Pierre Sterlé Rings
The loss of his father in World War I led to Pierre Sterlé’s mentorship under his uncle, who supported his ascension into the jewelry design world. At the height of his success, Sterlé designed for jewelry titans Boucheron, Chaumet and Ostertag. He won the De Beers Diamond Award three years in a row and operated out of an exclusive boutique in Paris that served the elite and royal families by appointment only.
His uncle was a Parisian jeweler on the rue de Castiglione. Sterlé started his own workshop at the age of 29 and spent five years designing for eminent Parisian jewelry houses on rue Sainte-Anne. By the mid-1940s, Sterlé had moved his atelier closer to the Place Vendôme to better serve his wealthy patrons, who included French author Colette, King Farouk of Egypt, the Maharani of Baroda and the Begum Aga Khan.
Sterlé had a remarkable ability to “knit gold” into woven masterpieces. His technical prowess was unmatched by anyone in Paris, and arguably the world. His “angel wire” technique, considered his signature style, incorporated gold into fine ropes that became link bracelets, cocktail rings and accents on decorative pins and brooches. The effect gave a sense of movement and life to the pieces, something Sterlé strived for in his attempts to make metal and precious gemstones less rigid and cold.
Two misfortunes derailed his business. The first was a failed venture into perfume, which resulted in having to sell many of his designs to Chaumet and New York jeweler Montreaux. Sterlé rebounded with a successful display at the 1966 Biennale in Paris, where he was the first modern jeweler ever invited. His second misstep was more damaging. He opened an exclusive shop on the rue Saint-Honoré in 1969. It was unsuccessful, and he was forced to declare bankruptcy, selling most of his stock to Chaumet in 1976.
Sterlé stayed on with the company as a consultant until his death two years later in 1978.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Pierre Sterlé rings, earrings, bracelets and more.
1950s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Emerald, White Diamond, Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, 18k Gold
1950s French Modernist Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Mid-20th Century Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Platinum
1950s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1960s French Aesthetic Movement Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
1950s French Modernist Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Tiger's Eye, Gold, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
20th Century French Modern Pierre Sterlé Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s Italian Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Coral, Silver, Rose Gold, 9k Gold
20th Century French Contemporary Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Pierre Sterlé Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Contemporary Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
20th Century Artisan Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
2010s Italian Artist Pierre Sterlé Rings
Aquamarine, Kunzite, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Coral, Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Artisan Pierre Sterlé Rings
Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pierre Sterlé Rings
Platinum
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artisan Pierre Sterlé Rings
Amethyst, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s British Artisan Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Coral, Gold, 18k Gold
1950s French Modernist Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mid-20th Century French Revival Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century French Modern Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s American Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Coral m...
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
1960s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Ring is siz...