Ella Gafter Turtle Brooch Diamond Sapphire
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:18k Gold,White Gold
- Stone:White Diamond,Diamond,Blue Sapphire,Sapphire
- Stone Cut:Round Cut
- Weight:55 g
- Dimensions:Width: 2 in (50.8 mm)Depth: 0.63 in (16.01 mm)Length: 3 in (76.2 mm)
- Style:Artist
- Place of Origin:Italy
- Period:21st Century
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:
Ella Gafter
Even before Ella Gafter founded her namesake jewelry collection in 1982, she was a formidable presence in the jewelry industry.
As a Rome-based gem dealer, Gafter sold pearls and precious stones to retailers and jewelers but was often dissatisfied with how they made use of the rare materials she worked so hard to source. Instead of grousing, she decided to design jewels that would do them justice, focusing primarily on pearls — akoya, Tahitian and South Sea. She explains her fascination with the lustrous marine treasures simply: “Every woman looks better with pearls than without.”
Her daughter Talila Gafter, then an undergrad at Harvard, was her ally in getting the project off the ground. Together, they made the rounds to stores with Ella’s first efforts. “We had a little pouch with eight pieces and we sold everything,” Talila tells 1stDibs. After graduation, she “was involved one hundred percent” in building the company, whose pieces are handmade by master jewelers in Naples.
The designer insists that her unwavering focus is the source of her success. “There’s no compromising for me,” she says. She’s been known to replace the pearls in a single piece time after time until she’s certain she’s achieved her ideal result. “A pearl you have to respect,” she explains. “You have to put it where it wants to sit.”
Ella describes the collaboration with her daughter as a “partnership,” with each having her own domain. “I’m all fantasy; Talila is the concrete one,” she says. The company is now based in New York City, with Talila as its president while Ella is firmly at the helm of creative decisions. “I’ve never made a design suggestion to Ella,” says Talila. “Nobody does.”
That forbearance has been earned, says Talila. “I admire that Ella doesn’t take no for an answer, her tenacity, her extraordinary ambition. She believes as long as there is life, there is a lot of beauty to create. She’s a force of nature.”
Find Ella Gafter earrings, rings, necklaces and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Ella Gafter
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Ella Gafter Pearl Sapphire Diamond Turtle Pin BroochBy Ella GafterLocated in New York, NYThis three-dimensional diamond turtle brooch features a carapace decorated with tinted New Zealand paua shell (abalone) topped by transparent crystal, lending the jewel a distinctly...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Pearl, Diamond, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire,...
- Ella Gafter Turtle Brooch Diamond EmeraldBy Ella GafterLocated in New York, NYThis emerald and diamond turtle brooch features a three-dimensional carapace decorated with tinted New Zealand paua shell (abalone) topped by transparent crystal, lending the jewel a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches
MaterialsEmerald, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Ella Gafter Sapphire Diamond Butterfly Brooch PinBy Ella GafterLocated in New York, NYThis butterfly brooch features an oval cut faceted Ceylon blue sapphire of 2.40 carats. The slightly flexible wings are set with custom cut tinted quartz. The design is complete with...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Ella Gafter Sapphire Diamond Cornucopia Brooch PinBy Ella GafterLocated in New York, NYThe diamond and sapphire brooch features a spray of brilliant faceted Ceylon sapphires of various shapes and colors weighing a total of 48.16 carats. The harmonious bouquet is compl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches
MaterialsSapphire, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, White ...
- Ella Gafter Dolphin Sapphire Diamond Pin BroochBy Ella GafterLocated in New York, NYThe dolphin brooch springs up from the sea and creates a diamond wave and mist with 5.56 carats of faceted blue Ceylon sapphire. The three-dimensional body is decorated with tinted N...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Crystal, Diamond, Sapphire, White Gold, 18...
- Ella Gafter Dragonfly Brooch Pin Sapphire DiamondsBy Ella GafterLocated in New York, NYThis dragonfly brooch features a voluminous Australian South Sea Pearl of 18.5mm diameter. The pearl is untreated. It displays a splendid nacre and its natural color and luster have ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Go...
- 18K White Gold Turtle Blue Sapphire and Diamond BroochLocated in Hong Kong, HK18K White Gold Turtle Blue Sapphire and Diamond Brooch 44 Blue Sapphires - 0.36 CT 10 Diamonds - 0.08 CT 2 Rubies - 0.01 CT 18K White Gold - 3.90 GM...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Cartier Adorable Diamond Sapphire Gold Turtle BroochBy CartierLocated in New York, NYAdorable 18k gold Cartier turtle brooch, set with sapphire eyes and approx. 1.10ctw G/VS diamonds. Brooch measures 37mm x 25mm. Marked Cartier, 7...Category
20th Century French Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, Gold
- Diamond Turtle BroochLocated in New York, NYTurtle brooch. finely crafted in 18 k yellow gold, with brilliant cut diamonds, weighing a total of approximately 9.00 carat and round cut emeralds on th...Category
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
- 14 Natural Sapphires and Diamonds White Gold Turtle BroochBy LischettiLocated in Roma, ITExquisite handcrafted turtle brooch set with 14 natural beautiful Sapphires, "Dolce vita" style!Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Retro Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, White Gold
- 18K Rose Gold Turtle Mixed Colored Diamond and Pink Sapphire BroochBy Althoff JewelryLocated in Hong Kong, HK18K Rose Gold Turtle Mixed Diamond and Pink Sapphire Brooch 10 Mixed Colored Diamonds - 0.08 CT 2 Green Garnets - 0.01 CT 23 Pink Sapphires - 0.20 CT 21 Rubies - 0.16 CT 18K Rose Go...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Brooches
MaterialsGarnet, Ruby, Pink Sapphire, Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Boucheron Enamel and Diamond Turtle BroochBy BoucheronLocated in New Orleans, LARich red enamel etched in a striking tortoiseshell pattern distinguishes this charming turtle brooch by legendary French jeweler Boucheron. The shell is accented by dozens of sparkli...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Enamel