An Andrew Grima pendant in 18K gold set with step-cut emeralds, rubies and round brilliant-cut diamonds

Andrew Grima was one of the most innovative and influential jewelry designers of the 20th century. Born in Italy in 1921 and raised in the UK, Grima rose to prominence in the 1960s and 70s with his bold, unconventional designs that broke away from traditional jewelry norms. He is often credited with revolutionizing modern jewelry design. He became the royal jeweler to Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the British royal family, and also attracted celebrity clients such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Barbara Hepworth. In 1966, he won the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design, the only jeweler ever to do so. Grima's designs remain highly collectible today and are considered masterpieces of 20th-century jewelry. His work continues to inspire contemporary designers and is celebrated in museums and galleries around the world.