After 180 years in business, Hermès has been at the center of some of the fashion’s biggest status symbols, from its It-bags to its coveted jewelry. We rounded up five little-known facts about Hermès jewelry that will surprise even some of the brand’s biggest fans!

1. The Clic Clac bracelet is not the official name of the iconic Hermès bracelet.

While fans dubbed this Hermès enamel bracelet the Clic Clac, it’s actually named the Hermès H Bracelet. The Hermès H Bracelet prominently features the Hermès H as its clasp, flanked on either side by colored enamel. The Hermès H earned its moniker the Clic Clac bracelet because of the sound the bracelet makes when it’s taken on or off.

The Hermès H Clic Clac is available in three sizes, in 100 enamel colors with three hardware options: silver, gold, and now rose gold. Hermès shoppers can pseudo-customize their H Bracelets which has spurred a sort of collect-them-all air around these fan-favorite bracelets.

2. Hermès began as a manufacturer of luxury goods… for horses.

The founder of Hermès, Thierry Hermès, began his career in 1837 making horse harnesses for the European noble class. Hermès received critical praise for his craftsmanship and was awarded the first prize in its class at the 1855 and later the 1867 Expositions Universelles in Paris for his carriage bridles. From there Hermès production expanded to include saddles, saddle bags, golf jackets, and leather bags. In fact, it wasn’t until the mid-1950s that Hermès began designing and producing jewelry.

3. Hermès partnered with a nomadic African tribe to produce silver jewelry. 

The Tuareg people are a semi-nomadic tribe that live in northern Africa throughout Libya, Algeria, Niger and the Saharan desert. The tribe is particularly noted for their indigo blue-colored veils, worn by men that is believed to ward off evil spirits, and their traditional hand-crafted art. Tuareg art largely takes the form of silver jewelry, decorative saddles, and meter-long swords called takoba.

In the early 1990s, a French tour guide and an art collector appealed to Hermès for aid to help the skilled Tuareg blacksmiths receive fair trade prices for their silver goods. In turn, Hermès and the Tuareg tribesmen partnered to produce their silver jewelry. Hermès also incorporates the tribe’s traditional motifs into prints for Hermès scarves, ties and other goods.

4. Alfred Hitchcock can be credited for the popularity of the Hermès Kelly handbag and bracelet.

Although the Hermès Kelly bag (or the Sac à Dépêches as it was first named) dates back to 1892, its popularity sky-rocketed in 1954, thanks, in part, to legendary film-maker Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock permitted costume designer Edith Head to purchase Hermès accessories to dress actress Grace Kelly for his film To Catch a Thief. It is rumored that Kelly immediately fell in love with the Hermès handbag and carried it off-screen as well. The style icon famously shielded her face from the photo-snapping paparazzi with her large Hermès bag while out with her new husband, Prince Rainier III. After the photo ran in Life magazine, the handbag was an immediate It-bag sensation and thereafter referred to as the Hermès Kelly bag. However, it wasn’t officially renamed by Hermès until 1977. Hermès would later release the Kelly Bracelet which was inspired by the famous bag’s closure.

5. Hermès jewelry has an elaborate stamped date code system.

Hermès leather goods, including its jewelry and handbags, are all stamped with a series of letters and shapes to identify when the item was made. For instance, handbags stamped with an E inside of a circle were produced in 1976 and an R inside of a square was made in 2014. Beside the date code, there are additional stamps to trace back the artisan or shop that produced that specific Hermès leather good.

Hermès was one of the first brands to adopt this stamped date code system. These stamps are known as blind stamps so they are embossed into the leather directly without color. They are also hand-stamped so the stamp will sometimes appear uneven or quite faint.

The date code is especially helpful when evaluating the authenticity of an Hermès piece. And while these codes are easily found online, some counterfeiters are too haphazard to stamp the correct code. Therefore, when shopping for any pre-owned Hermès goods, cross-reference the date code and the product listing to ensure the stamps and the description align correctly.

Since the Hermès brand’s humble beginnings as a family-owned saddle company, it has been known to the world as the premiere place from whom to buy luxury hardware. In 180 years, their definition of “hardware” went through several evolutions: from saddles, they shifted over to zippered leather products, then turned their attention to the chic accessories they are famous for today.

From their iconic leather goods to their vibrant enameled jewelry, each piece is beautifully made and always on trend. If you are looking for a statement piece or the perfect addition to your collection, then look no further. We have compiled a list of our best-selling Hermès pieces to help you decide which pieces will fit best with your wardrobe this season.

1. Hermès Enamel Bangles

Like the iconic Hermès scarves, the enamel bangles come in several colors and patterns that change each season. As the name suggests, each bracelet is produced with printed enamel patterns housed in gold- or silver-toned plated metals. They are also available in four different widths: the narrow size is 0.5″ wide, the wide size is 1″ wide, the extra wide size is 1.5″ wide and the mega size is 2″ wide. You can combine bracelets of varying widths and colors to create texture or coordinate them based on pattern or width for unity.

2. Hermès H Bracelets

Hermès H bracelets are harder to get a hold of than the enamel bangles because they are sold in more limited supply, which makes them all the more desirable. Like the bangles, they are available in the same four widths and come in a variety of color and metal combinations. These bracelets are made with solid-colored enamel housed in plated metals, which are available in gold, silver, and rose gold tones. If you are shopping for a jewelry enthusiast, the narrow width is a bestseller amongst shoppers, but any of the H bracelet’s different styles and widths would be a great addition to a connoisseur’s collection.

3. Hermès Kelly Bracelets

Hermès’s Kelly collection, which includes a line of bags and a line of wraparound bracelets, was popularized by Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. The bags and bracelets have the same simple fastener: long strips of leather with plated metal ends are joined by a twisting circular piece that locks the product in place. The plated metal is available in gold. silver, and rose gold tones that complement the different shades of dyed calfskin leather stamped with the signature Hermès logo.

4. Hermès Chaine d’Ancre Bracelets

Hermès’s Chaine d’Ancre bracelet is easily one of the brand’s most recognizable models. Its chic, simple design is attributed to Robert Dumas, who inherited the brand from his father-in-law, Émile-Maurice, the last full-blooded Hermès at the helm of the company. Dumas debuted the Chaine d’Ancre bracelet in 1938 after he was inspired by an anchor chain he saw on a seaside visit. The design has also been translated into the brand’s other products like necklaces and scarves. The original toggle bracelet comes in solid sterling silver and 18K yellow gold, but sleeker, more modern iterations of the design are also available in solid 18K rose gold.

5. Hermès Padlock Bracelets and Rings

Like the Chaine d’Ancre, Hermès padlock bracelets are designed with such universal attractiveness that they appear as a motif found throughout all divisions of Hermès design. The padlock design actually first appeared on luggage and handbags, but the bracelets and rings are some of the most popular iterations of the design. Hermès padlock bracelets are some of the most diverse among the brand’s jewelry collections: they are available as gold- or silver-toned plated metal cuffs with either printed enamel detailing or leather detailing.  The design has also been translated into a chic watch and into rings made of solid white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver.

Trendy and luxurious, Hermes accessories are often spotted on the wrists of the world’s most fashionable celebrities. Aside from the iconic Birkin, Hermes bracelets are the versatile accessory of choice on and off the red carpet. Here are 5 celebrities who love Hermes jewelry.

1. Victoria Beckham

Former pop sensation and fashion designer Victoria Beckham may know a thing or two about fashion. The celebrity is known for her high-fashion and luxurious style. She’s often spotted wearing precious fine jewelry, but that doesn’t keep her away from Hermes. Beckham’s been spotted with an H bracelet in her stack, or an arm full of Hermes bracelets. She keeps it sleek with all black pieces.

2. Kourtney Kardashian

The Kardashian family is known for their love affair with the Cartier Love collection, but they don’t keep their jewelry tastes completely exclusive to the French jeweler. Kris, Kylie, Kourtney, Kim and more of the Kardashian clan have all been spotted sporting Hermes hardware. Above, Kourtney adds the black and gold H bracelet to elevate her stack style.

3. Emma Watson

Emma Watson’s red carpet style is never a let down. Though her typical choices tend to be more conservative glamour than fun or edgy, Watson took a turn at the MTV Movie Awards where she wore a purple and black Brood dress. She made a statement with her accessories by stacking a giant Givenchy cuff with a classic Hermes Collier de Chien bracelet in purple. The edgy hardware, inspired by a dog collar, will help you take your look up a notch.

4. Blake Lively

Blake Lively, opted to style her CDC bracelet in a different way. Known for her polished style, heavily featuring neutral tones, Lively’s look is always put together. In this look she kept her tones neutral, with her Collier de Chien bracelet in brown croc leather. She then matched the bracelet’s silver hardware to her bag, leaving no accessory uncoordinated.

5. Rachel McAdams

If you prefer the monochrome look, then you might find inspiration in Rachel McAdams. A Saint Laurent black dress calls for a specific kind of accessory and the silver CDC bracelet is just the right look. This version is perfect for those who prefer metal jewelry over leather or need a more formal and sophisticated piece for their outfit.

A. Lange & Sohne watches are impressively built which makes them difficult for counterfeiters to replicate. Here are our tips to quickly spot a fake A. Lange & Sohne watch when shopping for a pre-owned timepiece.

Review Quality and Spot Red Flags

Like all luxury watchmakers, A. Lange & Sohne invests in the production and quality of its timepieces. Their watches are crafted with expensive and high-quality materials and are thoroughly vetted after a rigorous inspection. Therefore, a counterfeiter’s sloppy mistakes and shortcuts stand in sharp contrast to a genuine A. Lange & Sohne watch.

First off, an authentic A. Lange & Sohne timepiece should feel heavy in your hand. The premium and precious metals used in production translates to a weighty watch. Meanwhile, fake A. Lange & Sohne watches are oftentimes made with inexpensive and lightweight materials. Secondly, inspect all the engravings for any spelling errors or messy lines. If you see either, that is an immediate signal the watch is a fake. Also look out for any adhesive residue. A. Lange & Sohne never uses glue on their watches, so if you spot any kind of gum on the item in question, it’s certainly a forged watch.

If you’re shopping online and unable to visit the seller in person, study the listing’s images. A counterfeit watch may be slightly off from a genuine A. Lange & Sohne design; most commonly the watch’s the hands or minute markers are a different shape or color than the authentic timepiece.

Research Seller Information

Before you hit “Purchase Now” on a seller’s site, you want to research the online seller as thoroughly as possible. There are certain warning signs that the watch dealer is not credible. First, confirm their location, which should be listed clearly on their website. If they do not have any address posted, that is a point of concern.

Read through their website. Does the seller have an About Us page? Are there terms and conditions listed on the page? If the website feels incomplete or keeps leading to dead or Error 404 pages, you should probably look elsewhere for your A. Lange & Sohne watch.

Also, comb through reviews and web forums to see if the seller is mentioned. Look out for reviews or comments that seem suspiciously similar or are vague and terse. These posts may have been written by the seller themselves. Alternatively, if there is little information on the seller, there is a chance the seller is a counterfeiter who works under different pseudonyms or websites to evade suspicion and confuse investigating shoppers.

Compare Prices

The adage “too good to be true” certainly applies to pre-owned A. Lange & Sohne watches’ price tags. If you happen across a seemingly legitimate seller’s website, but their prices are jaw-droppingly cheaper than other websites, the A. Lange & Sohne dealer is likely a counterfeiter.

Replica A. Lange & Sohne watches are priced significantly lower (sometimes for as little as a couple hundred dollars) and are typically easier to spot. However, some forgers will go to great lengths to produce a very convincing and high-end knockoff watch and price them for thousands of dollars. But, because they’re eager to unload the phony A. Lange & Sohne watches, they’re still priced significantly below the real market value for an authentic A. Lange & Sohne watch.

Therefore, as you shop online, it’s important to have a good understanding of the market value of a real A. Lange & Sohne timepiece. Cross-reference a handful of sellers of the particular A. Lange & Sohne model you’re interested in to get a general range for the piece. Once you establish that price range, it’s best to avoid any outliers who quote you well below their competitor’s minimum prices.

Ask an Expert

The only way to definitively know if your A. Lange & Sohne pre-owned watch is genuine is to bring it to an expert. A professional and trained watch dealer can peek inside the watch to see if the watch was refurbished with new or different A. Lange & Sohne parts which would influence the timepiece’s resale value.

If you have further questions regarding TrueFacet’s authentication process, contact our concierge representative here.

What started as a family operation has now become one of the greatest watchmaking companies in the world. Unfortunate circumstance lead to an amazing opportunity for founder Ferdinand Adolph Lange, who started his watchmaking apprenticeship at 15. In over 170 years, A. Lange & Sohne has celebrated successes and suffered losses, but today the company is stronger than ever. Keep reading to learn more about the German watchmaker’s history.

Born in Dresden in 1815 Ferdinand Adolph Lange had a difficult childhood eventually leading to a life under the care of foster parents. Though he was young, his intelligence did not go unrecognized and his foster parents found him an apprenticeship at the age of 15 under Saxony’s best clockmaker, Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes. However, Lange and learned that innovation in watchmaking was really happening in England and France.

After studying French and English, Lange moved to Paris to study under Josef Thaddaus Winnerl, a previous student of Abraham-Louis Breguet. After three years abroad, Lange returned to Dresden, married his former apprentice’s daughter. In 1842, he joined his new father-in-law as an integral member of the workshop. In 1845, Lange founded his first watch company, which called a manufactory, in Glashütte, Germany.

At the time, Glashutte was suffering after the depletion of silver mines in the area. Lange founded his company in the impoverished area, providing education and work to 15 watchmakers, and eventually employed many more. Lange even served 18 years as Mayor of the small town. Now, Glashutte is the watch capital of Germany and the headquarters of A. Lange & Sohne.

Lange had two sons, Emil and Richard, whom he taught the trade. Upon Lange’s early death in 1875 at the age of 60, the two sons took over their father’s legacy, growing the watchmaking company further. During this time, Germany was enjoying economic prosperity and A. Lange & Sohne benefited from the demand for decorative, high-end pocket watches for decades.

However, this success would eventually curtail after the onset of the first World War. Though the company persisted, creating large wristwatches for the military. Following the war, Emil’s three sons led the company during a tumultuous time. The great grandson of Adolph, Walter, was studying watchmaking to carry on the family tradition until he was drafted during WWII. After being injured, Walter returned to Glashutte in time to witness the tragic bombing of nearby Dresden.

After the German defeat in WWII, East Germany, where Dresden and Glashutte were located, was occupied by the Communist regime of the USSR. A. Lange & Sohne was expropriated and Walter fled to the West to excape a life of hardship in the East. In 1989, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Gernmany, Walter finally returned to Glashutte to rebuild his family legacy. On December 7th, 1990, exactly 145 years after A. Lange & Sohne was founded, once again.

After losing 50 years, A. Lange & Sohne had much to learn about the watchmaking business, but this was a challenge won. Today, the watchmaker is one of the most prestigious in the world, producing some of the finest and most complicated wristwatches, honoring traditional values while embracing innovation.

Photo Credit: revolution.watch / watchthismagazine.com / masterhorologer.com / hausmann-co.com / alange-soehne.com

A. Lange & Sohne may have been founded in 1845, but the watchmaker has gotten seriously aggressive in producing ultra-luxury and ultra-complicated watches in recent years. The German watch company has manufactured very impressive pieces and we can’t help but admire the finishes and craftsmanship behind the brand. Check out four of the most impressive A. Lange & Sohne watches below. You can view more watches from A. Lange & Sohne here.

1. Grand Complication

This watch is hardly wearable at 50mm in diameter and 20mm thick, but you probably wouldn’t want to wear it anyways. A. Lange & Sohne’s most complicated watch carries a price tag heavier than the movement at $2.5 million, the watchmaker’s must expensive movement to date. The timepiece, released in a limited production of 6, features 876 parts and takes one watchmaker a full year to complete. The watch features a perpetual calendar, two chime complications, a chronograph with flying seconds and moon phase display.

2. Tourbograph Pour le Merite

The Pour le Merite is another limited edition from A. Lange & Sohne watches with only 50 ever manufactured. The rarity and complexity of the movement combine to give this piece it’s price of $500,000. Lange’s increasingly complicated reportoire has improved the watchmaker’s reputation as one of the top in the world, alongside brands like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. The le Merite features a one-minute tourbillon, rattrapante chronograph and power reserve indicator.

3. Zeitwerk Minute Repeater

Usually, Lange watches are very traditional in appearance, which makes this Zeitwerk Minute Repeater a bit unconventional from the watchmaker. The mechanical watch has a digital-inspired display when watchmakers typically choose analog for their finest productions. A minute repeater is a complication that allows the wearer to sound out the time whenever desired and not just at the typical hour marks or half hour marks. It’s also the first watch with mechanical jumping numerals and a decimal minute repeater. This unique piece will set you back about $468,000.

4. Lange 1 Perpetual Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar

The Lange 1 Perpetual Tourbillon is perhaps one of Lange’s most elaborately decorated timepieces to date with its handworked white gold dial. The dial was completely decorated by hand in tremblage and relief engraving for a creation that’s not only a complicated timepiece but a work of art. The piece, revealed in 2013, features a perpetual calendar and time, day, month, leap year and moon phase displays. The beautiful, hand-crafted timepiece is quite pricey at $357,000, however as of 2013 the limited supply of 15 pieces had already sold out at $357,700 each.

Photo Credit: revolution.watch / clicktempus.com / ablogtowatch.com / monochromewatches.com / hodinkee.com

Influenced by the artisanal beauty of Florence, Ippolita Rostagano set off to change the way women wear jewelry in everyday life. The first Ippolita collection was launched in 1999 at Bergdorf Goodman, but Rostagano’s first jewelry creations were less than commercial.

Rostagano was born in Florence, Italy to an Italian father and American mother. The jeweler credits her love of the craft to her experiences growing up in the artisanal culture of Florence where goods are hand crafted with care and artistry. However, it was in New York City where Ippolita started making jewelry.

In the early ‘90s, Rostagano began making jewelry in her own apartment to fill the crafting void in her life since leaving Florence. She soon looked for inspiration in department and chain stores as she had no prior experience in the fashion world. She noticed the trends connecting the types of women depending on the types of stores they shopped.

Eventually, she noticed a gap in the market and took a leap of faith. She noted Banana Republic had no jewelry collection of their own and proposed she step in to lead their direction. Along the way, Rostagano learned the ins and outs of jewelry manufacturing and the trade. However, she came to the realization that her name was not on the jewelry and her jewelry was confined to the aesthetic of Banana Republic.

So, in 1999, Ippolita Rostagano founded her eponymous jewelry company, a collection of jewelry with her own tastes in mind. The philosophy behind Ippolita is one of casual luxury. The pieces are trendy enough for everyday wear, but fine enough to keep for a lifetime. Initially her designs were only in 18k gold, but eventually Ippolita grew into its signature look.

Now, Ippolita’s designs heavily feature bright and colorful gemstones in unique cuts and shapes, all with a casual, fashionable and, most importantly, completely wearable designs. The pieces are crafted from 18k yellow and white gold and sterling silver. The metal is hammered or smooth, plain or featuring gemstones like London blue topaz, citrine, tourmaline, rubies, amethyst and more.

Photo Credit: fashionweekdaily.com / stylequotidien.com

The sun is out for the summer and it’s time for a jewelry update. There’s no better jewelry brand than Ippolita for the embodiment of summer. We took a look at our favorite jewelry trends for the summer to find the best way to style Ippolita jewelry. Keep reading for some summer style inspiration.

1. Stacks

Getting the perfect stack might require the perfect combination of bracelets and colors, but Ippolita make it easy. The classic gemstone bangles from Ippolita are perfect for stack. Choose any number and any shade of these bangles and you’ll have the ultimate summer stack. Even better, the vibrant shades couldn’t be any better for summertime accessories.

2. Bold Gemstones

Bold gemstones are a great way to add interest to your style and right on trend for Summer 2016. We saw bold and colorful gemstone accessories during the latest fashion weeks from designers like Ralph Lauren and Marchesa. Choose your accessory of choice — any will do — and bring life to your look with an oversized and attention-grabbing gemstone accent.

3. Statement Earrings

This season, elevate your style and try the newest statement trend — oversized and bold earrings. Join the ranks of Oscar de la Renta, Gucci, Proenza Schouler and nearly every other high fashion designer and add this accessory trend to your fashion arsenal. Look for something massive, something eye-catching and something colorful to pull off this fun trend.

4. Summertime Blues

At the beginning of the year, Pantone released its color of the year for 2016 — a pleasant shade of blue called Serenity. We think the easiest and most fun way to incorporate this trend into our wardrobe is by adding a new piece of stunning jewelry. Add a pop of blue to your summer look with a piece of your favorite jewelry style.