Elsa Peretti was a renowned Italian jewelry designer known for her elegant and minimalist designs. Born in Florence in 1940, she spent much of her early life traveling around Europe before settling in New York in the 1960s. It was here that she began her career as a jewelry designer, creating pieces for fashion designers and high-end boutiques.

Peretti's designs were characterized by their simple, organic forms, which often took inspiration from nature. She was known for her use of materials such as silver and gold, as well as unconventional materials like lacquer and bone.

One of her most iconic designs is the Bone Cuff, which she created in the early 1970s. The cuff was made from a single piece of carved bone, with a simple, fluid shape that wrapped around the wrist. The design was an instant success and is still popular today.

Peretti also created a range of other iconic pieces, including the Bean, which was a simple bean-shaped pendant on a chain. The design was inspired by her childhood memories of picking beans in the fields of Italy. The pendant became one of Tiffany & Co.'s best-selling designs and is still popular today.

Peretti's work was also characterized by her commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. She worked with artisans and craftspeople around the world to ensure that her designs were produced in a way that was both environmentally friendly and socially responsible.

In addition to her work as a jewelry designer, Peretti was also a philanthropist and supported a number of causes throughout her life. She established the Nando Peretti Foundation in memory of her father, which supports a range of humanitarian and environmental projects around the world.

Peretti's legacy as a designer and humanitarian is significant, and her influence on the world of jewelry design cannot be overstated. Her minimalist designs and commitment to sustainability continue to inspire designers today, and her work for causes like the Nando Peretti Foundation has left a lasting impact on the world. She passed away in March 2021, but her legacy lives on through her timeless designs and commitment to making the world a better place.