Rating and value of Zolotas jewels, rings, necklaces

If you own a piece of Zolotas jewelry, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your jewel, and provide you with an accurate estimate of its value on the current market.

Then, if you wish to sell your jewel, we will direct you to the best possible device to obtain the optimum price. The price of a piece of jewelry can vary depending on the year, the artist behind its creation, and the material from which it was fashioned. 

Rating and value of a Zolotas jewel

Jewels are emblematic pieces from the House of Boucheron, and must-haves of the women's wardrobe ; their success is no longer to be boasted.

The price at which they sell on the art and auction markets ranges from €100 to €31,900, a considerable delta but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to your jewelry.

In 2018, a necklace in 18k yellow gold, with an ogive-shaped motif, sold for €31,900, while it was estimated at between €25,000 and €35,000.

Order of value ranging from a classic piece of jewelry to the rarest and most sought-after

Style and technique from the house of Zolotas  

Zolotas is a jewelry house founded in Athens in 1895, very active in the 20th century. It makes privileged use of yellow gold 18 carats, echoing the traditions of ancient Greek goldsmithing.

The jeweler works with the incorporation of precious and semi-precious stones (sapphires, rubies, emeralds, turquoise, carnelian). He uses silver and enamel for some creations, but in a more marginal proportion.

Zolotas works with the techniques of granulation (decorations of small gold beads applied to the surface, inspired by classical Etruscan and Greek jewelry), filigree, which consists of working fine gold into fine, twisted and soldered wires and complex patterns.

The company also uses hammering and repoussé, traditional techniques that create lively volumes and textures. Their settings are sober, with stones discreetly integrated to let the metal structure predominate.

Zolotas draws its inspiration mainly from Antiquity, with motifs from classical and Hellenistic Greece (palmettes, spirals, meanders, stylized floral motifs). The bestiary is symbolic, with representations of lions, snakes, bees, eagles and direct echoes of mythology and ancient art.

Zolotas jewelry is also influenced by archaeology, with an aesthetic that directly evokes the treasures found in Mycenaean and Etruscan tombs. There's also a monumental sobriety, with sculptural pieces that are voluminous yet balanced.

Zolotas jewelry builds an alliance between tradition and modernity, with a contemporary reinterpretation and ancient forms, and highlights a Greek heritage transformed into a universal stylistic language.

The stylistic signature is strong, with each piece distinguished by its monumentality and craftsmanship. Like Bulgari for Italy and Tabbah for Lebanon, Zolotas is part of the trend towards identity jewelry, with an aesthetic rooted in a national culture, but aimed at an international audience.

Their pieces are considered to be signature objects, valuing both archaeological heritage and modern design. In this way, the company helped redefine the image of Greek jewelry in the 20th century, establishing it as a cultural and diplomatic symbol - jewelry worn by Jackie Kennedy or Melina Mercouri.

The history of the house of Zolotas  

The house was founded by Efthimios Zolotas, in Athens, close to the Acropolis. His initial vision was to combine European jewelry-making expertise with ancient Greek goldsmithing traditions.

The workshop quickly distinguished itself with refined goldwork and jewelry inspired by Hellenistic antiquity. In the first decades of the 20th century, Zolotas became a symbol of Greek luxury, attracting a wealthy local clientele as well as foreign visitors.

In the 1950s and 1960s, the company expanded internationally, opening up to a cosmopolitan clientele. The influence of the archaeological excavations carried out in Greece in the 19th and early 20th centuries was evident in the designs.

Zolotas collaborated during this period with goldsmiths and silversmiths who mastered granulation, filigree and hammering techniques inspired by ancient Greece. In the 1960s - 1970s, the company is at its peak, against a backdrop of infatuation with Mediterranean cultures.

Zolotas established itself as an ambassador of modern Greece through jewelry, having the opportunity to work for Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Maria Callas, Melina Mercouri, all of whom wore Zolotas creations.

It thus became a benchmark for Greek diplomatic and cultural jewelry. The house has retained a strong identity, namely hammered yellow gold and motifs inspired by Greek antiquity, which remain the house's signatures.

Zolotas creates several iconic collections with massive necklaces, serpentine bracelets and rings with Mycenaean motifs. The house constantly dialogues between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Today, Zolotas remains a prestigious house, less widely known than giants such as Bulgari or Cartier, but with a strong cultural and heritage aura. Alongside Illias Lalounis, it is a symbol of the renaissance of Greek jewelry.

Its importance goes beyond the mere jewellery dimension, since Zolotas has participated in the valorization of Greek national identity in the decorative arts. The Zolotas story embodies the marriage between archaeological heritage and international modernity.

Market segmentation and Zolotas

Zolotas is today considered a prestige Greek jewelry house, more confidential than Bulgari but recognized for its heritage identity. This is a niche market for buyers attracted by antique heritage and cultural jewelry.

Values are strong in sales specializing in Art Deco jewelry, the 50s - 70s and identity jewelry.

Antique pieces (1950s - 1970s) are highly sought-after, especially massive hammered gold necklaces and serpentine bracelets, constitute a high-end segment.

Diplomatic and celebrity jewelry often comes with a prestigious provenance (Jackie Kennedy, Maria Callas) can multiply prices.

Small pieces (rings, earrings) are an affordable segment, generally between €1,000 and €5,000 at auction.

One-off or made-to-order pieces, on the other hand, are quite rare, sometimes exceeding €30,000 - €50,000, depending on iconography and quality of materials. The market average is between €2,000 and €10,000 for the majority of Zolotas jewelry.

Imposing necklaces or complete sets regularly reach €20,000 to €30,000. The most iconic pieces with links to ancient Greek heritage or exceptional provenance can exceed 50,000€.

Designs and prototypes rarely appear on the market, but are attracting growing interest from collectors. 18k hammered gold remains the most sought-after value. The 1950s - 1970s represent the stylistic apogee, so pieces from this period are the most highly valued.

Famous people and collectors strongly boost value when provenance is associated with them. The state of preservation is essential, especially for hammered jewelry, which is sensitive to scratches and shocks.

Zolotas jewelry has a comparable rating to Lalounis jewelry, which is sometimes more present at sales, while Zolotas retains a more exclusive aura.

For Bulgari, for example, the international market is much larger, with generally higher values but no archaeological identity. Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels meanwhile remain in a global premium category, Zolotas occupies a narrower but distinctive cultural and identity niche. The market is experiencing a growing interest in identity jewelry and rarer houses, and Zolotas is benefiting from this movement.

The segmentation attracts both Greek and Mediterranean collectors and an international public curious about atypical pieces. Growth potential is strong, driven by thematic auctions.

Recognizing a Zolotas creation  

Zolotas jewelry is signed, and hallmarked according to the metal. However, there are many copies, which is why the expertise of your jewelry remains very important.

Know the certain value of your jewelry 

If you happen to own a piece of Zolotas jewelry or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your jewelry, as well as ad hoc information about it.

If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.