Ilias Lalaounis

It’s fitting that Ilias Lalaounis (1920–2013) is the only jeweler ever inducted into the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts — the Greek jeweler’s creations, such as his decorative gold necklaces and rings, are less fashion adornment and more works of art.

Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920 to a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers with origins in Delphi. Before turning to the family business, Lalaounis studied law, economics, business and music and trained with the painter Alexandros Alexandrakis. Such a well-rounded education laid the foundation for his unique approach to jewelry.

Lalaounis took the helm of his uncle’s jewelry company in 1940. The impact of the Second World War on Greece inspired the jeweler to celebrate his country’s history by reinterpreting its artifacts into new works of art. In 1957, Lalaounis founded the Greek Jewelers’ Association and exhibited at the Thessaloniki International Fair, showcasing the first of his “collections,” as he would come to define his phases of work. This, the Archaeological Collection, was informed by classical and Hellenistic history.

Lalaounis would go on to find new ways to render historic motifs in gold and gemstones after founding his namesake house in 1969. For his 1970s-era collection, Blow Up, he displayed gold pieces inspired by Minoan art on his models’ entire bodies; after opening a store in Tokyo, he presented a collection informed by Japanese art. Later, Lalaounis introduced a collection inspired by Native Americans at his Madison Avenue store in Manhattan. One of the jeweler’s most important commissions came in 1976, when he designed a collection that drew on Persian art for Empress Farah of Iran.

In 1984, Lalaounis explored his unique creative vision with a book, Metamorphoses. By the 1990s, he had stores across Europe as well as in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, and his work had been exhibited at the National Museum of American History and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, to name a few. In 1994, he founded his own eponymous museum in Athens, with a permanent collection of pieces from 45 of his collections. Lalaounis died in 2013.

Lalaounis’s research-driven approach to jewelry design gives his pieces a depth on par with any art form.

Find an ornate assortment of Ilias Lalaounis’s yellow-gold necklaces, rings and more on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price

$5,130

Styles

Related Creators

Ilias Lalaounis 18k Gold Hammered Sculptural Bangle Bracelet, 1970s

$14,000

W 1.25 in L 6.5 in

Ilias Lalaounis 18k Gold Hammered Sculptural Bangle Bracelet, 1970s

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

DESIGNER: Ilias Lalaounis CIRCA: 1970’s MATERIALS: 18k Yellow Gold WEIGHT: 46.5 Grams MEASUREMENTS: 6 1/2" inner circumference x 1 1/4" at the top HALLMARKS: Ilias LALAoUNIS, A21, 750, Greece, MECAN ITEM DETAILS: An 18k yellow gold bangle bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis, designed as an open bypass form that coils around the wrist like a wave. The hammered finish gives the gold a textured, organic surface that catches light differently from every angle, a signature look for this Greek maker known for archaeological and nature-inspired jewelry. The piece is fully signed and hallmarked, with "Ilias Lalaounis," the 750 stamp for 18k gold, and Greek maker's marks stamped along the interior band, giving the piece a modern, minimal profile while still referencing the designer’s Greek heritage. This bangle style bracelet works equally well as an everyday statement piece or for dressier occasions, and it holds real weight and presence on the wrist. Collectors searching for authentic Ilias Lalaounis jewelry...

Category

1970s Vintage Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

18k Gold

Lalaounis Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet Bangle

$13,000

L 6.5 in

Lalaounis Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet Bangle

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in New York, NY

Original Lalaounis Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet From Greece Measurements: circumference is approx 6.5' inches Hallmarked: Lalaounis sign, 750, Greece, A21, MECAN marks ca...

Category

1970s Greek Vintage Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Spectacular Lalaounis Earrings

$19,000

L 2.5 in

Spectacular Lalaounis Earrings

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in Litchfield, CT

Circa 1960s 22k by Ilias Lalaounis Greece. These boldly stylish gold earrings by Lalaounis revive classic Mycenaean motifs for a look that is as chic as it is timeless. Ilias Lalaou...

Category

1960s Greek Vintage Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

22k Gold

Ilias Lalaounis 1970 18k Gold Ram's Head Clip-On Earrings with Gems

$10,980

W 1.3 in L 1.2 in

Ilias Lalaounis 1970 18k Gold Ram's Head Clip-On Earrings with Gems

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in Lewisburg, PA

An extraordinary pair of early, high-quality clip-on earrings by Ilias Lalaounis, crafted in solid 18k gold and designed as majestic rams—each adorned with emerald eyes, diamond coll...

Category

1970s Vintage Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Sapphire, 18k Gold

Ilias Lalaounis Greece Swan Sodalite Yellow Gold Large Earrings

$7,500

W 1.11 in L 1.11 in

Ilias Lalaounis Greece Swan Sodalite Yellow Gold Large Earrings

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in New York, NY

Ilias Lalaounis Round Blue Sodalite Earring clip set in 18k Yellow Gold Weight approx 30 grams Size: approx 28mm Created circa 1970's -1980's Pre-Owned in excellent condition A fa...

Category

1970s Greek Vintage Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

Yellow Gold

Vintage Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Serpent Cuff Bracelet

$9,550

H 0.33 in W 2.5 in L 7 in

Vintage Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Serpent Cuff Bracelet

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in Palm Beach, FL

This highly detailed Lalaounis serpent cuff bracelet is an iconic design, certain to be recognized as an item produced by this venerated house. Very lifelike in appearance and postur...

Category

Late 20th Century Greek Artisan Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Lalaounis Horse Brooch Pin 18k Yellow Gold Vintage

$6,500

W 1.25 in L 1.75 in

Lalaounis Horse Brooch Pin 18k Yellow Gold Vintage

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in New York, NY

Vintage This piece is an 18k yellow gold brooch created by the renowned Greek jeweler I The brooch is a prime example of Lalaounis's signature style, which often draws from ancient ...

Category

Late 20th Century Greek Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Ilias Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Ram Head Hercules Knot Lariat Necklace

$19,000

Ilias Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Ram Head Hercules Knot Lariat Necklace

By Ilias Lalaounis

Located in Southampton, PA

A monumental lariat necklace in 18K yellow gold by Ilias Lalaounis, executed in the maison's celebrated woven rope chain technique drawn from ancient Greek and archaeological traditi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ilias Lalaounis

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Browse all Jewelry from Ilias Lalaounis

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Ilias Lalaounis Sale Prices

Sold Date

Sold Price

Category

Material

Creation Year

2026	$2,500	Fashion Rings	Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold	Circa 1960-70s
2026	$8,225	Cuff Bracelets	18k Gold, Yellow Gold	Unknown
2026	$2,900	Brooches	Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold	1980
2026	$1,950	Band Rings	22k Gold, Yellow Gold	unknown
2026	$4,200	Clip-on Earrings	18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Crystal	Circa 21st Century
2026	$2,150	Cocktail Rings	18k Gold	1960
2026	$3,300	More Rings	Yellow Gold, Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold	1985
2026	$1,700	Fashion Rings	Yellow Gold	late 20th century
2026	$9,250	Choker Necklaces	Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold	1998
2026	$11,000	Choker Necklaces	Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold	Unknown
2026	$3,950	Drop Earrings	Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Diamond, Pearl	Circa 1990
2026	$2,695	Fashion Rings	18k Gold	1990s
2026	$2,500	More Rings	Yellow Gold	Unknown
2026	$9,850	Choker Necklaces	18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Topaz	2000
2026	$6,000	Chain Necklaces	Gold, 18k Gold	2005
2026	$3,500	More Rings	Gold, Diamond, Ruby	20th century
2026	$750	Bangles	Gold, Sterling Silver	20th Century
2025	$10,710	Clamper Bracelets	Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold	circa 1960's
2025	$2,400	Cocktail Rings	18k Gold, Yellow Gold	Circa 1970-1990
2025	$12,220	Bangles	18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Diamond, Ruby	unknown

$5,130

Average sold price of items in the past 12 months

$750-$18,000

Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Ilias Lalaounis jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Ilias Lalaounis jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Ilias Lalaounis jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Ilias Lalaounis ruby jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 40, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 157 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 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by Zolotas, Alexia Gryllaki, and Etho Maria. Prices for Ilias Lalaounis jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $95,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $5,972.