At the Fall/Winter Chanel ready-to-wear show, all things classic hit the runway. There was no denying how absolutely Coco Chanel the show was. From tweed blazers to boater hats and strings of pearls, the show featured all of the icons of Chanel, but in up-to-date and trendy fashion. Our eyes were drawn to the Chanel jewelry and accessories adorning nearly every model on the catwalk. Keep reading to learn the trends and the history behind them.

1. Statement Pearls

Coco Chanel reinvented costume jewelry — she made it luxurious, yet accessible and fashionable. Coco was of the opinion that every woman should be able to accessorize each outfit appropriately and that every woman should be able to own pearls. Chanel was rarely spotted without pearls adorning her neck in multiples. This fall season, Karl Lagerfeld, the current creative director of Chanel, has made Chanel pearl strands a fashion must-have.

2. Gripoix Necklaces

Invented in 1869 by Augustine Gripoix, Gripoix is a technique for setting colorful glass in a metal plate. One of the most notable commissioners of Gripoix was undoubtedly Coco Chanel, who used the glass creations in some of her most well-known jewelry designs. Later, designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Givenchy would begin using Gripoix for their jewelry designs. On the runway, we saw the Gripoix pieces used in necklaces and cuffs.

3. Camellia Flowers

Coco Chanel had a deep appreciation of the Camellia flower, and this has always been apparent in her designs and in her personal life. She first fell in love with the flower when reading “La Dame aux Camélias” by Alexander Dumas, in which the protagonist was always wearing a white camellia. The flower symbolizes purity and longevity, and Chanel often included the design in her jewelry and fashion as well as her personal home decor.

4. CC Logo

The Chanel CC logo is one of the most recognizable brand markings in history and the story about is as interesting as the logo is ubiquitous. The logo is so simple and yet so distinct — it’s only two opposite-facing interlocking C’s, but everyone knows it stands for the French fashion house. It’s believed her inspiration came from a similar motif found on a stained-glass window inside the Chapel at Aubazine, home of the orphanage where Chanel lived during her childhood.

Photo Credit: vogue.co.uk 

If you find you enjoy jewelry from a certain time period, it may be difficult to find a way to style your favorite piece. The aesthetics of the past don’t need to stay there — check out our advice on how to wear your favorite vintage style today!

1. Belle Epoque

If you are trying to replicate the Belle Epoque jewelry style, look for items with intricate yes dainty pieces of jewelry. During this time, the innovation of platinum in jewelry making allowed for delicate but durable settings. The pieces of this time heavily featured diamonds in sophisticated settings with a light accent of colored gemstones, typically set in white metal.

2. Art Deco

Jewelry trends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries tended to feature highly elaborate and whimsical designs, leading fashion to the geometric and architectural designs of the Art Deco era. To replicate this trend, look for pendant necklaces and drop earrings featuring angular or symmetrical shapes. Enamel and lacquer gained popularity and gemstones were vibrant in platinum settings — contrast was extremely important.

3. Retro

The Retro area existed from the ’40s through the ’50s and the style was heavily influenced by the tumultuous times of war. Platinum was considered a strategic metal and thus a scarce supply for jewelry-making. To replicate this style, look for jewelry pieces in yellow gold that have an emphasis on the setting or metalwork rather than the gemstone. Semi-precious stones like citrine were also commonly used as alternatives to the more expensive precious stones. Pieces often featured elements of nature like flowers and animals.

4. The ’60s and ’70s

The ’60s and ’70s were the carefree answer to the conservative times of the ’40s and ’50s and this was obviously reflected in fashion. Bold and vibrant jewelry pieces complimented the energetic clothing styles of the time. To replicate this jewelry style, look for pieces with jagged edges, uncommon materials and bright and opaque colors. Look for pieces featuring moonstone, coral, amethyst in brightly contrasting combinations, typically set in yellow gold.

These are the women who defined 20th-century glamour. From socialites to actresses and royalty, there are certain trendsetters who preferred all things precious and glittering. Check out these six fashion icons of fine jewelry.

1. Barbara Hutton

Heiress to the Woolworth retail store fortune, Barbara Hutton was one of the wealthiest women in the world before she was even out of her teens. Though the Woolworth fortune was vast, a troubled life led Barbara to spend nearly every penny by the time she passed in 1979 — the only remains of her fortune was her vast jewelry collection.

Hutton was an avid jewelry collector, amassing an impressive private collection throughout her life. One of her favorite gemstones was jade, with her collection featuring stunning Cartier carved jade bangles. She also had a jadeite carved bead necklace featuring 27 graduated jadeite beads of stunning color and translucence. She owned a pearl necklace that once belonged to Marie Antoinette of France. Her favorite jeweler was, without a doubt, Cartier, and Barbara was a lifelong patron of the French jeweler.

2. Elizabeth Taylor

Last year at a Christie’s auction, Elizabeth Taylor’s private jewelry collection sold at auction for over $137 million in total — the record for a single-owner auction. Elizabeth Taylor was undoubtedly known for her glamour and obsession with precious gemstones. She even has a 33.19-carat diamond named after her, and a 68-carat diamond named after her and her two-time husband Richard Burton.

Her collection included highlights such as the natural 50.56-carat La Peregrina pearl, first discovered in the 1500s. Her collection contained jewels of historic importance and unbelievable provenance. Her collection featured pieces from Cartier, Bulgari, Tiffany & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels and more of the world’s top jewelers. She owned some of the finest emeralds, sapphires and diamonds in the world.

3. Wallis Simpson

Wallis Simpson held the record for the largest private-jewelry auction before Elizabeth Taylor’s collection took the title. The American-born Duchess of Windsor was known for her style, sophistication and taste in fine jewelry. At a Sotheby’s auction in 1987, her collection sold for a total of $53.5 million across 214 items.

King Edward VIII of the British Royal Family showered Wallis with expensive jewelry gifts and eventually abdicated the throne so he could marry the woman he loved. At the 1987 auction, her 31-carat diamond ring sold for $3.15 million. Elizabeth Taylor bought the Three Ostrich Plume Diamond Brooch which was designed by Edward as a gift for Simpson before their wedding. Simpson had a love for Cartier, especially panthere jewelry. Edward had two impressive panthere pieces commissioned for Simpson and the Duchess of Windsor is even thought to have started the big cat trend in fine jewelry. In 2010, her Cartier panthere bracelet sold for $7.4 million.

4. Daisy Fellowes

Dasiy Fellowes was heiress to the Singer sewing machine fortune as well as a French aristocrat. Fellowes was known for her style, intelligence, humor and beauty. She even served as the Paris editor of the American Harper’s Bazaar. Her sophisticated and often daring style included the finest jewels of the 20th century.

One of her most famous possessions was the Cartier Tutti Frutti necklace, the prototypical ideal of the Cartier icon. Fellowes had bought two tutti frutti bracelets and a necklace from Cartier and then commissioned a new design from the French jeweler. Fellowes’ pieces provided 785 gemstones, including 594 diamonds, and Cartier contributed an additional 238 diamonds and 8 rubies to complete the piece. The piece is called the Collier Hindou and was purchased by Cartier at an auction in 1991 for $2.65 million.

5. Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly was both fashion royalty and actual royalty. After marrying Prince Rainier of Monaco, Princess Grace had her name attached to the Hermes Kelly bag and accessories. Her favorite designers were French favorites Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Her engagement ring given by Prince Rainier was a 10.47-carat Cartier emerald-cut diamond ring.

One of Grace’s well-known pieces is a Van Cleef & Arpels diamond tiara she wore only once to her daughter’s wedding. The tiara features 144 diamonds, for a total of 77.34 carats, and is set in platinum and white gold. The tiara has since been in Van Cleef and Arpels’ possession. Princess Grace’s collection also featured a stunning platinum and ruby tiara by Cartier and several animal-inspired brooches.

Photo Credit: tatler.com / harpersbazaar.co.uk / classicmoviechat.com

Advertisements are an insightful look at the past, giving us a perspective of a time now gone and former trends. We took a look at trends from every decade of the 1900s to get a period appropriate look at the most important jewelry styles of the century.

1900s and 1910s

During the Edwardian and Belle Epoque era of jewelry, designs moved towards lighthearted and delicate, with diamonds in whimsical platinum settings a favorite among the best jewelers. The use of platinum allowed for more intricate and artistic designs like lace, filigree, flowers and garland style jewelry. Simple strands of pearls were also favored for their rarity and elegance.

The ’20s and ’30s

The ’20s and ’30s were most defined by the Art Deco era of jewelry. Inspired by the machine age and architecture of the time, art deco jewelry was the opposite of the whimsical designs of the Belle Epoque era. Shapes were geometric and symmetrical, complimenting the fashions of the ’20s. Brightly colored gemstones often served as a contrast to diamond designs in platinum settings.

The ’40s and ’50s

During the ’40s and ’50s, during the retro era, jewelry became more modest partly due to a lack of materials. Wartime austerity measures meant that jewelers had to become more creative with less. Precious gemstones were used less commonly, and instead, bold semi-precious stones were preferred. Gold was used in place of platinum, and typically with a polished finish.

The ’60s and ’70s

During the ’60s and ’70s, jewelry designs were offbeat and more eccentric than decades previous. Echoing the vibrant fashions of the era, the jewelry was brightly colored and made from unusual materials. Inspiration was found in the East, with many jewelers inspired by colorful and elaborate Indian design. During this era, gold was still primarily used in jewelry design.

The ’80s and ’90s

Jewelry during the ’80s and ’90s is typically described as contemporary. Polished gold, sculptural design, geometric shapes and sleek lines defined jewelry design during this era. The designs were also more conservative than pieces from the ’50s and ’60s as women entered the workforce in larger numbers. During the ’90s, more emphasis was placed on the ethical sourcing of gemstones and precious metals.

To the untrained Rolex observer, there’s not much different or much to say about new Rolex releases. To a watch enthusiast, there couldn’t be anything further from the truth. This year, Rolex released several subtle updates to some of their best-selling watches. Keep reading to learn more about the changes to Rolex’s 2016 models.

Datejust 41

The newest Datejust is also one of Rolex’s most accurate chronometers, with an accuracy of +2/-2. The new movement features 14 new parts developed by Rolex, including a new hairspring that is 10 times more precise. The piece also has an impressive power reserve of 70 hours. This Datejust update was a refinement of the 41mm Datejust first introduced a few years ago.

The Datejust is one of Rolex’s most popular models and the most popular ladies Rolex model ever. When the timepiece was first introduced, it was the very first to feature a date window at all. Older models of the Datejust were 36mm, but in 2015, Rolex introduced the upgraded 40mm size. The year after the larger model was introduced, the watch was improved with several minor changes, including a larger crown, making the watch 41mm.

Daytona

The new Daytona was one of the most exciting releases at Baselworld 2016. There’s been a lot of buzz around the elusive watch with a waitlist rumored to be two years for some. The new Daytona Cosmograph is a long-awaited update to the model introduced in 2013. Daytonas are usually manufactured and released in limited numbers, increasing the interest and exclusivity.

Although this watch is the most coveted Rolex of the year, there’s nothing much different than the previous Daytona models. The biggest change is the addition of the black Cerachrom bezel. The new model is a refreshing presence after the release of the brown and blue edition that was unveiled in 2013. There aren’t often updates to the Daytona model, attributing to the popularity of the piece.

President

The Day-Date 40mm was originally introduced at Baselworld 2015 as a modern size upgrade from the traditional 36mm. The Day-Date may not get as a much attention from brand enthusiasts, but it has undoubtedly been the watch of success since 1956. In celebration of the model’s 60th anniversary, Rolex released a limited edition in Everose or white gold with a green dial

It makes sense that Rolex, whose made a vibrant shade of green its trademark, chose the olive green for the anniversary edition. The watch is 40mm with a 3255 caliber movement which is accurate with in +2/-2 seconds a day.

Air-King

In 2016, Rolex made a trend of updating their pieces to modern sizes, and the Air-King is no exception. The model was only available in 34mm before, but now the piece is available at 40mm. The watch also received a makeover bringing in aviation influences.

The new design is similar to the current Explorer II models. The minute markers are one of the most distinctive features in the dial and are on the same scale as he hour markers. The dial also features a colorful green and gold logo.

Photo Credit: ablogtowatch.com / chrono24.com / salonqp.com / luxurylaunches.com/

Rolex pays tribute to the intimacy of traditional watchmaking while also using the best technology available to create the most precise, hand-crafted timepiece possible. Becoming the watch brand synonymous with luxury never came easily, and with nearly every piece of a Rolex watch produced in-house, the watchmaker has control over every step of production. Though the brand is relatively covert in its methods, there’s fascinating information available about the brand’s process.

One of the most interesting factoids about Rolex is the existence of an in-house foundry. The metals used by Rolex are all melted and mixed into unique alloys at the Rolex factory. Rolex is one of the few watchmakers to do have a foundry producing platinum and gold. The gold comes in three shades — white, yellow and everose, a shade of pink gold that is exclusively used by Rolex.

Though gold is a wonderful choice for a luxury timepiece, Rolex is well-known for their steel model sports watches, and even steel gets special treatment. Rolex specifically uses 904L steel for its unique look and durability. The steel is difficult to manufacture, but the specific alloy polishes to the distinct Rolex shine and the metal doesn’t corrode as easily as other variations of steel, so it wears better and longer.

Rolex is known for its tight grip on their manufacturing process; nearly every pieces of a Rolex watch is made by Rolex. The only pieces not made in-house are the hands and sapphire crystal dials. The semi-secretive watchmaker is also known for its hand-made timepieces — not even a robot can be trusted with making a Rolex watch. When a piece is made using a machine, that machine is operated by a living, breathing person.

With nearly 1,000,000 pieces manufactured each year, it’s impressive that Rolex workers hand-assemble their watches at all. The movements and bracelets are assembled by hand, with machines only used manufacture components. The gems are hand-set by 20 in-house gem-setters, using only internally flawless diamonds and high quality gemstones.

Though Rolex uses an impressive amount of manpower for each piece, machines are still necessary for reasons of efficiency and accuracy. When it comes to sorting parts, stones, polishing and more precise manufacturing, machines are used. Though machine use is necessary, Rolex is sure to have every machine run by a person and then checked by person after each step.

Each Rolex has over 200 parts that need to work together seamlessly. The movements are researched and developed by the world’s best watchmakers in-house at Rolex and take an extensive amount of time to create. So much time is put into developing the most technologically advanced movements and materials, the cost of the watch must increase to compensate — this is mostly where the Rolex price tag comes from.

Though information is available online about the Rolex manufacturing process, the watchmaker is still notoriously secretive. Rolex has its own team of scientists who invent and develop new technology to not only improve the watch parts, but also test them. The machines developed are so rarely seen by unapproved eyes so Rolex can remain ahead of its competition and bring consumers the best watch technology possible.

The Submariner, Datejust and Day-Date rank as the most immediately recognizable Rolex models. However Rolex has a greater breadth of styles that fly under the popular radar—some of which may pique your interest more than the marquee Rolex styles. We explore the fascinating history of the Explorer, the Prince, and the Air King models.

The Explorer and Explorer II

When Sir Edmund Hillary became the first mountaineer to summit Mount Everest in 1953, he was wearing the predecessor of the Rolex Explorer watch. Hillary’s watch had the recognizable triangle indexes but his Explorer would undergo a few evolutions before becoming today’s familiar Explorer model.

Later models would adopt the iconic three, six and nine Arabic numbers that are now hallmarks of the Explorer. The size was also increased; the original was 36mm while today’s measures 39mm.

In 1971, a sportier version of the Explorer (dubbed the Explorer II) was released. The new model still honored the core design of Rolex sports watches but featured modern updates: a 24-hour bezel and a distinct orange hour hand. True to the watch’s explorer spirit, the change from the past version’s military time to a 24-hour clock was designed specifically for cave explorers who otherwise could not distinguish AM and PM.

The Cellini Collection and the Prince

What would ultimately become the cornerstone of the Cellini Collection, The Prince, debuted in 1928. The Prince featured a distinctive rectangular dial with the hour and minute display stacked above the seconds-hand display. This unconventional feature earned the Prince its reputation as a doctor’s watch who used the separated seconds display for checking a patient’s pulse. The original Prince was discontinued in the late 1940s but was reintroduced in 2005 as a part of the newly developed Cellini Collection.

The new collection—and the Prince specifically– is a significant departure from Rolex’s sportier styles, lacking the usual, distinguishing Rolex design features like the typical oyster-case, screw-down crowns and metal bracelets. The Prince’s unique position as a non-Rolex-looking Rolex makes it a coveted collector’s item but is too often overlooked for enthusiasts seeking that “traditionally Rolex” design.

The Air King

Throughout the 1930s, the British Royal Air Force bucked their standard-issue, low-quality watches and upgraded to Rolex Oyster Perpetual timepieces which became a key instrument in their flying missions. Rolex founder Hans Wildsorf was so inspired by the servicemen’s bravery that in 1945 he created the Air King in their honor and with their needs top of mind.

The Air King is a classic and streamlined design and boasts a self-winding movement that, if moved even once every 48 hours, it will continue running without needing to be rewound. The practical and pared down watch retails for comparatively less than a typical Rolex watch. Modern Air Kings come with a variety of colorful dials and the latest version, released in 2016, featured a colorful Rolex logo and a green seconds-hand.

Tracking down one of these Rolex watches to add to your collection? We’re here to help you with your search. Contact our personalized concierge service here.

Photo Credit: professionalwatches.com / rolex.com

One doesn’t need to be born into royalty or be a Biblical figure to enjoy birthstone jewelry. These simple, personalized pieces make for great gifts and hold a lot of meaning and tradition behind them. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, Mother’s Day or any other special event, a piece of jewelry featuring the right rock is always a good choice.

The History of Birthstones:

Birthstones have their roots in the Bible’s book of Exodus, where Aaron, the brother of Moses, has a breastplate embedded with 12 gemstones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. Pulling from this, Jewish historian Titus Flavius Josephus connected the Aaron’s 12 gemstones to the 12 months of the year. People then kept 12 different stones and wore a different one each month, believing that each stone corresponded to one of the 12 apostles and, when worn during the ascendancy of each of the 12 zodiac signs, the stones would be charged with power.

Scholars disagree about where exactly the idea of wearing the stone that corresponded to one’s own astrological sign all year round originated, but the Gemological Institute of America asserts that it was born in Germany in the 1560s. The official list of birthstones varies by culture: in English-speaking countries, two lists exist, representing the traditional and modern tastes of jewelers. The traditional list takes root in Polish traditions and corresponds to poems written about each month of the Gregorian calendar. The modern list was put together in 1912 by the National Association of Jewelers and has been updated periodically since then by various gemological institutions.

The following is the most updated version of the modern list of birthstones. These days, people wear one birthstone—the one that corresponds to their birth month—all year round, but that certainly shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the other precious stones on this list and adding a little extra sparkle to your every day life!

January: Garnet (top row, left)
January’s birthstone is the deep red garnet. The stone is believed to bring light and provide guidance during difficult times, as well as promote self-esteem, give energy, and protect the wearer during travel.

February: Amethyst (top row, second from left)
The soothing purple shade of amethyst promotes peace, serenity and self-control. As such a peaceful stone, it’s no surprise that amethyst is used in the ring the Pope always wears. The stone also promotes sobriety, coming from the greek word “amethystos,” meaning sober.

March: Aquamarine (top row, second from right)
It used to believe that drinking water in which aquamarine had been soaking would cure heart, liver, and stomach diseases. Sailors believed the stone would protect them at sea, so much so that they’d wear aquamarine pendants engraved with the likeness of the sea god Neptune on their travels. The stone is thought to promote courage, happiness and mental clarity.

April: Diamond (top row, right)
Diamonds are universally known as a symbol of love and are one of most popular gemstones in the world. The diamond birthstone, similarly, is a symbol of love and courage and is also thought to give the wearer strength and endurance.

May: Emerald (bottom row, left)
The emerald is a stone of passion, beauty, love and fertility because of the Ancient Romans’ association of the stone with Venus, the goddess of love and beauty. Emerald is also believed to promote wisdom and patience in its wearer.

June: Alexandrite & Pearl (bottom row, middle and right, respectively)
The Ancient Greeks believed that Aphrodite’s tears of joy hardened to become pearls. Wearing pearls has a calming effect that allows for creativity. Alexandrite’s colorful and mysterious brilliance promotes a sense of wonderment and improves intuition and imagination in its wearer.

July: Ruby (top row, left) 
The ruby is a highly valuable stone that traditionally offered protection from evil. In modern times, the deep red stone symbolizes love and passion. The stone is also believed to harbor a lot of energy, promoting enthusiasm, success, and strength.

August: Peridot & Spinel (top row, second from left and second from right, respectively)
Peridot, sometimes called the emerald of the evening, is believed to protect the wearer from nightmares because its incredible luminescence makes it appear as if it glows on its own. Spinel is often confused with ruby, but comes in a wide variety of colors. The stone is believed to protect the wearer and relieve sadness.

September: Sapphire (top row, right)
Sapphire, known for its deep blue color, also comes in a wide variety of colors. The stone has a history of being a favorite for royal and religious figures, as the stone symbolizes purity, wisdom, loyalty and faith.

October: Opal & Tourmaline (bottom row, left and second from left, respectively) 
Opal is thought to promote confidence while warding of evil. The stone symbolizes creativity, innocence and hope. Tourmaline comes in many colors and is believed to protect the wearer from harm and promote creativity.

November: Citrine & Topaz (bottom row, middle and second from right, respectively)
Topaz is a stone that symbolizes love and is also said to give strength and protection to travelers. Yellow topaz, especially, is thought to heal the body and mind. Similarly, citrine was used by travelers who thought it was a protection from snakes and other forms of evil. Now, the stone is associated to success and prosperity.

December: Turquoise (bottom row, right)
Turquoise is a symbol of love, success, and good fortune. It is believed that turquoise keeps away evil spirits while protecting the wearer from harm and relaxing the mind.

Photo Credit: gemstoneguru.com / gemstonebuzz.com / katerinaperez.com / lemerg.com / omigems.com / kingstonegems.com / treesculptgems.com / holtslapidary.com / nationalgeographic.com