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Oh, vivre dans le luxe! For those of you who didn’t take high school French: oh, to live in luxury! More specifically, oh to live in luxury jewelry! And no, I’m not talking about quiet luxury. I’m talking about in-your-face, dripping-in-diamonds-and-precious-metals luxury, like a scale-y Bulgari Serpenti watch coiled around your delicate wrist or a tennis necklace so blingy that it might as well be a safety hazard when worn in the sun.
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Luxury, by definition, is lavish abundance and excess. Far from a need, simply a want; the same applies to luxury jewelry. These indulgent pieces are desirable, aspirational, and sought after–items to daydream about, and perhaps, work towards.
The admiration that surrounds luxury jewelry is strong and will continue to endure. Their hefty price tags are the result of top-tier quality, craftsmanship, and strong brand recognition. For many, these pieces are purchased as investments (their resale values often increase over the years) or gifts to mark special occasions and accomplishments, whether for one’s self or a loved one.
These coveted jewels, which have withstood the test of time and transcend generations, are seen as classics that won’t ever go out of style. For a full rundown of the most sought-after luxury jewelry designs to add to your own fine jewelry collection, keep scrolling!
Cartier Timepiece
Cartier’s signature square-face Panthère de Cartier watches date back to the 1980s. The watch takes a much more subtle approach to incorporating the brand’s Panthère motif with a clever chain design that’s reminiscent of the big cat’s movement. The Baignoire, which translates to “bathtub” and named for it’s curved, oval casing, is a great dress or cocktail watch option, while the Tank, designed by Louis Cartier, was inspired by the Renault FT-17 tank used in World War I by the French military.
Tiffany Co. Esla Peretti Cuffs
In the 1970s, the talented jewelry designer Elsa Peretti crafted the now viral bone cuff. Its sculpted shape was made to resemble the sinuous lines of Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Milà and designed for a seamless fit around the wrist.
Van Cleef Arpels Alhambra
If you’re like the Van Cleef and Arpels family and believe in the power of a lucky charm, the four leaf clover-adorned Alhambra pieces are a smart investments to summon good energy. The first iteration was decorated with over 20 black and white clovers, but today there are plenty of variations to add to your jewelry box—from malachite to carnelian to tiger’s eye.
Bulgari Serpenti Watches
The iconic Bulgari Serpenti watch initially gained popularity in 1962, when Elizabeth Taylor was seen wearing the design on the set of the film, Cleopatra. The design, which draws on the brand’s various codes–from the serpent-like coiling and scale-like chain bands to Bulgari’s signature Tubogas technique–seamlessly integrates decorative elements of jewelry into the watch. Even the dial is shaped like a snake’s head.
Cartier Classics
Nothing like the security alarm going off at TSA because someone can’t take off their Cartier Love bracelet. The Love bracelet is a Cartier classic that comes with its own screwdriver that locks it into place, making sure it’s safe to wear no matter the activity (and impossible to take off at the airport). Another timeless design from the brand? The Juste un Clou which debuted in the 1970s when Cartier turned a curved-shaped nail into one of the most coveted bracelets of all time. In English, “juste un clou” translates to “just a nail,” but the design has become much more than that. It represents a rebelliously cool approach to luxury jewelry, and today, both motifs—the Love and the Juste un Clou—are available in a number of different iterations, though the rings and bracelets are amongst the most popular.
Diamond Earrings
A pair of diamond studs is one of the most versatile and elegant jewelry pieces to own, so naturally, these earrings are mainstays amongst the most coveted luxury jewelry items.
Spinelli Kilcollin Rings
With interlocking layered rings, Spinelli Kilcollin is one of the newest of the luxury jewelry pieces to covet; husband and wife duo Dwyer Kilcollin and Yves Spinelli are the co-founders. The LA-based brand makes ring stacking feel fresh but still as timeless and effortless as ever, proving that unique, unforgettable design can become even more impactful and recognizable than a logo.
Rolex Watches
From the Oyster Perpetual to the Datejust and the Daytona models, a Rolex watch is a treasured timepiece that’s a proven solid investment. With retail prices steadily increasing each year, even the value of most pre-owned Rolex watches have increased over time. The Oyster Perpetual, which dates back to the 1920s, has a sealed case that mimics the shell of an oyster, created to keep water and dust out of the watch. About a decade later, Rolex created a dial that would continuously wind on its own—a patented perpetually ticking rotor that the brand is known and loved for to this day. The Datejust model was introduced about 20 years later, in 1945 for the company’s 40th anniversary, and is the first ever self-winding watch displaying the date on the dial that automatically changes at midnight.
David Yurman Cables
With 50 feet of gold wire twisted and bundled together, David Yurman handcrafted the very first cable bracelet in 1982. The ends of the original design were locked in place with blush-hued tourmaline and vibrant emerald caps, and today the signature cable design comes in a host of iterations.
Tennis Jewelry
We can again thank Chris Evert for popularizing the tennis jewelry design. Few pieces are as wearable for occasion wear and everyday dressing as tennis jewelry is, so you’re going to get your bang for you buck when investing in the style.
