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.
18K Gold Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Nine-Row Wave Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Venice, CA
This 18k gold Tiffany & Co. bracelet was designed by Elsa Peretti and is composed of nine wire bands that connect seamlessly in a fluid form reminiscent of ocean waves. The band...
18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
An authentic Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti “Diamonds by the Yard” bracelet crafted in solid 18K yellow gold, hallmarked 750, Tiffany & Co., Peretti, and Spain. This elegant minimalist d...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Someret 18K Yellow Gold Wide Mesh Bracelet- 90.7 g
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An Iconic Tiffany & Co. Someret bracelet crafted in luxurious 18K yellow gold. This elegant wide mesh design showcases the collection's signature woven construction offering exce...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$3,250
W 0.23 in L 6.51 in
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Color by the Yard Sapphire Bracelet Platinum 6.5 In
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Color by the Yard bracelet in platinum, featuring five round sapphires bezel-set along a fine chain, totaling approximately 0.55 carats. Bezel diameter...
Sapphire, Platinum
$1,095Sale Price|20% Off
L 7.09 in
Tiffany & Co. 18ct Rose Gold Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet 0.07ct
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in SYDNEY, NSW
This elegant Tiffany & Co. Diamonds by the Yard® bracelet by Elsa Peretti is crafted in luxurious 18ct rose gold and features a delicate bezel-set round brilliant cut diamond wit...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Tiffany & Co. T Square Bracelet 18k Rose Gold with Box
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
This bold bracelet exudes sophistication. As multifaceted as it is iconic, the Tiffany T collection is a tangible reminder of the connections we f...
Rose Gold
TIFFANY & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Double Open Heart Bangle Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
TIFFANY & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Double Open Heart Bangle Bracelet Metal: 18K Gold Weight: 11.0 grams Size: Medium Hallmark: "TIFFANY & CO. ©PERETTI 750 SPAIN" Conditio...
18k Gold
Sold|$11,166
W 0.31 in L 2.76 in
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Aegean 18K Yellow Gold Toggle Link Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti
Located in Morris Plains, NJ
A bold and iconic Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Aegean Toggle Bracelet, crafted in rich 18K yellow gold. This highly collectible designer piece exemplifies Peretti’s signature s...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Red Lacquer Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Red Lacquer Bracelet PRIMARY DETAILS SKU: 153663 Listing Title: Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Red Lacquer Bracelet Condition Description: Italian j...
Vintage 1990s Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 18k yellow gold. Signed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. Circa 1990s Size 7 1/2 inches
18k Gold
Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Five Row Wave Bracelet for Tiffany & Co.
By Elsa Peretti
Located in New Hope, PA
Elsa Peretti designed this fluid Five Row Wave bracelet for Tiffany & Co using 18 karat gold and a design that brings to mind ocean waves, at the start of her partnership with Ti...
18k Gold
TIFFANY & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Starfish Charm Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
TIFFANY & Co. Elsa Peretti 18K Gold Starfish Charm Bracelet Metal: 18K Gold Weight: 9.20 grams Length: 7" Starfish charm: 16mm wide Hallmark: TIFFANY&Co. 750 ©Elsa Peretti SPAIN Con...
18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Wave Five-Row Wire Bangle Bracelet 18K Yellow Gold
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
This authentic Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Wave five-row bangle bracelet is a breathtaking example of one of the most celebrated and iconic designs in the history of fine jewelry, featuring the legendary Wave collection's signature fluid, undulating form that has captivated collectors and jewelry lovers worldwide since its creation. The bracelet consists of five slim, gently curved bands of warm 18 karat yellow gold that flow and weave alongside one another in a graceful, organic arrangement that evokes the effortless movement of a wave on water. Each individual band curves and undulates with a beautifully fluid quality, and together the five bands create a wide, sculptural composition on the wrist that is simultaneously bold and delicate, substantial and airy. The polished yellow gold surface of each band catches light with a warm, glowing luminosity that shifts and moves beautifully as the bracelet drapes naturally on the wrist. The genius of Elsa Peretti's design lies in its perfect balance of simplicity and sophistication — the Wave bangle achieves an extraordinary visual impact through pure form alone, with no gemstones or ornamentation required to make it one of the most recognizable and coveted designs in the Tiffany archive. The five-row configuration gives the bracelet a generous, layered presence on the wrist that feels both modern and timelessly elegant. The warm 18 karat yellow gold construction speaks to the exceptional quality and enduring value of this iconic piece. Rare, iconic, and deeply collectible, this Elsa Peretti Wave bangle...
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$16,500
W 2.63 in Dm 2.75 in
Elsa Peretti For Tiffany & Co. Interlocking Jade and 18K gold Bangle Bracelet
By Angela Cummings for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Austin, TX
A celebrated design by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., this elegant interlocking bracelet amplifies Peretti's enduring vision of organic form, purity of line, and sculptural simp...
Jade, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Small Elsa Peretti Left Wrist Bone Cuff Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Banbury, GB
SKU 33300633 Comes With Box Only RRP £1,625 Incl. Taxes / €2,000 Incl. Taxes / $1,700 Excl. Taxes Model Elsa Peretti Metal Sterling Sliver Weight Approximately 60.34 g Condition Exce...
Sterling Silver
Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet in Platinum
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Honolulu, HI
This beautiful diamond studded bracelet has 3 brilliant cut bezel set round diamonds. The diamonds on the pendant are F-G color, VS clarity and weight 0.15 carats. This bracelet is c...
Diamond, Platinum
Sold
H 2.56 in W 2.28 in L 7 in
Tiffany & Co By Elsa Peretti Rare Vintage Medium Right Bone Cuff Sterling Silver
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage right cuff designed by Elsa Peretti (1940-2021) for Tiffany & Co. This sculptural cuff is one of the most iconic designs, created by Peretti for the Tiffany studios and from...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany and Co Red Lacquer Bangle Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Elsa Peretti for Tiffany red bangle bracelet Late 20th century Marked: Elsa Peretti / Tiffany & Co. / Japan Designed by Elsa Peretti, a lightweight ...
Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet in Platinum
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Honolulu, HI
This beautiful diamond studded bracelet has 3 brilliant cut bezel set round diamonds. The diamonds on the pendant are F-G color, VS clarity an...
Diamond, Platinum
Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet in 18k Yellow Gold
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Honolulu, HI
This beautiful diamond studded bracelet has 5 brilliant cut bezel set round diamonds. The diamonds are F-G color, VS clarity and weight 0.40 c...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Elsa Peretti Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet for Tiffany & Co.
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
This iconic charm bracelet was designed for Tiffany & Co. by one of their most prolific and beloved designers, Elsa Peretti in the 1980s. Crafted from sterling silver, the oval link ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti Gold Link Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Tiffany & Co Elsa Peretti teardrop-shaped gold link bracelet. We are here to connect you with beautiful and affordable antique and estate jewelry. SPECIFICATIONS: Contact us rig...
Gold, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Diamonds by the Yard Bracelet .09ctw
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Houston, TX
A dainty bracelet from the Elsa Peretti collection, this sterling silver bracelet features three round diamonds that sparkle as they catch the light. Wear this alone or layer with yo...
Diamond, Sterling Silver
Elsa Peretti for Halston Tiffany & Co Sterling Silver Long Bone Cuff Dated 1975
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Hope, PA
This rare small size sterling silver bone cuff was designed by Elsa Peretti for Halston in 1975 and retailed by Tiffany & Co. Made specifically for the left wrist the bump in the bra...
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Lapis Lazuli 18 Karat Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Centering a polished lapis lazuli, free-form bead measuring approximately 13.0 x 13.8 mm, royal blue with flecks of pyrite Bezel set into high polished gold with a tapering band Hi...
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Rose Gold Open Heart Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
A simple bracelet showcasing 5 rose gold open hearts evenly-spaced in an 18 karat rose gold chain. The hearts are approximately 11 millimeters wide. Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiff...
18k Gold, Rose Gold