Cartier Love Locked Down Collection | Gray & Sons
Cartier’s Love Bracelet Is The Ultimate Commitment
The Cartier Love Bracelet has become one of the most iconic pieces of jewelry, spotted on the wrists of stylish women (and men) all over the world. Comprised of two gold semicircles, the bangle is literally locked onto the wearer’s arm with two grub screws, with Cartier providing a custom miniature screwdriver to open and close it. Inspired by the chastity belt, Italian designer Aldo Cipullo created the golden handcuff in 1969 to symbolize true and everlasting love, hence the ultra secure fit.
In fact, the bracelet was originally only sold to couples. As part of its launch, Cartier dreamed up a great publicity stunt, by gifting matching sets to 25 famous duos, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Robert Evans and Ali MacGraw, Dyan Cannon and Cary Grant and Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti. Today, celebrities still tout the bracelet, although it is more of a fashion statement than a declaration of love. Wearers include Angelina Jolie, Pippa Middleton, Sienna Miller, Cameron Diaz, Mila Kunis, Jennifer Aniston, Lindsay Lohan and even Justin Bieber and Kanye West. Social media star Kylie Jenner has made the pricey bangle the most coveted accessory for millennials. Jenner wears up to six Love bracelets tightly stacked on her wrist. Perhaps as a result, Cartier has just debuted a new, slimmer version of the bracelet, perfect for stacking, and with only one screw, making it easier to take on and off.
Additionally, Cartier has also improved upon the two-screw version so that the screws partially stay in the bracelet because people kept losing them. However, the classic look of the oval-shaped Love bracelet endures nearly 50 years later. It is available in white gold, yellow gold or pink gold, and can be adorned with diamonds, sapphires and pave diamonds. While the Love collection has expanded to rings, earrings and necklaces, nothing says, “I love you,” like an 18k gold bracelet bolted onto your arm. Just don’t lose the screwdriver!