It’s fitting that Ilias Lalaounis (1920–2013) is the only jeweler ever inducted into the prestigious Académie des Beaux-Arts — the Greek jeweler’s creations, such as his decorative gold necklaces and rings, are less fashion adornment and more works of art.
Lalaounis was born in Athens in 1920 to a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers with origins in Delphi. Before turning to the family business, Lalaounis studied law, economics, business and music and trained with the painter Alexandros Alexandrakis. Such a well-rounded education laid the foundation for his unique approach to jewelry.
Lalaounis took the helm of his uncle’s jewelry company in 1940. The impact of the Second World War on Greece inspired the jeweler to celebrate his country’s history by reinterpreting its artifacts into new works of art. In 1957, Lalaounis founded the Greek Jewelers’ Association and exhibited at the Thessaloniki International Fair, showcasing the first of his “collections,” as he would come to define his phases of work. This, the Archaeological Collection, was informed by classical and Hellenistic history.
Lalaounis would go on to find new ways to render historic motifs in gold and gemstones after founding his namesake house in 1969. For his 1970s-era collection, Blow Up, he displayed gold pieces inspired by Minoan art on his models’ entire bodies; after opening a store in Tokyo, he presented a collection informed by Japanese art. Later, Lalaounis introduced a collection inspired by Native Americans at his Madison Avenue store in Manhattan. One of the jeweler’s most important commissions came in 1976, when he designed a collection that drew on Persian art for Empress Farah of Iran.
In 1984, Lalaounis explored his unique creative vision with a book, Metamorphoses. By the 1990s, he had stores across Europe as well as in Tokyo, Hong Kong and New York City, and his work had been exhibited at the National Museum of American History and the Penn Museum in Philadelphia, to name a few. In 1994, he founded his own eponymous museum in Athens, with a permanent collection of pieces from 45 of his collections. Lalaounis died in 2013.
Lalaounis’s research-driven approach to jewelry design gives his pieces a depth on par with any art form.
Find an ornate assortment of Ilias Lalaounis’s yellow-gold necklaces, rings and more on 1stDibs.
Greek Gold Diamond Ruby Double Headed Chimera Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
A two-headed chimera bangle bracelet made out of 18 karat yellow gold. It is sprinkled with rubies throughout, weighing approximately 2.70 carats. The n...
Diamond, Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Greece Ruby Diamond Sapphire Chimera Gold Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
18k yellow gold bracelet by Greek designer Ilias Lalaounis, featuring two large Chimera heads, adorned with rubies, sapphires and diamonds (few stones are missing). Bracelet is appro...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Gold
$9,224Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.6 in W 0.6 in Dm 2.56 in
Ilias Lalaounis Bangle Bracelet in Yellow Gold, Ruby & Sapphire
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Tampa, FL
An extremely well made bangle bracelet by iconic Greek jewelry designer Ilias Lalaounis. The bangle is expertly crafted in 18 karat yellow gold with hand applied texturing and carvin...
Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Vintage 18K Yellow Gold Double Ram Ruby Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
A remarkable vintage bracelet by renowned Greek jeweler Ilias Lalaounis, masterfully crafted in richly textured 18K yellow gold. This bold and highly sculptural design features two o...
Ruby, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold 49.80 Carats Ruby and Diamond Bangle in Contemporary Style
By Gems Paradise
Located in Jaipur, IN
18 Karat Yellow Gold 49.80 Carats Ruby and Diamond Bangle in Contemporary Style This nouveau-style blood red ruby and diamond bangle is strikingly gorgeous. The pave set round ruby bed forms the intriguing base of the bangle with the hammered yellow gold lines forming the tree branches and stem as the flowers and leaves made through mix-shaped pear and round diamonds bloom out from them magnificently. The flowers embroidered with matching pear cut solitaire diamonds with distinct placements of several round diamonds on the stems, embellish the top layer making it more magical. The flower and stem design of the bangle is inspired from the detailed special Japanese artwork...
Ruby, Diamond, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Greek Diamond Ruby Enamel Gold Chimera Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
An 18k gold Greek made Chimera bracelet, adorned with enamel, ruby eyes and approximately 0.12ctw H/VS diamonds. Bracelet will fit approximately 6.5" wrist ( small to medium size) , ...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, Enamel
Ruby and Diamond Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Ruby & Diamond Gold Bangle Bracelet 14 rubies weigh approximately 7 carats 5 baguette diamonds, 10 marquise diamonds, 25 round diamonds, 128 pave diamonds altogether weigh approxima...
Diamond, Ruby, Gold, 18k Gold
$13,920
Dm 2.41 in L 7.5 in
Georgios Collections Gold 18 Karat Diamond Double Lionheads Multi-Color Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios double Lion's head diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald Bracelet is handmade from solid 18 Karat Yellow Gold and is microscopically decorated with Granulated details....
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sa...
$15,425
W 0.99 in Dm 2.49 in
Georgios Collections 18 Karat Gold Diamond Multi-Color Lion Head Bangle Bracelet
By Georgios Collections Inc
Located in Astoria, NY
This S.Georgios designer Lion Head Bangle Cuff Bracelet is handmade from 18 Karat Yellow Gold and is microscopically carved from yellow gold in contrast with Byzantine workmanship. T...
Diamond, White Diamond, Emerald, Multi-gemstone, Ruby, Sapphire, Blue Sa...
$12,350
W 0.7 in L 6.25 in
4.00 Carat Round Brilliant H SI1 Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Title: 4.00 Carat Round Brilliant H SI1 Diamond 18 Karat Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet Style: Bangle Metal: 18 Karat Yellow Gold Gemstone 1: 4 Carat Diamond Number of Stones: 241 Color...
Diamond, 18k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Diamond Rock Crystal Yellow Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Yellow Gold Diamond Rock Crystal Bangle Bracelet by Illias Lalaounis Greece. With Round brilliant cut diamonds total weight approximately 1.5ct Large oval rock crystal 34mm x 24...
Diamond, Rock Crystal, Yellow Gold
Cartier Double C Diamond Tri-Color Gold Trinity Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Cartier
Located in Southampton, PA
18k Tri-Color Gold (Yellow, White, Rose) Diamond Double-C Bangle Cuff Bracelet by Cartier. The Cartier 18k Tri-Color Gold Diamond Double C Wide Cuff Bangle Bracelet elegantly combin...
Diamond, Gold
Roberto Coin 9 Row Diamond Ruby Silk Weave Yellow Gold Bracelet
By Roberto Coin
Located in Southampton, PA
The Roberto Coin 18k Yellow Gold 9 Row Diamond Silk Weave Bracelet is an exquisite piece of jewelry. It features nine rows of diamonds set in 18k white gold bars. These bars are set ...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold
Ilias Lalaounis Ram Ares Diamond Ruby Sapphire Yellow Gold Large Brooch
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Southampton, PA
A magnificent expression of Greek artistry and mythology, this rare Ilias Lalaounis Ram Brooch is masterfully sculpted in 18K yellow gold and depicts the powerful ram associated with...
Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Bulgari Yellow Gold Tubogas Snake Bangle Bracelet
By Bulgari
Located in Southampton, PA
An iconic symbol of Italian luxury, this authentic BVLGARI Tubogas Serpenti Coil Bangle is expertly crafted in 18K yellow gold and showcases the Maison’s legendary serpent-inspired d...
Yellow Gold
Van Cleef & Arpels Yellow & White Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet
By Van Cleef & Arpels
Located in Southampton, PA
18k White & Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet by Van Cleef & Arpels. The Van Cleef & Arpels bangle cuff bracelet is an epitome of sophistication, crafted from 18k yellow and white go...
18k Gold, White Gold
You know the French maison’s famous motif well. But why is this particular piece so in demand?
The tiny lovers inch closer together by the hour and minute until they finally embrace on a world-famous bridge.
