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.
Princess Cut Diamond Ring Band Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The princess cut diamond band features symmetrically graduated rows of custom cut princess cut diamonds (7.28 carats). All Our diamonds are of top quality (color, clarity and cut, F/...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond Band Ring Square and Round Cut Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond band ring features a central row of custom cut square cut diamonds (3.15 carats, G-H color/VVS) flanked by, and set above, 1.75 carats of round diamonds. (F-G color/VVS)....
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Fancy Color and White Diamond Band Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The fancy color and white diamond band features a geometric design of fancy color princess cut diamonds (2.21 carats) against a background of 1.85 carats of round diamonds set en pav...
White Diamond, Yellow Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Emerald and Diamond Band Ring Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The emerald and diamond band features a central row of symmetrically graduated marquise-cut Zambian emeralds of brilliant color (1.18 carats) flanke...
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Emerald and Diamond Engagement Ring Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The emerald and diamond engagement ring features an emerald cut emerald of fiery color (1.65 carats) flanked by tapering rows of custom-cut baguette diamonds (1.20 carats). All our d...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold, White Gold
Emerald and Diamond Crossover Ring Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The emerald and diamond crossover ring features a faceted oval emerald of brilliant color from Zambia weighing 1.14 carats, facing an oval cut near colorless diamond weighing 1.59 ca...
White Diamond, Emerald, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
The princess cut diamond ring features a row of 6 calibrated diamonds for a tot
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The princess cut diamond ring features a row of 6 calibrated diamonds for a total weight of 1.67 carats. All our diamonds are of top quality (F/G-VVS). The ring is one-of-a-kind. I...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Diamond and Onyx Ring Art Déco Style Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The diamond and onyx ring ring features 4 large princess cut diamonds (1.01 carats total) in a custom cut black onyx frame, lending the jewel a distinctive art déco look. The design ...
Diamond, White Diamond, Onyx, 18k Gold, White Gold
Princess Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The princess cut diamond cocktail ring features a geometric design with princess cut diamonds (2.02 carats) amidst a pavé of 2.15 carats of round diamonds. All diamonds are of top qu...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
Baguette Diamond White Gold Band Ring Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The baguette diamond ring features a row of 7 symmetrically graduated custom cut diamonds for a total weight of 1.87 carats. All our diamonds are of top quality (F/G-VVS). The ring...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
Princess Cut Diamond Cocktail Ring Two Tone Gold Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The princess cut diamond cocktail ring features a central row of princess cut diamonds (1.95 carats) flanked by, and set above, 1.75 carats of round diamonds. The diamonds are of top...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold
Blue Sapphire Diamond Cocktail Ring Design by Ella Gafter
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The blue sapphire and diamond ring features 2 rows of custom cut calibrated square blue sapphires of brilliant color (3.20 carats) flanked by a row of round diamonds set en pavé (1.1...
White Diamond, Blue Sapphire, Diamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Y...
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Crossover Wide Band Ring
Located in New York, NY
This stunning 18k yellow gold ring features a wide band design that creates a unique and eye-catching look. The crossover style adds a touch of elegance and the 0.46 carats of diamon...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Emilio Jewelry Gia Certified Fancy Color Diamond Band
By Emilio!
Located in New York, NY
From Emilio Jewelry, a well known and respected wholesaler/dealer located on New York’s iconic Fifth Avenue, One of the most exotic and special rings on the market. Featuring the ra...
Blue Diamond, Pink Diamond
Cartier Princess Cut Diamond Eternity Platinum Band Ring
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
Platinum Princess Cut Diamond Eternity Band Ring by Cartier. With 32 round brilliant cut diamonds VVS1 clarity, E color total weight approximately 1.72ct This ring comes with Cartie...
Diamond, Platinum
$1,392 / item
Design Diamond Wedding Band Ring
By De Maria fine&antique jewelry
Located in Napoli, NA
An extraordinary collection for both men and women, Classic and elegant wedding band ring. Textured edges add a modern touch to this design. It is s...
Diamond, 18k Gold
0.75cttw Prong Set Round Cut Diamond Three Row Band Ring 14k White Gold
Located in New York, NY
This stunning three row diamond band ring features sparkling round brilliant cut diamonds in prong setting. Crafted in highly polished 14K ...
Diamond, 14k Gold, White Gold
Princess Cut Five Diamond Band
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Material: 18k white gold Diamond Details: Approximately 1.25ctw of princess cut diamonds (5 total). Diamonds are G/H in color and VS in clarity Ring Size: 5.75 (can be sized) Ring Me...
Diamond, White Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
$1,531 / item
Design Diamond Wedding Band Ring
By De Maria fine&antique jewelry
Located in Napoli, NA
An extraordinary collection for both men and women, Classic and elegant wedding band ring. Textured edges add a modern touch to this design. It is s...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Edwardian Emerald and Diamond Crossover Ring, circa 1915
Located in London, GB
Edwardian emerald and diamond crossover ring. Set to centre with a single square emerald-cut natural Colombian emerald with no colour enhancement and minor clarity enhancement in an ...
Diamond, Emerald, Platinum
$1,531 / item
Design Diamond Wedding Band Ring
By De Maria fine&antique jewelry
Located in Napoli, NA
An extraordinary collection for both men and women, Classic and elegant wedding band ring. Textured edges add a modern touch to this design. It is s...
Diamond, 18k Gold
$1,368Sale Price / item|20% Off
Alternate Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring for Her in 18k Solid Yellow Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Alternate Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring for Her in 18K Gold featuring natural emerald of 1.02 carats and diamonds of 0.37 carats. The gorgeous handcrafted ring goes with every sty...
Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$1,071Sale Price / item|20% Off
0.31 Ct Baguette Emerald 18K Gold with Genuine Diamonds Engagement Ring
By Oshi Jewels
Located in Bangkok, TH
A lightweight and gorgeous emerald ring with sparkly diamonds all over is a beautiful engagement ring. Minimalist yet statement ring is made in Solid gold, Genuine emerald, and diamo...
Diamond, Emerald, 18k Gold
$2,376Sale Price / item|20% Off
Diamond and Natural Emerald Engagement Band Ring in 14k Solid White Gold
By VR Jewels
Located in New York, NY
Emerald three stone engagement ring in 14k gold with diamonds which perfectly goes with your personality and also helps you in lear...
Diamond, Emerald, White Gold, 14k Gold, Gold
Ella Gafter Diamond Band Ring
By Ella Gafter
Located in New York, NY
The band features a central row of baguette diamonds (0.50 carats) amidst a symmetrical design of round diamonds (2.25 carats). All Our diamonds are of top quality (color, clarity an...
White Diamond, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold