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.
Vintage Mid-Century Diamonds Brooch, 18K Gold and Platinum, France Circa 1950’s
Located in Buckingham , Buckinghamshire
An elegant and beautifully crafted French mid-century diamond brooch, executed in platinum and 18 karat yellow gold as a sculptural cascade of finely twisted gold ribbons, gracefully...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Vintage 1940s Retro Gold and 6.00 Carat Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k rose gold and platinum with Round Brilliant and Baguette cut Diamond weighing approximately a total of 6.00 carats. Circa 1940s 3 1/2 x 1 3/4 inches
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
1950s French 1.25 Carat Diamonds Platinum 18 Karat Yellow Gold Retro Brooch
Located in Poitiers, FR
Brooch in 18 karat yellow gold, eagle's head hallmark and platinum. Superb slender retro brooch, the mounting is made of knotted gold threads like a sheaf set with a line of diamonds...
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
1930's Vintage 18 Karat / 14 Karat Diamond Pin 16.00 Cttw
Located in Chicago, IL
This pin is made of a combination of 18k and 14k white gold. It weighs 21.30 DWT (approx. 33.13 grams). It contains 36 G color diamonds, weighing 3.00 CTTW. 68 single cut G color dia...
Diamond, 14k Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1970s Gold and 5.00 carat Diamond Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in in 18k yellow gold with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 5.00 carats. Circa 1970s 3 x 1 1/8 inches
Diamond, 18k Gold
Merrin Platinum and 18K Yellow Gold Diamond Brooch
By Merrin
Located in Great Neck Plaza, NY
A bold and sculptural creation by Merrin, this vintage brooch is crafted in a dynamic swirl motif, set in platinum and 18K yellow gold. The piece showcases approximately 8.52 carats ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Platinum
Gubelin Diamonds Platinum Brooch Yellow Gold Swiss, 1950
By Gubelin
Located in Herzelia, Tel Aviv
Gubelin Platinum and Yellow Gold Diamond Wheat Brooch, Switzerland. 1950. A beautiful and elegant post-war brooch, created in Zurich, Switzerland, by the renowned house of Gübelin ...
Diamond, Yellow Gold, Platinum
W 1.78 in L 3.15 in
Brooch diamonds 1940 in 18 Karat White Gold and 7 Carat of Diamonds
Located in Paris, FR
Exceptional Diamond Brooch stylized shape of a Knot around 1940-1950 in 18 kt white Gold and Diamonds. Vibrant Knot shape with three articulated flexible Stems in the Center, one se...
Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Vintage 1950s Gold Brooch with 1.20 Carat Diamonds
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold with 22 Round Brilliant cut Diamonds weighing approximately a total of 1.20 carats. Circa 1950s 2 1/2 x 1 inch
Diamond, 18k Gold
Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold 1960's Spray of Diamonds 8.50cts Fluted Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Platinum & 18K Yellow Gold 1960's Spray Of Diamonds 8.50cts Fluted Brooch. L: 6cm W: 5.6cm Double pin closuser.
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Cartier Diamond and Gold Brooch
By Cartier
Located in New York, NY
A French 1950's 18 karat gold brooch with diamonds by Cartier. The highly stylized brooch appears to be caught in motion, as a bouquet of gold ribs makes an elegant, diamond-crowned ...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Gold
Tiffany & Co. Edwardian Diamond Crescent Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This diamond crescent brooch by Tiffany & Co. New York dates from circa 1890-1900. The delicate crescent is set with 21 old European and old mine-cut diamonds mounted in platinum-topped gold. Set with fine, well-cut diamonds in a minimum of platinum and gold, this heavenly crescent was divinely shaped and executed by Tiffany & Co. designers and artisans. Product Details: Item #: BO-21317 Artist: Tiffany & Co. Country: United States Circa: 1890-1900 Dimensions: 2.75" length, 1" width. Materials: 21 old European and old mine-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 9.20 carats): Platinum-topped 18K gold mount Signed: Tiffany & Co. Macklowe Gallery Curator's Notes: Throughout the 19th century, British astronomers made many advances, building on the enormous base of precise observations provided to them by their predecessors in the 1700s. Using the new technique of spectroscopy, they worked to determine the composition of heavenly bodies, while breakthroughs in understanding the geology of the earth -many made by passionate amateur scientists as diverse as surveyors and Anglican clergy - helped them discover the facts about the nature of the moon and newly discovered planets. It was in fact an Anglican priest who first advanced his well-supported theory that the earth was indeed more than a billion years old. Astonishing early imaging of the moon, as well as the appearance of the Great Comets of 1843 and 1882 that remained for months burning in the sky above England, helped stoke popular fascination with heavenly bodies. Star, crescent, sunburst and comet jewelry...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Platinum
Tiffany & Co. Diamond Bow Brooch
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Dating from circa 1997, this 18K gold Tiffany & Co. bow brooch is set with over 7 carats of diamonds. It is designed as a highly three dimensional bow of five loops pavé-set througho...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Edwardian Diamond Snake Barrette
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This Tiffany & Co. diamond and ruby snake barrette mounted in platinum and gold was created in the Edwardian era. The undulating, arched shape designed as two snakes with ruby eyes p...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Platinum
E. M. Gattle & Co. 1920s Art Deco Diamond and Platinum Brooch
Located in New York, NY
An American Art Deco platinum brooch with diamonds by E. M. Gattle & Co. The brooch has 168 old European-cut diamonds with an approximate total weight of 4.50 carats, and 5 square-cu...
White Diamond, Diamond, Platinum
Oscar Heyman Mid-Century Diamond Earrings
By Oscar Heyman
Located in New York, NY
Created in 1952, these Oscar Heyman Mid-century platinum clip earrings are set with over six carats of diamonds. Each earring centers a pear-shape diamond, total weight 2.98 carats, ...
Diamond
After the style icon wore these jewels on the red carpet, we can't blame her for wanting to keep them.
The designer takes inspiration from the natural world (like glaciers and sea life) to create one-of-a-kind pieces made the old-fashioned way.
