Flower arrangement with yellow sapphire, fancy yellow diamonds, white diamonds, frosted crystal and golden pearl by Ellagem NY
For more than three decades, Ella Gafter has been creating classically elegant jewelry designs. Gafter first formed her family business, Ellagem, in the heart of Naples, Italy, which was her home country. She worked only with the finest gemstones, exquisitely cut, and set them into sumptuous designs — works of art — if you will, for women with taste .
Her passion for pearls, rubies, and emeralds melded magnificently with her keen eye for balance and harmony, and her haute joaillerie took on a life of its own. Among her signature looks are pieces set en-tremblant – so that as the wearer moves, the gems on the piece of jewelry also move with grace and beauty. This setting is one of the most difficult to achieve and is time-consuming work. It is also one of the most rewarding settings, as it enables Gafter to feature a bird’s tail feathers, for instance, that move, or flower petals that sway in the wind, or butterflies whose spots seem to dance as one walks.
Gafter is know for classic elegance — offering floral designs, animals and pearl masterpieces that will take your breath away. Interesting, while classic elegance seems to be a code, modern and edgy also comes into play in her pieces.
Ella Gafter is inspired by nature in many of her designs.
Today, with her daughter Talila running the New York office and the business side of the Ellagem, Gafter continues to craft brilliant creations with exceptional stones. Each piece must be perfect. Gafter is a master at selecting the richest rubies, emeralds and sapphires and blending them into unique distinction. Buying an Ellagem piece means buying art, nature and investment all at once. Sophistication at its best.
Gafter spends her time traveling between her recntly built retreat in Umbria (not far from Rome), the workshops in Italy and the company’s headquarters in New York, when she is not busy scouring the world for the finest South Sea and Tahitian pearls, and the most breathtaking gems. Her jewelry can be found in specialt storers around the world, and carries price tags ranging from $15,000 to $100,000.
