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.
Diamond Bracelet with Mother of Pearl Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond bracelet features gold sections set with custom cut mother of pearl, lending the jewel a distinctive art déco look, interleaved with sections set with round diamonds for ...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Bracelet with Mother of Pearl Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond bracelet features gold sections set with custom cut mother of pearl, lending the jewel a distinctive art déco look, interleaved with sections set with round diamonds for ...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Bracelet with Mother of Pearl Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond bracelet features gold sections set with custom cut mother of pearl, lending the jewel a distinctive art déco look, interleaved with sections set with round diamonds for ...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
South Sea Pearl and Diamond Bracelet Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The South Sea pearl and diamond bracelet features eight Australian pearls separated by eight crosslet motifs in white gold. The untreated South Sea pearls all measure approximately 1...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Bracelet Frosted Crystal Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond bracelet features 8 gold sections set with custom cut crystal, lending the jewel a distinctly art déco look, connected by bridges set with round diamonds for a total weig...
Crystal, Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Golden Pearl and Diamond Bracelet Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The golden South Sea pearl and diamond bracelet features eight pearls separated by eight crosslet motifs in white gold. The untreated pearls all measure approximately 13mm by 14mm in...
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
0.75 Carat Diamond & Pearl Open Cuff Bracelet 18 Karat in Stock
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Material: 18k White gold Diamond Details: Approx. 0.75ctw of round cut Diamonds. Diamonds are G/H in color and VS in clarity Measurements: 63mm x 7mm x 55mm Will fit up to a 6.5" wri...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold White Diamond Mother of Pearl Double Bracelet
By Vitale 1913
Located in Monte-Carlo, MC
18K white gold bracelet is from our Sirène collection. This beautiful double bracelet had an elegant round pendant made of mother of pearl in total of 1 Carat surrounded by natural colorless diamonds in total of 0.3 Carat. Total metal weight is 6 gr . The bracelet is 17 cm long. Perfect for any day! The Sirène collection is inspired by the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea that surround us in our beautiful Principality of Monaco and the pearls that reminds to the mother of pearl. The Sirène collection highlights to the mesmerizing, majestic and mysterious creatures hidden in the abysals with a strong seduction power thanks to the legendary sirens’ song.This collection celebrates an ephemeral beauty that makes all generations dream through the tales of Andersen with Ariel The Little Mermaid up to the mythical film Pirate of the Caribbean...
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 Karat White Gold Bracelet with Brilliant Cut Diamonds and Pearls
Located in Antwerp, BE
18kt solid White Gold Bracelet With Brilliant Cut Diamonds and Pearls Amazing craftsmanship and stunning bracelet . Diamonds: Brilliant cut diamonds together Ca. 5.88 ct. Pearls:...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
18 kt. White Gold Akoya Pearl Bracelet with 6.52 ct. Diamonds
Located in Antwerp, BE
Elegant and Feminine 18 kt. White Gold Akoya Pearl Bracelet with 6.52 ct. Diamonds Diamonds: Brilliant cut diamonds together approx. 6.52 ct. Pearls: 3 rows of Japanese Akoya pearl...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Mother of Pearl with Diamond Bangle set in 18K Gold Settings
By Kavant & Sharart
Located in Bangkok, 10
Mother of Pearl with Diamond 0.58 carat Bangle set in 18K Gold Settings Width: 0.6 cm Diameter: 5.5 cm The TWIST Reflection is inspired by several abstract artist and heavily by...
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
18K White Gold Link Bracelet with 10ct Round G VS Diamonds & Moonstone Gems
Located in New York, NY
Detailed Description: 172.7g Elevate your style with this stunning vintage bracelet crafted from 18 karat white gold. Adorned with a dazzling array of 100 round brilliant diamonds to...
Diamond, Moonstone, 18k Gold, White Gold
