Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Monumental Teardrop Earrings in Gold
View Similar Items
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Monumental Teardrop Earrings in Gold
About the Item
- Creator:
- Metal:
- Weight:14.3 g
- Dimensions:Length: 1.5 in (38.1 mm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1970s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Litchfield, CT
- Reference Number:Seller: 182181stDibs: LU2301181152
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
In an era of social upheaval, venerable Tiffany & Co. designer Elsa Peretti reimagined diamonds as jewelry that working women bought for themselves rather than receiving it from a suitor.
By the time the Italian-born Peretti (1940–2021) arrived in New York City, she’d already studied design in Rome, worked for a Milanese architect and taught Italian, French and skiing in Switzerland. She settled on interior design as her potential career path but then chose an altogether different route: modeling. Peretti modeled in Barcelona, Spain, and on the advice of Wilhelmina Cooper — a former model who’d by then founded Wilhelmina Modeling Agency — moved to Manhattan in 1968. When she relocated, Peretti was inspired to pick up jewelry design.
After modeling for designer Halston, the undisputed fashion king of Studio 54, Peretti became his close friend and collaborator, eventually creating jewelry and teardrop-shaped perfume bottles for him. By way of her association with Halston, Peretti took to the disco scene, flourishing in a social circle that included artist Andy Warhol and fashion designer Giorgio di Sant’Angelo.
It wasn’t long before models on di Sant’Angelo’s runway were donning two-inch sterling-silver vases, complete with a rose stem, suspended on leather thongs around their necks. The accessory was Peretti’s inaugural piece of jewelry — she designed it in 1969 after finding a flower vase at a flea market. It was hardly the only time that Peretti found motifs in nature and in organic forms. In the years that followed, her Bean pendant necklace, Starfish earrings and other sensuous accessories would draw on human emotion as well as the natural world around her. Each evocative and wholly versatile design is universally adored decades later, and each was made for a storied American jewelry house with which Peretti would be associated for nearly 50 years.
It was Halston who introduced Peretti to Tiffany & Co. She had her own boutique at Bloomingdale’s by 1972, and her partnership with the firm, which signed the venturesome and unorthodox designer to an exclusive contract in 1974, would cement her place in the lofty annals of jewelry legend. Peretti’s simple but sophisticated designs — the Teardrop collection, her minimalist Diamonds by the Yard necklace and Open Heart ring, to name a few — elevated sterling silver, previously considered unsuitable for fine jewelry, and created an enthusiastic young audience for Tiffany’s offerings. In 1977, Peretti’s designs earned the jewelry house more than $6 million. (In some years, her work has accounted for 10 percent of the company’s sales.)
In 2012, Peretti signed a 20-year, $47.3 million contract with Tiffany & Co., but she passed away in 2021, at age 80. Today, her designs are in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and the British Museum.
Find an exquisite collection of Elsa Peretti jewelry today on 1stDibs.
- Platinum Diamonds by the Yard Sprinkle Necklace by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & CoBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in Litchfield, CTCirca 1980s, Platinum, by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. New York. This Diamonds by the Yard necklace is a fine example of Poretti's iconic Tiffany design. Uncommon in platinum, it is set with 3.0 carats of F-G colored, VS clarity diamonds (12 stones). Worn long, doubled, or as part of a multiples look, it stands out as exceptional fashion Tiffany style. Excellent condition. Quote: “I wanted to make diamonds a little more casual. -Elsa Peretti" Remark: “Only Tiffany can...Category
Vintage 1980s American Link Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, Platinum
- Tiffany & Co. Larger Yellow Gold Vannerie EarringsBy Tiffany & Co.Located in Litchfield, CTCirca 1980s, 18k, by Tiffany & Co. When you look up "well dressed" in the dictionary, THESE are the earrings in the picture! The Vannerie collection is smart, well-tailored jewelry fashion at its Tiffany & Co. wearable best. As with all Tiffany jewelry, they are beautifully made. Comes with authentic Tiffany box...Category
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the YardBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in Litchfield, CTCirca 2000s, 18k, Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., New York. Diamonds by the Yard is one of Elsa Peretti's most iconic designs for Tiffany. Infinitely wearable at sixteen and a half inches long and set with 1.25 carats of fine white diamonds (5 Stones, F color VS clarity), this eighteen-karat yellow gold necklace is gorgeous. Well-made to Tiffany's high standards, it is in excellent condition. Remark: “Only Tiffany can...Category
2010s American Chain Necklaces
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Paul Binder Gold EarringsBy Paul BinderLocated in Litchfield, CTCirca 1970s, 18k, by Paul Binder, Switzerland. These gloriously chic yellow gold earrings by Paul Binder feature diagonal lines crossing a polished gold landscape. Meticulously fabri...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Persian Turquoise and Gold EarringsLocated in Litchfield, CTCirca 1980s, 18k, by Forley, American. These earrings embody, fabulous eighties fashion! The look is fresh and colorful, a brushstroke of gold dotted with turquoise. The scale is bol...Category
Vintage 1980s American Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsTurquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
- Elizabeth Gage Gold Doubloon EarringsBy Elizabeth GageLocated in Litchfield, CTCirca 1996, 18k, by Elizabeth Gage, London. Iconically Elizabeth Gage, these amazing earrings feature original 400-year-old gold doubloons (pirate gold)...Category
1990s English Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsCultured Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Quadrifoglio EarringsBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in Indianapolis, INThe Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Quadrifoglio Earrings in Silver are an exquisite and elegant accessory that exudes timeless charm. Designed by renowned jewelry designer Elsa Peretti, ...Category
2010s Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsSilver
- Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Gold Large Bean EarringsBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYPair of iconic Bean earrings, large size, crafted in 18k gold by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Earrings come in T & Co box. Measure 25mm x 21mm. Marked: Tiffany & Co, 18k, Peretti. ...Category
20th Century Italian Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold
- Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Full Heart EarringsBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYFinley crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Made in Spain 1 inch diameterCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold
- Tiffany & Co. 18 Karat Gold Elsa Peretti “Bean” EarringsBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in Palm Desert, CATiffany & Co. 18k Yellow Gold Elsa Peretti “Bean” Earrings. Elsa Peretti's sensual, organic shapes delight the eye. Peretti explores nature ...Category
1990s French Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
- Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Gold Heart Ear ClipsBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in New York, NYElsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. gold heart ear clips Heart shaped, 18 karat yellow gold; marked Tiffany & Co., Peretti, 18kt Size: width 2.1 cm, length 2 cm...Category
1990s Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
MaterialsGold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- TIFFANY & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Free Form Earrings MediumBy Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.Located in Los Angeles, CATIFFANY & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Free Form Earrings Medium Metal: 18K yellow gold Weight: 9.80 grams Measurement: 16mm high X 14mm wide, medium size Hallmark: ©TIFFANY&CO. Elsa P...Category
2010s American Clip-on Earrings
Materials18k Gold