Gilbert Albert’s sculpted relief
This Gilbert Albert ring in 18-carat yellow gold bears the signature of a designer trained in watchmaking. As head of the workshop at Patek Philippe from 1955 to 1962, he designed asymmetrical watches there before opening his own workshop in Geneva. A multiple winner of the Diamonds International Award, he worked with gold in relief and clusters, a far cry from the smooth surfaces of traditional jewellery. This pre-owned piece embodies all the hallmarks of his style. The band crosses the finger diagonally and is covered in clusters of small gold beads, punctuated by seven brilliant-cut diamonds totalling approximately 0.13 carats. When worn, this diagonal line elongates the hand and breaks the symmetry of an ordinary ring.
Architecture and jewellery craftsmanship
The textured gold setting is entirely openwork. Between the clusters, light passes through the band, making what is actually a generous volume appear lighter to the eye. The seven diamonds are set in white gold bezel settings, the white metal of which sets each stone apart from the yellow gold and protects its edges. The stones are arranged freely across the setting, without any alignment. When worn, the body of the ring splits into two bands with textured edges, whilst the inside remains polished for a comfortable fit. Light catches the top of each bead and the diamonds reflect small, crisp flashes of light between the reliefs.
Why choose this second-hand ring
Such an intricately crafted setting, with its openwork reliefs and seven white gold settings, represents a significant amount of workshop time; buying it second-hand allows you to acquire it without the cost of a new commission. It showcases the signature style of a Geneva-based jeweller, instantly recognisable, in a generously proportioned 18-carat yellow gold setting. The relief also has a practical advantage. Unlike a mirror polish, it retains its appearance over time as it is worn, with small marks blending into the raised patterns.
Contents and condition
The inside of the ring bears the Gilbert Albert signature and the 750 hallmark for 18-carat gold. The ring is size 58. Our artisan jeweller has polished it and checked the setting of each of the 7 diamonds prior to sale, restoring the relief’s lustre and the beads’ sharp definition. This Gilbert Albert ring is supplied in a The Swiss Collector box.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this ring, which is covered by a 12-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and in-store collection, or fully secure international delivery.
* Refurbished – The piece has been polished and inspected by our master jeweller, who has restored it to its original lustre.
