Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
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.
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Creator: Ella Gafter
Ella Gafter Tahitian Black Pearl Strand Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The Tahitian pearl necklace is composed of 37 pearls for a total elegant length of 18”. The pearls originate from the waters of Tahiti. Their diameter range is 12.5-11mm. They feature thick healthy nacre, very slight graduation, beautiful homogeneous color hues and a lovely lustre. The pearls were extracted from Pinctada Margaritifera shells (“black-lipped mother of pearl”) and are being delivered to the customer with their natural color and luster. The clasp is hand made in 18 carat white gold in our own workshop in Italy, according to an original Ellagem design. It is decorated with round diamonds.
Ella Gafter is recognized as one of the world’s leading pearl jewelers. An extraordinary corsage brooch by Ella Gafter is prominently and permanently displayed in the new Hall of Gems and Minerals in the American Museum of Natural History...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Tahitian Pearl Diamond Ruby Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a fine, very large Tahitian Pearl of approximately 18mm x 16mm size. The pearl is untreated. It displays a splendid nacre and its natural color and luster have n...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter South Sea Pearl Diamond Pendant Chain Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a splendid Australian South Sea Pearl of the exceptional size of 18 x 17mm. The pearl is untreated. It displays a beautiful nacre and its natural color and luste...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Tahitian Pearl Diamond Turquoise Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a fine, large Tahitian Pearl of approximately 16mm x 15mm size. The pearl is untreated. It displays a splendid nacre and its natural color and luster have not be...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Black Pearl, Turquoise, Pearl, Gold, 18k Gold, W...
Ella Gafter Ruby Diamond Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The ruby and diamond necklace is constituted by faceted rubies of homogeneously brilliant quality, especially cut from larger heated Mozambique rough to obtain the sizes necessary f...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Emerald Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features faceted Zambian emeralds suspending a lovely 16.5mm South Sea pearl. The pendant is accompanied by an 20” 18 carat gold chain decorated with 8 motifs set with em...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Emerald, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Diamond Ruby Pearl Lariat Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The lariat chain is interleaved with sections of calibrated faceted rubies (6.30 carats) and further decorated with diamonds (0.50 carats).
The chain suspends 2 glorious drop-shape T...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Diamond Sapphire Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a lovely 16.5mm pearl of splendid nacre and lustre. It suspends a cascade of briolette sapphires of pastel colors for an approximate weight of 12 carats. The des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The necklace features 71.47 carats of brilliant faceted blue sapphires of oval cut laying perfectly on the neck. The splendid sapphires are interleaved with round diamonds of top qua...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ella Gafter Art Déco style Pearl Diamond Onyx Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
This pendant features a fine, sizeable Australian South Sea Pearl of approximately 18mm x 15.5mm size. The pearl is untreated. It displays a splendid nacre and its natural color and ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Yellow Sapphire Diamond Pearl Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The necklace features 90.91 carats of brilliant faceted yellow sapphires of oval cut slightly graduated to lay perfectly on the neck. The sapphires are interleaved with round diamond...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ella Gafter Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a 15mm South Sea pearl with a crown of round diamonds set en pave (0.45 carats) suspending 5 multicolor sapphire briolettes of lovely pastel colors. The pendant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ella Gafter Triple-Strand Tahitian Pearl Ruby Necklace Set
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The 231 pearls composing the necklace set originate from the waters of Tahiti. Their diameter range is 12-10mm. They feature thick healthy nacre, beautiful homogeneous color hues and...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Black Pearl, Ruby, Diamond, 18k Gold
Ella Gafter Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The art déco inspired diamond pendant necklace features a cluster of diamonds, both white and of fancy colors suspending an oval shap...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
South Sea Pearl, Yellow Diamond, White Diamond, Diamond, White Gold, 18k...
Ella Gafter Diamond Sapphire Pearl Tassel Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond, sapphire and pearl chandelier pendant features a cascade with 6 South Sea pearls of 11mm diameter.
The untreated South Sea pearls display a beautiful nacre and their na...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold, Wh...
Ella Gafter Ruby Diamond Necklace Earrings Chandelier Set
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The chandelier ruby and diamond necklace and earrings set is constituted by faceted heated rubies of homogeneously brilliant...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Yellow Sapphire Diamond Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The yellow sapphire and diamond pendant features a spray of marquise shape faceted sapphires spangled with a crown of round diamonds. The jewel suspends a South Sea pearl of the rare...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, Yellow Sapphire, 18k Gold
Ella Gafter Diamond Tahitian Pearl Tassel Chain Drop Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and pearl chandelier pendant features a cascade with 6 Tahitian pearls of 11mm diameter.
The untreated pearls display a beautiful nacre and their natural color and high ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, White Diamond, Pearl, Black Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Sapphire Diamond South Sea Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pendant features a golden South Sea pearl with a crown of round diamonds set en pave (0.75 carats) suspending 7 multicolor sapphire briolettes of lovely pastel colors (7.50 cara...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, South Sea Pearl, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond necklace features a lustrous South Sea pearl of 18.5/16.5mm diameter from the waters of Northwestern Australia, cradled in a gold design set with round diamonds and mothe...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Crystal, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White...
Ella Gafter Pearl Diamond Bow Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The elegant South Sea pearl and diamond bow pendant features 3 articulated sections set with 2.65 carats of round diamonds suspending a gem 17mm So...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Diamond, Pearl, Crystal, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White...
Ella Gafter 17mm South Sea Pearl Diamond Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pearl and diamond pendant features a spray of drop shape and marquise diamonds (7.87 carats) suspending a 16.5 x 17mm South Sea pearl. The lat...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, South Sea Pearl, Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold, White Gold
Ella Gafter Pearl Pink Sapphire Diamond Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The pink sapphire pendant features a spray of marquise shape faceted sapphires spangled with round diamonds. The jewel suspends a splendid South Sea pearl...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Pink Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond,...
Ella Gafter Ruby Diamond Star Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and ruby necklace features at the center a South Sea pearl of 13.5mm diameter. The pearl is untreated and its natural color and luster have not been enhanced in any way. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Diamond, Ruby, South Sea Pearl, Onyx, White Diamond, 18k Gold, Ye...
Ella Gafter Sapphire Lavender Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The lavender sapphire and diamond necklace features a spray of marquise shape faceted sapphires spangled with a crown of round diamonds. The jewel suspends an intermediary South Sea ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Pearl, Blue Diamond, Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, Black Pearl, White Diamo...
Ella Gafter Blue Sapphire Diamond Pearl Pendant Necklace
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond pendant features an arrangement of oval shape faceted sapphires accented with a crown of round diamonds. The jewel suspends a splendid South Sea pearl o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Artist Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
Sapphire, Pearl, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, South Sea Pearl, White Diamond,...
Ella Gafter Black Pearl Pendant
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
This Tahitian pearl pendant necklace features a pearl of approximately 14 x 15mm size from the waters of French Polynesia. The pearl is untreated. It displays a lovely nacre. Its natural color and luster have not been enhanced in any way.
The pearl is completely exposed and connected to a flower-like design suspended from a decorative ruby bead. The pendant is accompanied by an 18” white gold chain...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Contemporary Ella Gafter Drop Necklaces
Materials
White Diamond, Black Pearl, Ruby, 18k Gold, White Gold
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Ella Gafter drop necklaces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a range of Ella Gafter drop necklaces available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Ella Gafter jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Ella Gafter diamond drop necklaces, from our inventory of 28, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 28 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Ella Gafter drop necklaces can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,800 and tops out at $180,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $34,000.