Skip to main content

Andrew Grima

Italian, British, 1921-2007

A widely respected postwar British-Italian jewelry designer, Andrew Grima is often regarded as the father of modern jewelry. Grima was entirely self-taught and unafraid to take bold risks. His pioneering designs of the 1960s — set with amethysts, emeralds and other vibrantly colored stones — included cocktail rings, pendant necklaces and clip-on earrings in sculptural and eye-catching styles that sharply contrasted with the adornments of the era.

Grima was born in Rome in 1921, but he grew up in London. Though he came from an artistic family, he initially studied mechanical engineering at the University of Nottingham and served in the Royal Engineers during World War II. Upon returning from the war, in 1946, Grima joined his father-in-law's London jewelry business. He started as an accountant but quickly began experimenting with jewelry design.

By the mid-1960s, Grima's innovative techniques and abstract designs had catapulted him to fame, and his creations were in high demand. He opened his own exclusive gallery in London's West End, which featured an opulent spiral staircase. Candy-colored gems had captivated magazine editors and jewelry lovers everywhere, and Grima's prestigious clientele included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, artist Barbara Hepworth and the British Royal family. In the 1970s, Grima also expanded into watchmaking, creating the "About Time" collection for Omega and a line of gold watches for Pulsar.

Grima received numerous awards over his career for his contributions to jewelry design. He was the winner of the De Beers Diamonds International Award a record number of 11 times and he was the only jeweler to win the Duke of Edinburgh Prize for Elegant Design. Today, his high-profile collectors include the likes of Miuccia Prada and Marc Jacobs, and his work is held in the collections of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Grima passed away in 2007, but his wife and his daughter carried on his legacy. Every year, they enlist a team of specially selected goldsmiths to produce a small collection of original jewelry in his unique style.

Today's designers and collectors recognize the importance of Grima's work and its impact on the jewelry industry. In 2018, New York jewelry dealer Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos featured Grima's groundbreaking designs in her "London Originals: The Jeweler’s Art in Radical Times" exhibit.

On 1stDibs, find vintage Andrew Grima rings, brooches and earrings.

Average Sold Price
$4,500
Styles
Related Creators
Grima Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold Textured Wire Hoop Earrings 1968
By Andrew Grima
Located in London, GB
A pair of vintage 18ct yellow gold and diamond half hoop earrings by Andrew Grima 1968. The earrings shaped as half hoops in asymmetric gold textured wire with diamond and platinum a...
Category

Late 20th Century English Andrew Grima

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Grima Aquamarine Diamond Brooch 18k Yellow Gold
By Andrew Grima
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Andrew Grima Known as the doyen of modern jewelry design. Up for Sale A Large Oval Aquamarine set in 18k Yellow Gold approx 10Ct Aqua. Length 2.25 Inches by 1 inch Width 14 Round...
Category

1980s English Modern Vintage Andrew Grima

Materials

Aquamarine, Diamond, Yellow Gold

Grima  Aquamarine Diamond Brooch 18k Yellow Gold
Grima  Aquamarine Diamond Brooch 18k Yellow Gold
Free Shipping
W 0.99 in L 2.37 in
Grima 1967 Vintage 18ct Yellow Gold And Diamond Bombe-Style Dress Ring
By Andrew Grima
Located in London, GB
A vintage 18ct yellow gold and diamond ring by Andrew Grima, 1967. The ring is made up of 18ct yellow gold asymmetric flat 'pebbles' which overlap to create the bombe shape, the ring...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Andrew Grima

Materials

White Diamond, 18k Gold

Andrew Grima Citrine, Diamond Yellow Gold Textured Wire Brooch Earring Large Set
By Andrew Grima
Located in Miami, FL
Brilliance Jewels, Miami Questions? Call Us Anytime! 786,482,8100 Designer: Andrew Grima Hallmark: GRIMA, 18K BROOCH Metal: 18k Yellow Gold Stones: 1 Lg. Pear Shape Citrine ...
Category

1970s Vintage Andrew Grima

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Andrew Grima Modernist Ring
By Andrew Grima
Located in PARIS, FR
Iconic Modernist Ring by Andrew Grima. 20 carats Cushion Cut Brown Quartz in a 18K Gold textured graphic setting; Signed Grima Andrew Grima (31 May 1921 – 26 December 2007) was an ...
Category

1960s British Modernist Vintage Andrew Grima

Materials

Diamond, Quartz, 15k Gold, 18k Gold

Andrew Grima 1969 London Textured Chain In Solid 18Kt Yellow Gold
By Andrew Grima
Located in Miami, FL
Chain designed by Andrew Grima for Omega Swiss. An outstanding and very rare chain, created in London England by the iconic goldsmith and designer Andrew Grima, back in the 1969. Th...
Category

1960s English Modernist Vintage Andrew Grima

Materials

Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Andrew Grima Unique Citrine Diamond and 18 Karat Yellow Gold Cocktail Ring 1973
By Andrew Grima
Located in New York, NY
A faceted oval citrine, diamond and engraved 18 karat gold cocktail ring, by Andrew Grima, 1973. Signed Grima. Stamped with maker's mark AGLtd. London hallmark date letter "S" for 19...
Category

1970s British Modern Vintage Andrew Grima

Materials

Citrine, Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Andrew Grima Attributed 18 Karat Gold, Emerald, & Diamond Modernist Brooch
By Andrew Grima
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine 18k gold, emerald, and diamond modernist brooch. Attributed to Andrew Grima. Comprising a textured spiral in 18k yellow gold with prong set round smooth emerald caboch...
Category

20th Century British Modernist Andrew Grima

Materials

Diamond, Emerald, Gold, 18k Gold

Browse all Jewelry from Andrew Grima
Shop Now

Creators Similar to Andrew Grima

Andrew Grima jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Andrew Grima jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While looking for the most stylish antique or vintage Andrew Grima jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you’ll find that Andrew Grima diamond jewelry & watches, from our inventory of 14, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look. We have 22 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by Rodney Rayner, KATA Jewellery, and Solange Azagury-Partridge. Prices for Andrew Grima jewelry & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,646 and tops out at $49,000, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for $14,256.

Recently Viewed

View All