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.
Ilias Lalaounis Diamond Rock Crystal Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Rock Crystal Bangle Bracelet by Illias Lalaounis Greece. With Round brilliant cut diamonds total weight approximately 1.5ct Large oval rock crystal 34mm x 24...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold
H.Stern Rock Crystal Bracelet
By H. Stern
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted with large rock crystals prong set in 18k yellow gold and 4 small Round Brilliant cut Diamonds. Signed by H.Stern Circa early 2000s 8 x 1 1/2 inches. Fits like 7 inches
Diamond, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
David Webb 18k Yellow Gold Rock Crystal and Lapis Lazuli Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
The David Webb 18k yellow gold bracelet is a striking piece of jewelry that showcases the brand's expertise in design and craftsmanship. Featuring a unique combination of materials, ...
Crystal, Lapis Lazuli, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold
$55,090Sale Price|30% Off
David Webb 18 Karat Yellow Gold Rock Crystal Link Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
David Webb 18K Yellow Gold and Rock Crystal Open-Link Bracelet. A striking bracelet by David Webb, crafted in 18K yellow gold and set with bold faceted rock crystal links. Measuring...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
$2,000
W 0.5 in L 7.25 in
Art Deco Diamond Bracelet Frosted Rock Crystal Black Onyx White Gold Filigree
By Esemco
Located in New York, NY
A radiant Diamond Black Onyx Frosted Rock Quartz Crystal White Gold Bracelet. The classic antique Art Deco bracelet of great beauty is set with rectangular carved Rock Crystal plaqu...
Diamond, Crystal, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 10k Gold, White Gold
Art Deco Sapphire Diamond Bracelet Rock Crystal 18 Karat White Gold Filigree
Located in New York, NY
This is a radiant Sapphire and Old Mine Cut Diamond Frosted Rock Crystal 18 Karat White Gold Bracelet. The classic antique Art Deco bracelet of great beauty is set with rectangular c...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Sapphire, Gold, White Gold, 18k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Double Ram Ruby Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable vintage bracelet by renowned Greek jeweler Ilias Lalaounis, masterfully crafted in richly textured 18K yellow gold. This bold and highly sculptural design features two o...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond Garnet Bracelet Rock Crystal 14 Karat White Gold Filigree
Located in New York, NY
This is a radiant Diamond and Garnet Frosted Rock Quartz Crystal 14 Karat White Gold Bracelet. The classic antique Art Deco bracelet of great beauty is set with rectangular and oval...
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, Garnet, White Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
David Webb Sugarloaf Rock Crystal and 18k Gold Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
5 tremendous sugarloaf rock crystals weighing approximately 225.83 carats set in a vintage 18K gold rococo link bracelet. This daring design is an exceptional exemplar of DAVID WEBB ...
Rock Crystal, 18k Gold
Lalaounis 18K Gold Frost Rock Crystal Wide Cuff Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Boca Raton, FL
This authentic vintage cuff bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis is crafted in solid 18k yellow gold and showcases the designer’s signature blend of classical inspiration and sculptural artis...
Crystal, Rock Crystal, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Art Deco Diamond Bracelet Frosted Rock Crystal 14 Karat White Gold Filigree
Located in New York, NY
This is a radiant Diamond Frosted Rock Quartz Crystal 14 Karat White Gold Bracelet. The classic antique Art Deco bracelet of great beauty is set with three square carved Rock Crystal plaques (also known as camphor glass) with a sunburst motif carved within the rock crystal. The three plaques are each pierced with a single diamond which is elegantly framed in white gold. The bracelet has beautiful filigree work throughout. The bracelet is of classic beauty in 14 Karat White Gold. This is one of the most elegant period Art Deco bracelets...
Crystal, Diamond, Rock Crystal, White Gold, Gold, 14k Gold
$9,224Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.6 in W 0.6 in Dm 2.56 in
Ilias Lalaounis Bangle Bracelet in Yellow Gold, Ruby & Sapphire
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Tampa, FL
An extremely well made bangle bracelet by iconic Greek jewelry designer Ilias Lalaounis. The bangle is expertly crafted in 18 karat yellow gold with hand applied texturing and carvin...
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamonds, Rock Crystal, Onyx, 9 Karat Rose Gold and Silver Retrò Bracelet
Located in Marcianise, Marcianise (CE)
Simple retrò bracelet in 9 karat rose gold and silver structure mounted with silver structures studded with diamonds and,between of them, rock cristal and onyx. This bracelet was tot...
Diamond, Onyx, Rock Crystal, 9k Gold, Rose Gold, Silver
Ilias Lalaounis 18k yellow gold silver bangle
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Crafted in the 1990s by renowned Greek designer Ilias Lalaounis, this vintage bangle showcases a striking mix of 18k yellow gold and silver. Known for his classical influences and te...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Silver
ILLIAS LALAOUNIS Yellow Gold Mesh Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
An 18 karat yellow gold bracelet, Ilias Lalaounis. Designed as a cylindrical length of flexible mesh formed of wheat chains. Length approximately 7 1/2 inches. Gross weight approx...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Ancient Coin Bracelet 18k/22k
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 18k/22k, by Ilias Lalaounis, Greece. This fabulous 18k yellow gold anchor link bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis features an ancient coin motif depicting Alexander the Great....
18k Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Sold
W 1.22 in Dm 7.25 in
Lalaounis Ilias 1970 Rare Neo-Geometric Bracelet 18Kt Gold Carved Rock Quartz
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare geometric bracelet designed by Ilias Lalaounis. Fabulous and rare three-dimensional piece, created in Greece by the house of Lalaounis, circa late 1960's. This Neo-Geomet...
Quartz, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Diamond Wide Link Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Wide Link Bracelet by Illias Lalaounis Greece. With 215 round brilliant cut diamonds VS1 clarity, G color total wei...
Diamond, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Garnet Unusual Woven Gold Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Aspen, CO
22K yellow gold and wonderful workmanship centering a natural deep red cabachon natural garnet, this piece was purchased at the Lalaounis store in Athens in the late 20th century, t...
Garnet, 18k Gold, 22k Gold
Lalaounis Beaded Gold Link Bracelet in Ancient Style
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
Lalaounis Yellow Gold oval Bead & Round Gold Bead strung on a woven Gold Chain reminiscent of a ancient Greek Classical Style. Marked 18kt - Lalaounis Trademark - 18K -A2 & Greece.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Modernist Gold Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970-80s, 22k, Ilias Lalaounis, Greece. Post Modern design meets Iron age Celtic style in this fabulous bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis. Visually dramatic, it features fine hand co...
22k Gold