Jewel of the day: Vita Fede mini Titan bracelet with crystals

Stacking bracelets is a huge trend now – the more you can fit on your arm, the better. Mixing real with costume is also popular, especially given the price of gold and silver these days.

Vita Fede offers their mini Titan bracelet, as part of their new Edge collection.  It goes perfectly with one or more Cartier Love bracelets, the new skinny Hermes gold bracelets with medor and Kelly detailing, or wider cuffs like the Hermes Collier de Chien and Kelly Dog.

And at USD $375, the Titan won’t cripple your bank account, even in multiples. Available in rose gold plate (shown below), white and yellow gold plate.

When more is just bad

I adore jewellery, I really do. And I love how it can be mixed, matched, worn to adorn, highlight or just go over the top.

But there is over the top and then there is Christmas tree territory. Congratulations, Kris Jenner, for extending the holiday spirit … all over your body.

Jenner is wearing an Hermes Collier de Chien belt (a statement piece all on its own) and she then piled on a gold Rolex and Cartier Juste un Clou skinny bracelet on her left arm, two enormous gold cuffs and a huge Juste un Clou on her right hand, and several oversized rings. I can only imagine what she has on her ears and around her neck. But I’d really rather not know.

People often tell me they would love to wear jewellery – they just aren’t sure how to. And seeing photos like this has made it clear to me why they are afraid.

There is no science to accessorizing, and lots of good, simple advice. Elegance is refusal. Take off one piece before you leave the house. (In this case, I think five pieces would have been smarter.) So  I guess if you check yourself in the mirror and see “net worth” rather than “style icon”, it’s time to pare down. Kris, call me. It’s time to take down the Christmas decorations.

Jewel of the day: Gabriela Artigas Infinite Tusk bracelet

The perfect form in this tusk shaped bracelet by Gabriela Artigas belies its very simple shape. This is perfect for stacking with other pieces, like a Cartier Love bracelet, watch or leather wrap bracelet, and would also hold its own as a solo item. It would also work well if you like mixing metals.

It is described as “yellow silver alloy” and white bronze; not sure what the alloy is as it isn’t specified. USD $264 on ShopBop.

Jewel of the day: Cartier Tank Anglaise watch

The Cartier Tank Anglaise watch seems like the child of the Ballon Bleu and the Tank Francaise. The liaison produced a timepiece with the rectangular case of the Tank Francaise (and original Cartier Tank watch) with the set-in dial of the Ballon Bleu. This is the small 18k white gold version and can be yours for USD $23,700. Stainless steel is also available.

Jewel of the day: Jean Dousset Riviera diamond stud earrings

Jean Dousset has a pedigreed jewellery background, descending directly from Louis Cartier. Although he received his training in Paris, he is now based in Los Angeles. He offers fine jewellery there (and he also has a line of beautiful cubic zirconia pieces available on the US Home Shopping Network).

These earrings feature a halo set centre stone, for those of you who like your diamonds studs to have a little something extra. From the specs, they appear to be somewhat petite, with a total diamond carat weight of .20, available in gold or platinum settings; price available upon request.

Jewel of the day: Givenchy Shark Lock leather bracelet

While the turnlock itself is not a patented design feature, it is probably most closely aligned with Hermes. The turnlock is the closure for many of the house’s iconic bags and bracelets, such as the Kelly Dog and others.

This is a popular motif this season; Michael Kors did quite a few bracelets that bear a striking resemblance to Hermes designs (and Cartier); here, Ricardo Tisci for Givenchy offers a leather bracelet with what the company is calling a “shark lock” closure. The leather bracelet comes in red and black, and sells for €406.12 at Luisa Via Roma.

Jewel of the day: CC Skye Nail Bangle

Got the jones for the Cartier Juste Un Clou nail head bangle, but not the cash? CC Skye offers a slightly simplified design based on the same bent nail principle for a whole lot less. Available in gold or gunmetal (am assuming this is plated base metal since no details are offered), it is a very affordable USD $84 on their web site.

Jewel of the day: Amanda Keiden Horn ring with diamonds

So many jewellery designs are referential; this Horn ring by Amanda Keiden brings to mind Cartier’s Juste un Clou, with it’s bent/rounded screw used as a bracelet or a ring. What I find somewhat dubious about the Cartier design is the pointed end, which I can see being the ruin of many scarves and sweaters.

Keiden’s Horn ring has the same basic design without the scary (and potentially lethal to fabric) sharpness. I like the more muted shape, and the diamond accent. And the price, given the way gold and diamonds are going these days, is also reasonable, at USD $1150. Keiden, who has a background in visual studies, has also ventured into things like awards design (The Streamy Awards, for web television), hand painted limited edition wallpaper, and a collection of jewelry for Eve Ensler’s organization http://www.vday.org.  She has also had paintings exhibited at a show benefitting the Andre Agassis Foundation. Keiden also takes commisions for custom work, exemplars of which can be seen on her site.

Jewel of the day: Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet

Tired of the seeing the Cartier Love bracelet coming and going? Aldo Cipullo, who created the Love bracelet,  has also taken the nail and twisted it into designs for Cartier’s new Juste un Clou collection. Though it looks easier to remove than the Love (always a struggle at airport metal detectors), I’m guessing airport security personnel may be just as displeased to see a giant pointed screw …

Prices range from USD $3,000-$35,000. The extra large bracelet shown here, 18k, is USD $34,460 (and it can be bought through their e-shop if you need to have it ASAP). You can find out more about the collection on Cartier’s web site devoted to the new designs.

 

Jewel of the day: Shah Jehan Elizabeth Taylor necklace

It was only fitting that Richard Burton bought Elizabeth Taylor the diamond given by Shah Jehan to his wife Mumtaz as a token of his love (and inscribed with her name); he also built the Taj Mahal for her. These were guys who knew how to give a gift.

The necklace Cartier made for Taylor with the gem recently sold at the auction of her belongings for $8.8 million. It was also recreated as part of the costume jewellery collection Avon collaborated on with Taylor. (I’ve recently bought one and am eagerly awaiting its arrival; I am told by discerning friends that it is extremely high quality and a really lovely piece.)

So on Valentine’s Day, wishing all my readers their own love tokens from friends, family and their beloveds.