The Love Bracelet from Cartier is one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry of all time. It was designed in 1969 but remains a popular piece collected by jewelry lovers. Find out what the Vintage Cartier love bracelets are all about and why they’re worthy of an investment.

Introduction to Vintage Cartier Love Bracelets

Aldo Cipullo designed the famous LOVE bracelets for Cartier – a luxury good designer – in 1969. The original version of the Vintage Cartier bracelet was made with gold plating but the newer versions were made of either platinum or solid gold. 

Since there are many newer versions made with different materials, the prices do differ significantly. Some of the most expensive bracelets can cost as much as $56,000. As of 2019, this line of bracelets was still in production and has even expanded to other types of jewelry items, not just bracelets. Nowadays, the LOVE line now offers necklaces, watches, rings, earrings, and cufflinks, to name a few. 

Despite its popularity, the Love bracelets were not without criticism, though. In particular, it is often compared to the chastity belts that were common during medieval times. The starting price of these bracelets is at $6,300 (those made with pink and yellow gold) and $6,750 for those made with white gold. 

Fascinating Facts about Vintage Cartier Love Bracelets

Since time immemorial, jewelry has been associated with status symbols and wealth. The same thing can be said of Cartier bracelets and jewelry. Here are a few interesting facts you need to know about the vintage Cartier love bracelets before you shop for one:

• It is known as the “modern love handcuff” because it is designed to fit the wearer’s wrist. They are also secured using a screwdriver.
• At the time it was created, the Love bracelet changed the way jewelry was designed. Some of the jewelry designs in the past were meant to match an outfit. The Love bracelets were the first ones that were not made to specifically match an outfit.
• The first few designs were made of silver or were gold plated. The newer versions were made of solid gold. 
• The first diamond-studded Love bracelets were released into the market in 1979. 
• The distinctive screws that were part of the Love bracelets design were inspired by the very same tools that its designers worked with in his studio.
• The initial design of the Love bracelets was created by its designer Aldo Cipullo at his workshop studio, not in the Cartier’s headquarters in Paris. 
• The serial numbers in the Love bracelets were added after there were many counterfeit products that emerged in the market. 

Why Are They Expensive?

The vintage Cartier Love bracelets are one of the most popular designer jewelry ever created. Therefore, it is an iconic jewelry that is highly sought after by women all over the world. While many aspire to have one, only a select few can actually afford it. 

Simply put, Cartier bracelets are expensive. But how expensive are they, really? 

On average, a Love bracelet will have a starting price of $4,000 while the most expensive design costs $56,000. There are vintage and pre-owned ones that cost $3,200. But if you are shopping for this vintage jewelry, you know the price point to look at and how much budget to set aside for it.

The type of metal used is one of the reasons why it is extremely expensive. White gold is one of the most common materials used, which is more expensive than pink or yellow gold. The width of the bracelet can also impact its cost. The classic Love bracelets measure 6.1 mm in width and it is more costly than the smaller ones (3.65mm in width). 

The addition of gemstones is also another factor that can impact its price tag. Bracelets with a single diamond will set you back at $5,300 and for the ones with up to four diamonds the price can go up to $10,000. There are also bracelets made with pave diamonds that don’t go lower than $24,000. The more blinged-out the design, so to speak, the more expensive it will be.

All of these details can add up to making this Love bracelet very expensive. If you want to have your own Cartier bracelet, you can shop for authentic but pre-owned pieces online. Just make sure to validate your sources to ensure the authenticity of the jewelry item. The pre-owned bracelets have an average cost of $5,300 or lower. 

Tips for Buying Cartier Love Bracelets

Due to their popularity, vintage Cartier love bracelets are one of the most popular products among counterfeiters. If you want to add one to your collection, you need to do your research and know what to look for to ensure that you buy only the authentic pieces. 

One of the best ways to identify counterfeit items is with the shape of the bracelet itself. The fake ones are shaped round so they look more like bangles. However, the original Cartier bracelets are oval in shape that is similar to the structure of your wrist. 

Aside from the wrist, the weight of the bracelets is another thing that would hint at the authenticity. An original Cartier bracelet should have enough weight to it to withstand the wear and tear of constant use. It should not be lightweight or easily bend. 

Examine the bolts when shopping for Cartier love bracelets, too. Keep an eye out for bolts that are not properly aligned or if the hallmarks appear sloppy or too shallow. 

The best way to ensure the authenticity of vintage Cartier love bracelets is to buy them from reputable stores locally or online. It is important that the jewelry stores are certified and are reputable enough. If the store or website you are buying them from are selling other counterfeit items, or if the jewelry pieces are cheaper than the suggested retail price of these vintage items, then you need to be wary. 

Do your research about the seller to make sure that they are authentic and certified. A little savings can be tempting but you could end up with a counterfeit item that does not have any real value.