow gold, Switzerland, 1970s. Modelled as a sequence of asymmetrical openwork floral botryoidal panels with both polished and granular textured decoration, graduating in size from larger sections in the center, in a bib necklace fashion. This necklace is doubly secured with a click-shut clasp and a safety catch fitting. Dimensions: approximately 16.5 x 14.0 (outer measurements); 11.5 x 12.5 cm (inner measurements). Gross Weight: 115.87g. Signature for Swiss jeweler Gilbert Albert; Lisbon import mark for 18kt gold; stamped "1TO"; stamped "750" for 18kt gold. This item is in good condition, with marks and scratches consistent with general age and wear. Antique, period and vintage pieces, both signed and unsigned, are being offered as worn. Unless otherwise stated, all weights and quality factors have been graded as mounting permitted and using classic gemology and standard gemological equipment and might slightly differ from the assessments provided by other gemologists. Assessments related to period of manufacture or geographic origin of gemstones are expert opinions and may differ from the assessments provided by other professionals. Colors in the pictures/videos might slightly differ from the colors in real life. When certificated stones are being offered, the certificate or report will be mentioned. For additional information or clarification, please get in touch and our in-house team of expert GIA Graduate Gemologists and Registered Appraisers/Valuers will be happy to help. Upon request, every item sold by Espadim 1985...
Category

1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Choker Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

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Gilbert Albert choker necklaces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Gilbert Albert choker necklaces available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using yellow gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Gilbert Albert jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Gilbert Albert black pearl choker necklaces, from our inventory of 1, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 2 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider choker necklaces by and Natkina. Prices for Gilbert Albert choker necklaces can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20,859 and tops out at $38,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $29,430.

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