Elsa Schiaparelli 1950s 'Lava' Rock Brooch

Elsa Schiaparelli Vintage Brooch – “Lava Stones” in Vivid Green – 1950s

This beautiful vintage brooch from the 1950s is a stunning example of Schiaparelli’s famous and rare lava stones: glistening, crumpled glass stones with an almost iridescent effect. The brooch is executed in a vivid palette of bright lime, mint and apple green, interspersed with pale yellow crystals. The piece radiates spring energy and perfectly reflects Schiaparelli’s love of colour, fantasy and dramatic forms.

🕰 Period / Year
Circa 1950–1959 – Elsa Schiaparelli

🎨 Style & Design
Schiaparelli’s iconic “lava” or “crumpled” stones, framed by marquise- and oval-cut crystals
Playful, botanical and striking – typical of her surrealist approach
A combination of intense green tones that stand out strongly yet remain elegant

💎 Materials
Gilt metal
Crumpled ‘lava’ glass stones in turquoise-mint
Crystals in lime, chartreuse and soft yellow

🌟 Background

Elsa Schiaparelli was one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century. She was known for her avant-garde vision and groundbreaking creativity. Her close collaborations with surrealist artists such as Jean Cocteau and Salvador Dalí resulted in fashion and jewellery that are still regarded as small works of art to this day.

In the world of costume jewellery, Schiaparelli belongs to the absolute top. Her early collaborations with masters such as Jean Schlumberger and Jean Clément are considered the rarest and most sought-after pieces among collectors.

Her jewellery was always designed to impress: large brooches, dreamlike flowers, insect motifs with a surrealist twist, vivid colours and unusual stone shapes. The famous lava stones are among her most recognisable and beloved techniques.

🏺 Historical Context

In the 1950s, Schiaparelli developed a distinctly expressive couture aesthetic. She played with light, colour and texture in a way that was unprecedented for the time. Every jewel had to tell a story – often mysterious, sometimes humorous, always artistic.

This brooch with green lava stones fully embodies that vision: playful, expressive, and at the same time timelessly chic.

✨ In Brief

A rare and dazzling Schiaparelli brooch from the 1950s, decorated with her iconic lava stones in fresh green tones. A true collector’s item that perfectly reflects the unique imagination, daring and artistic genius of Elsa Schiaparelli.