Sterlé Paris 14K Gold Lapis Lazuli Diamond Clip-On Earrings, circa 1960s - 1970s

About Pierre Sterlé brand

In the 1940s there was a sign above Pierre Sterlé's jewelry atelier door that said “By appointments only”. Being a well-known master of his craft, Sterle exclusively worked for the royals and celebrities. 

Pierre Sterle started to learn how to create jewelry from his uncle, a Parisian jeweler. When Pierre turned 29, he opened his own shop where he crafted jewels for Ostertag, Boucheron and Chaumet. That earned him a reputation of a skilled master and allowed to develop his own style and vision. Sterle saw himself as a jeweler who stood apart from the big brands. He established a reputation of a designer who was able to turn metals and gems into poetic artwork.

Pierre Sterle pieces are not limited by the rigidity of the materials he used. Sterle jewelry is full of movement and fluidity. His designs are highly engineered due to his technical expertise. He treated gold as if it were fabric, creating unusual textures. In 1957 he invited a new method of working with gold called “fil d’ange” or “angel wire” which were woven and knitted gold fibers. Since then Sterle pieces became recognizable for its ropes and fringes. Asymmetrical shapes were his signature, as well as gorgeous brooches inspired by nature.

Sterle won the De Beers Diamond Award, the most prestigious award for a jewelry designer, three years in a row, from 1953 through 1955.

By the end of his career Piere Sterle sold his business to Chaumet and remained a consultant to the brand till the end of his life. Many jewelry pieces signed by Chaumet carry Sterle's incomparable aesthetic.  

About vintage French jewelry

Vintage French jewelry is highly valued by jewelry experts and enthusiasts. Since the late Renaissance, France has been established itself as one of the world trendsetter in art and fashion. A quick look at the top 5 French jewelry designers  — Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Hermes, Chaumet, Chanel — describes French level of greatness even better.

What allowed France to reach such a high level in the jewelry world hierarchy? In a nutshell, it's because of the apprenticeship system. In the beginning of 1950s in France anyone at the age 14 could start learning the craft. This way French jewelers, like no others in the world, gain a substantial portion of experience in the early age. Even non-designer jewels were produced by the high skilled masters. 

Modern jewelry is not handcrafted anymore and mass market oriented production is prevailing. Jewelry designs are streamlined to use as less hand labor as possible. That's why today vintage French jewelry is in such high demand. Nadine Krakov Collection offers the most desirable vintage jewelry online made by French experts.