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.
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
Georgios Collections Gold 18 Karat Diamond Double Lionheads Multi-Color Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios double Lion's head diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald Bracelet is handmade from solid 18 Karat Yellow Gold and is microscopically decorated with Granulated details....
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sa...
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
Ilias Lalaounis 1970s 22K Gold Neolithic Revival Ribbed Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Miami, FL
A rare and substantial bracelet by celebrated Greek goldsmith Ilias Lalaounis, handcrafted in richly hued 22-karat yellow gold and dating to circa 1970. Inspired by the elemental for...
22k Gold
18 K Yellow Gold Vintage Lion's Head Bangle
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
A very solid 18 K yellow Gold bangle bradelet of opposing Lion's heads. The inner diameter is 5.5 cm that will suit small to medium wrists...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis 22k Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1960s, 22k, by Ilias Lalaounis, Greece. This gold bracelet is the perfect everyday accessory. The Mycenaean lion's head motif is central to Lalaounis' most famous archeological...
22k Gold
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...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Jean Mahie 22 Karat Yellow Gold Sculpted Link Handmade Bracelet
By Jean Mahie
Located in Tampa, FL
A handmade Jean Mahie bracelet composed of textured sculptural links in 22 karat gold. This Jean Mahie bracelet captures the artist’s distinctive hand forged aesthetic, defined by richly textured surfaces and organic, asymmetric forms. Crafted in 22 karat yellow gold, the bracelet is composed of individually sculpted links joined by Mahie’s characteristic handmade oval connectors, creating a rhythmic, tactile design that feels both ancient and modern. The high-karat gold offers a deep, warm hue that accentuates the irregular contours of each link. As with all of Mahie’s work, the piece reflects a highly personal artistic process: modeled, carved, and finished by hand rather than cast from molds. The result is a bracelet with a strong sculptural presence that remains comfortable on the wrist, as shown in the accompanying wear image. Designer: Jean Mahie Metal: 22 Karat Yellow Gold Length: 6.5 Inches Weight: 38.3 grams Markings: Signed and hallmarked / 22k Condition: Excellent Why We Love It Signature Jean Mahie sculptural forms in richly toned 22k gold Handmade links with organic texture and presence A wearable example of the artist’s unmistakable design language Jean Mahie bracelet, 22k gold sculptural jewelry...
22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Ram's Head Greek Bangle 18k Yellow Gold made in Greece
Located in New York, NY
Rams Head Bangle Attributed to Lalaounis Famous Greek Designer Circa 1970's has makers mark (without his name) visible in the images 18k Yellow Gold approx 47 grams. Circumference 8...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Doris Panos 1.00 Carat Diamond Yellow Gold Link Bracelet
By Doris Panos
Located in Stamford, CT
Authentic solid 18k yellow gold Doris Panos hinged link bracelet with 1.00 carat of fine full cut diamonds. Built in catch with under side safety. 7 inches. 70 round brilliant cut ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bypass Lion Heads Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Bypass Lion Heads Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. The bracelet features rubies as eyes of the lions, accented by approximately 0.50ctw of diamonds. The bracelet has an inner circumferen...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mauboussin Diamond Link Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
By Mauboussin
Located in Dallas, TX
Mauboussin Diamond Link Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. The bracelet features approximately 2ctw of round diamonds. 6.5" Length, 0.25" Wide, 25.4 Grams
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Laura Munder Citrine Bracelet 18k Yellow Gold
By Laura Munder
Located in Dallas, TX
Laura Munder Citrine Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. The bracelet features 21 sugarloaf cabochon cut citrines. 7" Length 0.33" (8.6mm) Wide 45 Grams
Citrine, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Diamond Florets Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Diamond Florets Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. The bracelet features approximately3.40ctw of brilliant round diamonds. The bracelet is approximately 6.5 inches long, 0.50 inch wide, an...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Italian Florentine 1.60ctw Diamond Bangle 18K Yellow Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
Italian Florentine Diamond Cuff in 18K Yellow Gold. The cuff features 1.60ctw of brilliant round diamonds, G-H in color, VS clarity. The cuff is hinged and has an invisible clasp. Ab...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vhernier Olimpia Link Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
By Vhernier
Located in Dallas, TX
Vhernier Olimpia Link Bracelet in 18K Yellow Gold. The link is 7" long, 0.60" wide, and weighs 50.5 grams.
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
