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.
18 K Yellow Gold Vintage Lion's Head Bangle
Located in Zurich, Zollstrasse
A very solid 18 K yellow Gold bangle bradelet of opposing Lion's heads. The inner diameter is 5.5 cm that will suit small to medium wrists...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Lalaounis Ram's Head Greek Bangle 18k Yellow Gold made in Greece
Located in New York, NY
Rams Head Bangle Attributed to Lalaounis Famous Greek Designer Circa 1970's has makers mark (without his name) visible in the images 18k Yellow Gold approx 47 grams. Circumference 8...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18K Yellow Gold Art Deco Double Lion Head Bangle Bracelet, 1980s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Commanding and elegant, this Double Lion Head Bangle Bracelet is expertly crafted in rich 18K yellow gold, marked with a 750 stamp for purity and authenticity. The bracelet features ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Ilias Lalaounis 1970s 22K Gold Neolithic Revival Ribbed Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Miami, FL
A rare and substantial bracelet by celebrated Greek goldsmith Ilias Lalaounis, handcrafted in richly hued 22-karat yellow gold and dating to circa 1970. Inspired by the elemental for...
22k Gold
Ilias Lalaounis 18k Gold Hammered Sculptural Bangle Bracelet, 1970s
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
DESIGNER: Ilias Lalaounis CIRCA: 1970’s MATERIALS: 18k Yellow Gold WEIGHT: 46.5 Grams MEASUREMENTS: 6 1/2" inner circumference x 1 1/4" at the top HALLMARKS: Ilias LALAoUNIS, A21, 750, Greece, MECAN ITEM DETAILS: An 18k yellow gold bangle bracelet by Ilias Lalaounis, designed as an open bypass form that coils around the wrist like a wave. The hammered finish gives the gold a textured, organic surface that catches light differently from every angle, a signature look for this Greek maker known for archaeological and nature-inspired jewelry. The piece is fully signed and hallmarked, with "Ilias Lalaounis," the 750 stamp for 18k gold, and Greek maker's marks stamped along the interior band, giving the piece a modern, minimal profile while still referencing the designer’s Greek heritage. This bangle style bracelet works equally well as an everyday statement piece or for dressier occasions, and it holds real weight and presence on the wrist. Collectors searching for authentic Ilias Lalaounis jewelry...
18k Gold
Zolotas Ram's Head Greek Bangle 18k Yellow Gold made in Greece
By Zolotas
Located in New York, NY
Rams Head Bangle Original Zolotas Famous Greek Designer Circa 1970's has makers mark visible in the images 18k Yellow Gold approx 59 grams. Circumference 6.5' inches Diameter approx...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage 1970s Lalaounis Hammered Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in New York, NY
Finely crafted in 22k yellow hammered gold. Signed by Ilias Lalounis Circa 1970s Size 6 1/4 inches, hinged opening
22k Gold
Alex Jona Gold-Plated Sterling Silver Twisted Wire Bangle Bracelet
By Alex Jona
Located in Lugano, TI
Alex Jona design collection, hand crafted in Italy, twisted wire gold-plated sterling silver bangle bracelet. Marked Jona. Dimensions: Diameter 2.55 in x 0.15 in. D Diameter 64.91 m...
Gold Plate, Sterling Silver
Silver and 18K Gold Cuff Bracelet by Göran Kuhlin Made 2007
Located in Stockholm, SE
This silver cuff bracelet has an open, flowing design that wraps elegantly around the wrist. The slender silver band curves organically, ending in two delicate 18 karat gold drop-sha...
18k Gold, Silver
1970's 18 Karat Yellow Tri-Gold Vintage Horse Head Bangle Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed as a yellow gold wire frame bangle bracelet Centering a pierced horse head motif fully around Rose gold with textured fur and grooved details Accented by white gold eye, bri...
Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
William Ruser Vintage Yellow Gold Saturday Child Bracelet
By William Ruser
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1960s William Ruser iconic Saturday Child Bracelet, measuring 6 1/2 inches in length with each Child figure measuring 1 1/4 inch in length and 1/4 inch wide, weighing 61 Grams ...
Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Victorian Tennis Raquet Form Gold and Diamond Bangle Bracelet
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1900 - 1910 Late Victorian Bangle Bracelet in the form of a Tennis Raquet, the 14k Yellow Gold bracelet measures 1/8 inch wide with the top measuring 1 1/2 inches, the top of t...
Diamond, Gold, 14k Gold
Tiffany & Company "T" Yellow Gold and Diamond Bangle Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 2023 Tiffany & Company "T" collection 18k Yellow Gold Bracelet, 1.5 M.M thick and set with Round Brilliant cut Diamonds totaling approximately .70 Carat. Wrist size 6 1/2 i...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Angela Cummings Studios Vintage 18k Large Cuff Braclet
By Angela Cummings
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1984 Angela Cummings Studios 18k yellow Gold Cross over Design Cuff Bracelet, measuring 2 3/4 inches in length, 2 3/4 inches wide and weighing 55.3 Grams. inside measurement of...
18k Gold
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti 1980s Sterling Zodiac Cuff Bracelet
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1980s Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Company Zodiac Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet, Measuring 2 inch wide with an inside measurement of 5 inches and an opening measuring 1 1/4 inch.
Sterling Silver
Tiffany & Company Sterling Alligator Cuff Bracelet
By Tiffany & Co.
Located in Chicago, IL
Circa 1990 Tiffany & Company Sterling Silver Alligator Texture Cuff Bracelet, measuring 1 inch wide with an inside measurement of 5 1/2 inches and a 1 1/2 inch opening, wrist size 7 ...
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th-century designer Andrew Grima upended tradition with his avant-garde aesthetic.
Although positively oozing red-carpet glamour, the Hollywood legend had a penchant for costume jewelry.
