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.
Vintage 18K Ilias Lalaounis Sodalite Oval Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Winter Springs, FL
Original Ilias Lalaounis cufflinks done in 18K yellow gold applied to natural blue sodalite. Dimensions/Weight: Cufflinks measure .95” x .75” and weigh 20.9g. Condition: All ma...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Cartier, 18K Gold Trinity Cufflinks
By Cartier
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of classic Cartier cufflinks from their Trinity Collection. Accompanied by a Cartier box. Measurements: 17 x 8 mm. Metal: 18 karat tricolor gold. Stamp: Cartier 750 (Italian ...
18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18k Yellow Gold Red Enamel Cufflinks
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1900s Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 9.2 grams Cufflink Head Measures: .6 x .5 inch Condition: Excellent
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Tiffany & Co Estate Oval Cufflinks 18k YG + Sterling Silver
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Authentic Tiffany & Co Estate Oval Cufflinks 18k YG + Sterling Silver TIF369 TRUSTED SELLER SINCE 2002 PLEASE SEE OUR HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE FEEDBACKS FROM OUR CLIENTS! FREE SHI...
Sterling Silver
TIFFANY & Co. 18K Gold Atlas Groove Oval Cufflinks Cuff Links
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
TIFFANY & Co. 18K Gold Atlas Groove Oval Cufflinks Cuff Links Metal: 18K Yellow Gold Weight: 15.10 grams Hallmark: TIFFANY&CO. ©1995 750 Condition: Excellent condition, like new, ...
18k Gold
$2,450 / set
H 0.52 in W 0.75 in D 1.07 in
Estate Carlo Weingrill Cabochon Sapphire 18K Tri-Color Gold Oval Cufflinks
By Carlo Weingrill
Located in New York, NY
Estate Carlo Weingrill cabochon sapphire and 18k tri-color rose, white and yellow gold cufflinks. Classic, elegant oval form, substantial size and weight, the backs also tri-color go...
Sapphire, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
CARTIER Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Geometric Cufflinks
By Cartier
Located in Miami, FL
Rise above the rest at your next cocktail occasion with these vintage late 1970s Cartier 18K Gold Tuxedo Cufflinks. High-polished finish, on a rectangular four-bar style. Weight: 2...
Yellow Gold
Gucci Vintage Enamel 18k Yellow Gold Cufflinks
By Gucci
Located in Feasterville, PA
A pair of 18k yellow gold cufflinks, featuring the iconic interlocking GG motif, set against vibrant blue and green enamel. Brand: Gucci Hallmarks: Gucci, 750, Italy Material: ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
Vintage 1970s Buccellati 18K Gold Oval Ridged Cufflinks
By Buccellati
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Buccellati cufflinks, an exquisite pair crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Featuring an oval-ridged textured design with a satin finish, these cufflinks are a popu...
18k Gold
Vintage Genio & Brevetti 18k Gold & Lapis Anchor Cufflinks
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
These cufflinks, crafted in Europe during the 1980s, are a testament to both style and craftsmanship. Designed by Genio & Brevetti, they showcase a nautical anchor motif, a symbol of...
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
TIFFANY & Co. - 18K YELLOW GOLD OVAL BLACK ONYX + DIAMOND CUFFLINKS
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
TIFFANY & Co. - 18K YELLOW GOLD OVAL BLACK ONYX + DIAMOND CUFFLINKS Details: 18k yellow gold Cuffs measure: 3/4" x 9/16" Main stone: Black Onyx (oval) Accent stone: diamond in the c...
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Yellow Gold Turquoise Vintage Men's Cufflinks - 18k Oval Cabochon
Located in Greensboro, NC
Era: Vintage Metal Content: 18k Yellow Gold Stone Information Natural Turquoise Treatment: Routinely Enhanced Cut: Oval Cabochon Color: Greenish Blue Measurements Tall: 15/32" (...
Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Jade and Diamond Cufflinks
Located in Hicksville, NY
Year: 1980s Item Details: Metal Type: 18K Yellow Gold [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 13.1 grams Diamond Details: Natural Diamonds, Round Brilliant, F Color, VS Clarity. Diameter: 2...
Diamond, Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Gold Hercules Knot Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Lalaounis Comes with its original box.
18k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Ancient Gold Coin Motif Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 18k, by Lalaounis, Greece. These fabulous 18k yellow gold cufflinks by Ilias Lalaounis feature an ancient coin motif depicting Zeus. Similar to the Alexandrian Gold S...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Gold Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Lalaounis gold cufflinks circa 1980. Designed as a set of nautical knots with matching knot motifs for the faces and toggle connectors, crafted in 18-ka...
18k Gold
Lalaounis Yellow Gold Cuff Links and Tuxedo Studs Dress Set
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990s Ilias Lalaounis Greece 18K yellow Gold Cuff Links and Tuxedo dress shirt studs set. In the Famous Lalaounis Ancient Grecian style the Cuf...
18k Gold
Lalaounis Yellow Gold Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2000 18K Yellow Gold Cufflinks by Ilias Lalaounis Greece, having a deep grooved design the tops measure 3/4 inch in diameter, having toggle backs for easy on and off. These com...
18k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Gold Hercules Knot Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Bethesda, MD
From acclaimed Greek designer Ilias Lalaounis his 18 karat gold Hercules knot cuff links. 22mm 14.3 grams The Hercules knot is a beautiful symbol to h...
18k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Yellow Gold Textured Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Stamford, CT
ilias Lalaounis oval detailed and textured clip back Greek cufflinks in 18k yellow gold. 18k yellow gold Top to bottom: 14.20mm or .56 inch Width: 20.86mm or .82 inch Depth: 2.66mm ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1987 Ilias Lalaounis Gold Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of 18 karat yellow gold cufflinks by Ilias Lalaounis; part of our diverse jewellery and estate jewelry collections. These exceptional, fine and impressive cufflinks have been crafted in 18k yellow gold. The cufflinks have a convex oval form embellished with an engraved scene depicting three women gardening. The cufflinks secure with a hallmarked T-shaped bar. There are two sets of hallmarks, one to each cufflink T-shaped bar. One cufflink is hallmarked with the makers mark for Ilias Lalaounis*, the 18k gold fineness mark 750 and 'GREECE'. The other cufflink T-shaped bar is hallmarked with 'LLD', the 18k gold fineness mark 750, the London import mark and the date letter for 1987 N. *NOTE Ilias Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920, the fourth generation of a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers from Delphi. In the 1950’s, while Greece was recovering from the war years, Lalaounis’ vision became clear: he decided to breathe new life into Greek museum...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
LALAOUNIS 18K Gold Sun Dial Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York City, NY
Rare and unusual 18K gold sun dial themed cufflinks by Lalaounis. They feature a matte finished, hammered gold design.
Hallmarks: Greece, 750, 18K gold...
18k Gold
LALALOUNIS Ram's Head Cufflinks
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in San Antonio, TX
18 kt. gold cufflinks with a Ram's head motif by Ilias Lalaounis, with maker's stamp, 35 750 GREECE.