Gilbert Albert (Swiss, 1930–2019), Necklace, Bracelet and Brooch, 1970s, amber, pearls, gold

Audio Description

This necklace was made in the 1970s by Swiss jeweler Gilbert Albert who lived from 1930–2019.

This round necklace is made of graduated ovals of dark orange amber with ribbon-like yellow gold and one or two misshapen pearls in between. A long pendant hangs from the center front with similarly graduated amber with gold and pearls in between. The pendant ends in a large oval of amber with ribbons of gold surrounding it like petals on a flower.

Label Copy

This necklace was made in the 1970s by Swiss jeweler Gilbert Albert who lived from 1930–2019.

Similar to Gilbert Albert’s owl-like bracelet, this piece is transformable, coming apart to form a shorter necklace, bracelet, and brooch. Such works were perfect for the jet set of the 1960s and ‘70s who traveled frequently. This jewelry was easily packed into a suitcase and could be worn in various ways, mixing and matching with the other pieces, never looking the same twice. Such adaptable ornaments matched the versatility and variety of fashion in the period.

The cloudy orange stone in this necklace is amber—fossilized tree resin—with inclusions of suspended plant and animal fragments that remind us it is organic. Albert believed that traditional jewelry was hampered by its restricted range of materials: polished gold, platinum, diamonds, and other precious stones. Here he combined a natural material with baroque pearls and twisted ribbons of gold—a feature that imparts gestural excitement and nervous energy to the piece.

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