Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
When it came to creating elegant jewelry out of unusual materials, Gilbert Albert was a master alchemist. Not only was he the first known jeweler to set meteorite fragments in fine jewelry, but he also crafted works from more earthly components such as sea-urchin skeletons, shark teeth, peacock feathers and fulgurites, which he placed in tubes of glass made from sand that had been struck by lightning.
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1930, Albert began training in jewelry design at the age of 15 while attending the city’s School of Industrial Arts. There, he became influenced by European abstract artists such as Piet Mondrian and Constantin Brâncusi. A decade later, luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe spotted Albert’s talents, and for the next seven years, he worked at the company as a designer, developing Patek’s signature asymmetrical timepieces.
In 1962, Albert opened his first atelier and pioneered a method for incorporating unconventional natural materials into his jewelry. Driven by a lifelong love of nature, Albert combined petrified plants, furs, feathers, dinosaur fossils and beetle exoskeletons with traditional precious metals and gemstones to make curious rings, brooches, bracelets and watches. Among his most well-known pieces are his sculptural gold clip-on earrings, pendant necklaces and interchangeable cocktail rings with removable beads.
Throughout his career, Albert’s creations have been exhibited at shows and fairs in Prague, Paris, London, Milan, Copenhagen, Antwerp, Brussels, New York, Vienna, Salzburg, Tokyo, Osaka, São Paulo, Lisbon and Dubai. He was also the first living artist since 1917 invited to display work at the Kremlin, in Moscow.
In addition to receiving numerous accolades for his jewelry designs — he won the Diamonds International Award 10 times — Albert has been recognized for his talents as an artist. In 1999, the Swiss government hired him to design the “Mass” of the Republic of Geneva. He also received the Ramsar Wetlands Conservation Award, and Geneva’s International Museum of the Reformation has one of his sculptures on permanent display.
Even after Albert’s death, in 2019, his artisanal jewelry remains highly coveted among collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of Gilbert Albert rings, necklaces and earrings.
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, Cultured Pearl, Pearl, 18k Gold, Gold
1960s Swiss Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1950s Retro Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Pearl, Emerald, Diamond, 9k Gold, Silver, Rose Gold
Early 2000s Unknown Contemporary Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Coral, Turquoise, Onyx, Malachite, Lapis Lazuli, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 1...
21st Century and Contemporary Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye, 10k Gold, Yellow Gold
1960s Unknown Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Artisan Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, White Diamond, Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
1960s Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1980s French Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye
2010s Dutch Modern Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Mid-20th Century Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, Natural Pearl, 10k Gold
1990s Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Onyx, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Silver
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Agate, Alexandrite, Amazonite, Chalcedony, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Cult...
Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Jasper, Amber,...
1960s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold
1960s American Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, South Sea Pearl
Swiss Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
1970s Vintage Gilbert Albert Fashion Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold