Who Is Elsa Peretti? A Tiffany & Co. Icon

Annie Morgan
2025-11-19T08:17:34-05:00

Synonymous with Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti was a pioneer in the jewelry industry. The Elsa Peretti Collection remains strong today, showcasing the enduring influence of the visionary artist.

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Elsa Peretti was an Italian designer whose name became synonymous with some of Tiffany & Co.'s most iconic and enduring creations. Celebrated for her sculptural, organic aesthetic, she redefined how jewelry could feel—modern, and deeply human.

Her impact is not only evident across the jewelry landscape, but she also played a pivotal role in shaping the evolution of American fashion and influencing numerous areas of design, from accessories to home decor.

Peretti’s vision bridged art and craftsmanship, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire designers and collectors around the world.

A Brief Biography Of Elsa Peretti

Born in Florence on 1 May 1940, Elsa Peretti grew up in a prominent Italian family. Her father, Ferdinando Peretti, was an influential oil executive and founder of the oil company API (Anonima Petroli Italiana). Educated in Rome and Switzerland, she pursued studies in interior design, which was an early indication of her affinity for form, structure, and beauty.

In 1968, following four years spent in Barcelona to pursue a modelling career, Peretti moved to New York, as advised by Wilhelmina Modeling Agency. Here, she connected with the creative elite: fashion designers, artists, and photographers. She started designing her own jewelry in 1969, inspired by everyday items and the natural world.

Her jewelry was featured in a Giorgio di Sant' Angelo runway show in 1971, marking her public debut as a designer. The same year, she won the Coty Award for jewelry design. The following year, in 1972, Bloomingdale's opened a Peretti boutique.

Her big turning point came in 1974, when she joined Tiffany & Co., launching her first collection. It sold out on the day of its debut, and her work immediately elevated sterling silver into a symbol of luxury.

Elsa Peretti & Catalonia, Spain

Elsa Peretti’s connection to Barcelona was deeply personal and creatively formative. In the 1960s, she immersed herself in the city’s bohemian and intellectual scene, joining the liberal La Gauche Divine movement alongside Catalan artists like Salvador Dalí and Xavier Corberó.

She later bought and restored a cottage (Casa Pequeña) in the village of Sant Martí Vell, just north of Barcelona, turning it into her sanctuary and artistic home. She also helped to restore parts of the village, such as the local church, leaving a lasting impact on the area.

What Was La Gauche Divine?

La Gauche Divine (‘the Divine Left’) was a cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in Barcelona during the late 1960s.

It brought together writers, filmmakers, architects, photographers, and socialites who blended progressive political ideals with a glamorous, bohemian lifestyle. Centered around neighborhoods like Gràcia and Sarrià, its members gathered in cafés, nightclubs, publishing houses, and film studios, creating a vibrant creative scene that contrasted sharply with the constraints of Francoist Spain.

Although never a formal political group, La Gauche Divine became a symbol of artistic freedom, modernity, and cosmopolitanism, leaving a lasting mark on Barcelona’s cultural identity.

Designing For Tiffany & Co.

In 1974, Peretti’s rising profile drew the attention of Walter Hoving, then chairman of Tiffany & Co. He saw in her bold, modern approach a chance to refresh the brand’s image, infusing new energy into a house long viewed as classic and traditional.

The designer’s contribution to the brand is an unmatched partnership. Many of the pieces born from the collaboration are some of Tiffany & Co.’s most enduring and popular styles. Let’s delve into some of the most iconic standouts from the line-up.

5 Top Designs From Elsa Peretti For Tiffany & Co.

1. Diamond by the Yard

Elsa Peretti’s iconic Diamonds by the Yard necklace revolutionized the way diamond jewelry was created and worn. Previously, diamonds were only worn in formal settings, whereas Peretti made them more accessible, in a more fluid and laid-back design that still celebrated the beauty of these radiant stones.

2. The Bone Cuff

A symbol of Peretti’s trailblazing approach to jewelry design, the Bone Cuff is designed in such a way that it needs to be worn on a specific wrist. The ergonomic design has an asymmetric silhouette with shapely contours, catching the light as the wrist moves. This piece was hugely influential and still inspires many jewelry makers to this day.

3. The Open Heart Pendant

A celebration of love. One of the designer’s most celebrated designs is one of the most classic yet charming: the Open Heart. Featured across a series of designs, the classic pendant is a fan favorite.

4. The Teardrop Pendant

Featuring a single teardrop pendant, this necklace is simple in its design but beautiful in its symbolism. The teardrop can be viewed as either a teardrop of joy or a sign of vulnerability, celebrating the spectrum of human experiences and emotions.

5. The Bean Pendant

The Bean Collection includes a wide variety of designs, from rings to earrings, and of course, the iconic pendant necklace. The bean motif is said to be ‘a symbol of life’s origins’. Like many of Peretti’s designs, the shape has a tactile and smooth quality, mimicking forms apparent in the natural world.

How Long Did Elsa Peretti Design For Tiffany & Co.?

She designed for Tiffany & Co. for 47 years, from 1974 up until her passing in 2021. The brand celebrated 50 years in 2024, reissuing some of the designer’s most beloved designs from over the decades.

Where Are Peretti's Archival Designs For Tiffany's?

Many of Peretti's designs feature in museums, such as the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

Where To Buy Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Jewelry?

Luckily for fans of the partnership, it is still in production (as of November 2025). You can therefore buy it from a Tiffany & Co. boutique or from their online store. However, this is not the most cost-effective way to source a piece of this iconic jewelry.

myGemma has a wide range of designer accessories on offer, from Hermès Birkin Bags to jewelry from the likes of Cartier, David Yurman, and, of course, Tiffany & Co. Each item is assessed for authenticity before being listed on the website and on the app. We guarantee authenticity or your money back.

When you shop at myGemma, you can get up to 80% off retail prices. It is not only better for your wallet, but it helps promote a circular economy, which is better for the planet.

Shop Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Jewelry

How To Sell Tiffany & Co. Jewelry Online?

Don’t find yourself reaching for your jewelry? Make space for something else by selling to myGemma. It is easy and quick, with three different options to consider:

1. Consign: Want to earn up to 25% extra? Quicker than many of our competitors, consigning is your best option if you want to earn more for your item(s).

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3. Trade-In: Have your eye on something else? Trade in your item(s) and get credit with up to 10% extra value.

Fill out the online form linked below to begin your selling journey and get your price quote.

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