Pierre Sterlé Cocktail 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.
20th Century French Renaissance Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Modernist Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Emerald, White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
20th Century French Modern Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Retro Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Opal, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold, White Gold
1960s American Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s Brazilian Contemporary Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Multi-gemstone, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Coral, Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Unknown Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold
1950s Greek Revival Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s American Post-War Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Natural Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gol...
1930s Unknown Victorian Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, Emerald, Yellow Gold, 10k Gold
Mid-20th Century Unknown Modern Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Coral, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
2010s American Contemporary Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Amethyst, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s American Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s French Vintage Pierre Sterlé Cocktail Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
Coral m...