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.
Vintage Fish Cuff Repoussé Bracelet 18k Yellow Gold Zodiac Pisces
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Fish Cuff Bracelet Zodiac of the Pisces 18k Yellow Gold approx weight 101 grams Artistic workmanship and Hammered texture Eyes are Natural Diamonds Size: approx 37 width Circ...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Textured 18k Yellow Gold Fish Cuff Bracelet with 3.00ct Diamonds
Located in La Jolla, CA
Heavy Diamond Hinged Fish Cuff Bracelet in Textured 18k Yellow Gold Heavy Fish Design Cuff Bracelet features a hinged head and tail sections meeting in the middle in Textured 18k Ye...
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$47,200Sale Price|20% Off
David Webb Double Fish 18K Yellow Gold Cuff Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional David Webb double fish bracelet in 18K yellow gold, masterfully crafted with the brand’s signature attention to detail. Two stylized fish curve elegantly around the br...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
$25,310
H 0.18 in W 0.5 in L 5.75 in
David Webb 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fish Bangle Bracelet with 0.2 Carat Ruby
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Designer: DAVID WEBB Video: Video Link Detailed Description: Vintage Style Dive into a world of luxury with this vintage-inspired 18 Karat Yellow Gold Fish Bangle from designer David...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Lalaounis 18K Yellow Gold Serpent Cuff Bracelet
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Palm Beach, FL
This highly detailed Lalaounis serpent cuff bracelet is an iconic design, certain to be recognized as an item produced by this venerated house. Very lifelike in appearance and postur...
18k Gold, Yellow Gold
18 Karat Yellow Gold Dolphin Wrap a Round Bangle Bracelet
Located in New York, NY
Easy to wear 18 karat yellow gold bracelet, at Cellini Jewelers NYC is Designed as a dolphin in a hi-polish and sandblasted finish. The eyes are s...
Ruby, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique French 18k Yellow Gold Buckle Bangle Circa 1900
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique French 18 karat yellow gold buckle bangle; part of our diverse antique jewelry/estate jewelry collections. This exceptional antique bangl...
Yellow Gold
18k Yellow Gold Brown Diamond Snake Bangle, 18.46 Carat
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Wrapped around your wrist, the 18k Yellow Gold Glam Snake Bangle unfurls a tale of opulence and allure. Its intricate design, embellished with 158 Brown Diamond Rose Cuts totaling ...
Black Diamond, Brown Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Estate Vintage Greek 18K Gold Double Cobra Bangle - VHK#530a
Located in Hicksville, NY
Estate Vintage Greek 18K Gold Double Cobra Bangle - VHK#530a Item Details: Year: 1990s Metal Type: 18k [Hallmarked, and Tested] Weight: 24.5 grams (All Items Total) Condition: Excel...
Gold, 18k Gold
David Webb Platinum & 18k Yellow Gold White Enamel Koi Fish Bangle Bracelet
By David Webb
Located in New York, NY
Dive into the world of artistry and craftsmanship with this exceptional estate bracelet designed by the renowned David Webb. Crafted in the form of a graceful Koi fish, this masterpiece transcends traditional jewelry design. The Koi fish, rendered in radiant 18K yellow gold, comes to life with its mesmerizing ruby eyes that seem to shimmer with life. Diamonds add a touch of brilliance to its scales, creating a captivating play of light and color. The fish's scales are further accentuated with delicate white and green enamel, lending an exquisite and lifelike appearance to the piece. With a wrist size of 7 inches, this bracelet drapes elegantly around the wrist, making it a comfortable and eye-catching accessory. The body of the Koi fish boasts a width of about 20mm, ensuring that its intricate details and artistic craftsmanship are on full display. David Webb's design effortlessly combines the elegance of fine jewelry with the grace of nature, making this Koi fish bracelet...
Diamond, Ruby, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
Grand Victorian Turquoise and 1 Carat Diamond Ornate Wide Bangle Bracelet
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This Etruscan revival bangle bracelet, a staff favorite, is richly decorated with a scrolled motif and lively Persian turquoise and seed pearls. Further embellished with over 1 carat...
White Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Art Deco Diamond & Pearl Buttercup Bangle Bracelet
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This is the perfect accessory for your wedding day jewelry and everyday. A bangle bracelet of antique distinction from the Art Deco 1920s era, this vintage estate heirloom is adorned...
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, White Gold
Vintage Tiffany & Co Paloma Picasso Diamond 18k Gold Bangle Bracelet
By Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A sublime, sleek and elegant vintage Tiffany & Co. gold bangle bracelet by renowned designer Paloma Picasso. The wide ribbon of high karat 18k yellow gold, designed as a closed cuff ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Vintage Signed FOPE Flex'it Mesh Diamond & 18k Gold 2 Tone Open Cuff Bracelet
By Fope
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
A fab, flexible 18 karat gold mesh cuff bracelet by renowned Italian goldsmiths FOPE. The elegant, two tone sparkling diamond orbs at the opening allow ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Awe Inspiring Vintage Ilias Lalaounis 22k Gold Ivy Leaf Necklace
By Ilias Lalaounis
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
Featured in his 1984 book Metamorphoses, this stunning statement necklace by Ilias Lalaounis drapes seductively on your neck. We love the deep, rich color and tone of the high karat ...
Gold, 22k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique 19th Century Imperial Russian Diamond & Sapphire Bracelet
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
The crowned double-headed eagle at the center of this grand bracelet is the Imperial coat of arms of the Russian Tsardom, a symbol Russia adopted from the Byzantine Empire in the 15t...
Diamond, White Diamond, Sapphire, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum, Enamel
