Adler 18k Yellow Gold, Diamond & Ruby Lionshead Doorknocker Enhancer Pendant

The artisans behind fine jewelry house Adler are no strangers to reinvention. The company, which was founded in Istanbul and is now based in Switzerland, is known for changing with the times, both in the design of its beautiful adornments and in its business ethos. Adler jewelry, which includes pendant necklaces, link bracelets and drop earrings, ranges in style from Art Deco to contemporary but is always characterized by a timeless appeal.

Adler was founded in 1886 by Swiss-born designer Jacques Adler as a small boutique in Istanbul. Trained in Europe, Adler combined his knowledge of Western jewelry-making techniques with the traditions of the East. This unique approach earned the house great admiration among its clientele, as well as an appointment as a royal jeweler. 

After nearly 90 years and three generations in business, Adler's grandsons, Carlo and Franklin, decided to bring the company back to the family's historic Swiss roots. In 1970, they packed up shop and opened a boutique in Geneva, one of the world’s leading hubs of jewelry manufacturing.

As a family business, Adler has enjoyed great freedom in creative expression over the decades. This shines through in the company's extensive collections, which see an integration of everything from sparkling precious stones to novel materials like carbon fiber.

An internationally recognized brand, Adler exhibits its gorgeous creations at showcases around the world. In 2012, it opened an exhibition in Thailand, an exclusive, invitation-only event that focused solely on the house’s offerings. The company is also a regular participant at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition in Qatar.

Today, Adler is run by fourth-generation family members Karen, Daisy and Allen Adler. Always open to new ideas, the firm’s principals now seek to offer jewelry for a much broader demographic. "We have adopted an approach similar to the fashion industry," Karen told jewelry insider Katerina Perez, "where brands offer haute couture as well as affordable lines."

With more than a century in business to show for it, the strategy seems to be working.

On 1stDibs, find authentic Adler necklaces, bracelets, earrings and other jewelry.