Gilbert Albert Rings
When it came to creating elegant jewelry out of unusual materials, Gilbert Albert was a master alchemist. Not only was he the first known jeweler to set meteorite fragments in fine jewelry, but he also crafted works from more earthly components such as sea-urchin skeletons, shark teeth, peacock feathers and fulgurites, which he placed in tubes of glass made from sand that had been struck by lightning.
Born in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1930, Albert began training in jewelry design at the age of 15 while attending the city’s School of Industrial Arts. There, he became influenced by European abstract artists such as Piet Mondrian and Constantin Brâncusi. A decade later, luxury watchmaker Patek Philippe spotted Albert’s talents, and for the next seven years, he worked at the company as a designer, developing Patek’s signature asymmetrical timepieces.
In 1962, Albert opened his first atelier and pioneered a method for incorporating unconventional natural materials into his jewelry. Driven by a lifelong love of nature, Albert combined petrified plants, furs, feathers, dinosaur fossils and beetle exoskeletons with traditional precious metals and gemstones to make curious rings, brooches, bracelets and watches. Among his most well-known pieces are his sculptural gold clip-on earrings, pendant necklaces and interchangeable cocktail rings with removable beads.
Throughout his career, Albert’s creations have been exhibited at shows and fairs in Prague, Paris, London, Milan, Copenhagen, Antwerp, Brussels, New York, Vienna, Salzburg, Tokyo, Osaka, São Paulo, Lisbon and Dubai. He was also the first living artist since 1917 invited to display work at the Kremlin, in Moscow.
In addition to receiving numerous accolades for his jewelry designs — he won the Diamonds International Award 10 times — Albert has been recognized for his talents as an artist. In 1999, the Swiss government hired him to design the “Mass” of the Republic of Geneva. He also received the Ramsar Wetlands Conservation Award, and Geneva’s International Museum of the Reformation has one of his sculptures on permanent display.
Even after Albert’s death, in 2019, his artisanal jewelry remains highly coveted among collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of Gilbert Albert rings, necklaces and earrings.
1970s European Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Rings
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Artist Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Agate, 18k Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Agate, Rhodocrosite, 18k Gold
1970s Swiss Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
2010s Unknown Art Deco Gilbert Albert Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Modern Gilbert Albert Rings
Crystal, Rock Crystal, Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Gilbert Albert Rings
Natural Pearl, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Gilbert Albert Rings
Tiger's Eye, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
2010s European Contemporary Gilbert Albert Rings
Pearl, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Gilbert Albert Rings
Moonstone, Quartz, Other, Gold, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Gilbert Albert Rings
Pearl, Sterling Silver
2010s American Contemporary Gilbert Albert Rings
Turquoise, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold, Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Gilbert Albert Rings
Tiger's Eye, Gold, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Contemporary Gilbert Albert Rings
Diamond, Pearl, Turquoise, Gold, 14k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Hong Kong Modern Gilbert Albert Rings
Diamond, Rose Gold
2010s European Gilbert Albert Rings
Tiger's Eye, Gold Plate, Brass
1970s European Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
18k Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Contemporary Gilbert Albert Rings
Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Rings
Silver
Late 20th Century Swiss Aesthetic Movement Gilbert Albert Rings
Tiger's Eye, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1970s Swiss Modern Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Agate, Alexandrite, Amazonite, Chalcedony, Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Cult...
Late 20th Century Swiss Artist Gilbert Albert Rings
Opal, Cultured Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Swiss Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Jade, Hematite, White Diamond, Diamond, Carnelian, Agate, Yellow Gold, 1...
Late 20th Century Swiss Modernist Gilbert Albert Rings
Onyx, Quartz, Rhodolite, Chalcedony, Amethyst, Carnelian, Diamond, Multi...
Late 20th Century Swiss Modern Gilbert Albert Rings
Lapis Lazuli, Malachite, Quartz, Rock Crystal, Turquoise, Jasper, Amber,...
Late 20th Century Swiss Gilbert Albert Rings
Diamond, Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s Swiss Modernist Vintage Gilbert Albert Rings
Lapis Lazuli, 18k Gold
20th Century Swiss Artist Gilbert Albert Rings
Tourmaline, Diamond, Blue Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold