If you’re shopping for a pre-owned Cartier Love Bracelet and find one at a jaw-dropping, seems-to-good-to-be-true cost, read on. You may be mistakenly browsing a vintage Revson Bracelet that is not worth the same value as an authentic Cartier Love Bracelet.

In 1970, Cartier designer Aldo Cipullo partnered with Charles Revson, the founder of Revlon Cosmetics, to design a special-edition Love Bracelet.

Although the Revson Bracelet looks virtually identical to the original, there are two major design points that distinguish it from the standard Love Bracelet. The Revson Bracelet was electroplated to cut down its retail cost. It is oftentimes misleadingly advertised as an “18K Aldo Cipullo Love Bracelet” but is in fact only gold-plated and therefore less expensive. The second key design difference of the Revson Bracelet is that it has a screw on only one side and a hinge on the other—whereas the original unscrews on both sides.

Revson Bracelets are also stamped with “Aldo Cipullo Gold Electroplate” and “Charles Revson, Inc.” Real vintage Cartier Love bracelets meanwhile are stamped with the Cartier name only and most originals are not engraved with serial numbers.

Many people re-selling the Revson Bracelet will list the item as a vintage Cartier Love Bracelet or an Aldi Cipullo-Charles Revson Love Bracelet. And while this is, in a way, factually true—the bracelet was indeed produced by Cartier—it’s a misleading characterization of the bracelet if you’re in the market for an authentic Love Bracelet.

The Revson Bracelet is classified as costume jewelry and usually priced accordingly, ranging from $99 to upwards of $1,000. So if you’re wowed by the low price of what appears to be an authentic Cartier Love Bracelet, which retails upward of $4000 at the least, proceed with caution as it could be a mis-listed Revson Bracelet.

To learn more about authentic versus forged Carter Love Bracelets, visit our story “How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet” here.

These fashion staples tend to come in at steep price points, but we have some more wallet-friendly options for you instead. Here are some affordable, pre-owned pieces that won’t break the bank as much as their brand new counterparts do.

1. Yellow Diamonds

Lately, we’ve been seeing yellow. Maybe it’s just the sunshine finally peaking through this spring, but these yellow stones have caught our attention.

From engagement rings to earrings, celebrities like Heidi Klum and Jennifer Lopez have donned the yellow stones. Have no worries if yellow diamonds are out of your price range, because we have citrine jewelry that delivers the same look as your favorite celebs, like these citrine rings in yellow or white gold, or these citrine earrings.

2. Sapphire Jewelry

Like the yellow diamonds, sapphire jewelry is a look that rocks. Kate Middleton already had a beautiful sapphire engagement ring passed down from Princess Diana, but now she has a new set of a sapphire necklace and earrings. We are willing to bet, Kate’s look cost a small fortune, but you can replicate the look with cheaper options or even with topaz. Check out this sapphire necklace, this topaz ring and these sapphire earrings.

3. Chanel Chic

Chanel is a ubiquitous fashion staple among, well, just about everyone. Vintage costume jewelry from Chanel can be pricey, but with a bit of compromise, you can emulate the look authentically. Beyonce’s gold-colored pendant necklace could cost you over $1,000, but you can get Chanel pendant earrings for less than $200 here, or for less than $350 here.

4. Classic Cartier

Cartier is the jeweler to kings, but also the jeweler to first ladies. Former first lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and current first lady Michelle Obama have both sported the Cartier Tank watch. The stylish and classic watch is not cheap at a current retail price of $4,900, but you can buy a pre-owned Tank watch in excellent for a fraction of the price here.

Investing in the right jewelry is like investing in a beautiful piece of artwork.

Like an oil painting or sculpture, the benefit of investing in jewelry is that you can actually wear and enjoy it without compromising its value—provided you take the proper measures to care for it. Before you commit to an investment piece, it’s crucial to understand the quality and durability of fine jewelry specifically that makes it a worthy acquisition.

Brand Names with Staying Power
Jewelry does not necessarily need to be encrusted with diamonds or incredibly expensive to be a worthy investment.

Chanel costume jewelry is a perfect example; its widely recognizable brand name increases the overall value of the piece and continues to increase over time.

Similarly, Cartier jewelry appreciates in value over time. Their high-quality materials and craftsmanship, combined with the respected brand name, means Cartier pieces can be even more valuable in the future than their current retail price tag. According to Cartier spokesman, Philippe Besiss, Cartier jewelry has never sold at auction for less than its original price. Currently the top brands for investing are Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany & Co. with Bulgari and Christian Dior pieces gaining popularity with investors and collectors alike.

Pieces also appreciate as they become more scarce in the market. Brands like Cartier and Boucheron actually buy up their older pieces to ensure they retain their value and will put them on exhibition versus back into the market. In turn, vintage designer pieces are very valuable—especially ones stamped with the brand’s signature.

With all that in mind, unbranded pieces can still retain their luxury value. Vintage Art Deco pieces made of diamond and platinum are hot ticket items because the linear designs blend in with modern wardrobes. Natural pearls are increasing in value over cultured pearls. Also older pieces with a substantial stone can be sold and reset in a new style to appeal to contemporary tastes can be particularly valuable.

Adjust for Inflation
The Cartier Love bracelet originally sold for $250 in 1970. Adjusted for inflation, $250 in 1970 has the same buying power as $1,500 today. A brand new Cartier Love bracelet costs $6,600. If you factor in the quality of the product and the power of the Cartier brand, a vintage Love bracelet from 1970 could sell for about the same price as a brand new one today.

To put this in perspective, minimum wage was $1.45 in 1970. That means, to buy a Cartier Love bracelet, you would need to work for 362.5 hours, or roughly nine 40-hour weeks. Today, with federal minimum wage at $7.25, you would need to work about 910 hours, or twenty-two 40-hour weeks. If only you had bought a Cartier Love bracelet 40 years ago, you would have saved a lot of time!

The Security of Gold
Gold jewelry is another strong investment opportunity. Unlike other trendier precious metals or stones, the demand for gold does not fluctuate greatly—rather its value has steadily increased over time. In 1975, one ounce of gold was worth $79. Today, it’s worth $1,153 an ounce, which, adjusted for inflation, is a 176% increase.

When shopping for investment-worthy gold pieces, look for items that are at least 18 karats. And when it comes time to unload your gold jewelry, timing is key. Be vigilant about following the market prices to ensure you receive the best value for it.

Invest in Time
The most important point to keep in mind when you’re investing in fine jewelry is: this is a long-term investment. It can take up to 30 years for your jewelry to appreciate. Investing in jewelry really requires patience and careful maintenance of the piece to retain its value and improve its resale value.

If you have any other questions about investing in fine jewelry, contact our customer service representatives and they can help.

Bright, light and just in time for spring and summer, Ippolita jewelry is perfect for the sunshine seasons. Ippolita uses a vast range materials to create fresh designs, including gold, silver, mother of pearl, resin and colorful gemstones like diamond, topaz and quartz.

The brand was founded in 1999 by Italian-born Ippolita Rostagno who moved to Los Angeles and now resides in New York. Ippolita jewelry is feminine and though it has a classic appeal, the stackability makes the jewelry even trendier.

We’ve put a list together of the top five Ippolita products for this spring.

1. Stackable Bangles

You might wonder just how many ways can you style a gold bangle, but the possibilities are endless with Ippolita’s stackable, yet independent, bangles. From sculpted metal in gold or silver to designs set with diamonds, turquoise and quartz, the possibilities are endless.

2. Rock Candy Rules

Rock Candy is a collection from Ippolita featuring beautiful and colorful stones. The bright colors in pretty designs can be a mild-weather statement, like this 18-carat gold ring featuring pink tourmalines, rhodolites and smoky quartz. Or, you can add a more subtle touch of purple with 18-carat hoop earrings set with amethyst.

3. Silver Statements

If you like to maintain a monochrome color palette, Ippolita has so much to offer. Many designs are only metal designs, like the bangles. However, there are so many designs featuring diamonds and white topaz set in sterling silver. Designs like these bar-pendant and v-pendant necklaces set with diamonds are simple and anything but average.

4. Blue Skies Ahead

The diverse range of colorful materials allows Ippolita to design striking items in an array of blues from dark and opaque, to light and clear. In blue lapis, you can find a deep and dark shade, while with turquoise your blue can even look a little green, and with topaz, your blue can be as clear as a cloudless sky.

5. More is More

Layering is in and Ippolita makes it easy. These beautiful necklaces in amethyst and blue mother-of-pearl are perfect for the season. The colors and textures apparent in the necklace give a layered and exotic look while remaining classic and charming.

This year, brides are opting for less-than-traditional weddings. Whether the vibe is casual or the colors unconventional, the unusual is now the usual and this has translated to bridal fashion and jewelry. At the same time, brides may not be cutting costs, but they definitely are not wasting money. When choosing jewelry, brides are more commonly choosing items that will fit into their everyday wardrobe. Here’s a list of trending bridal jewelry for this year that can carry over into everyday wear.

1. Breaking the Tradition

From cut to color, engagement rings are less traditional and more personal. Brides are more comfortable choosing their ring or at least pointing their significant other in right direction. Colored stones are popping up, especially yellow and champagne diamonds. More unusual cuts have also become popular such as marquise, pear and emerald cuts.

2. Romantic Touches

This year, there are two new, but completely different color palettes. Brides opting for a softer, more romantic touch to their wedding day look have been choosing accessories in yellow, rose gold and silver. An item from the Cartier Love collection could be the perfect addition aesthetically and symbolically. To make your wedding look sweeter, you could add heart-shaped jewelry like this rose gold and diamond necklace, or this Chopard bracelet.

3. Flower Power

Some brides have chosen to imitate nature with flower-themed accessories following a palette of peachy pinks, greens and blues in a beautiful variety of shades. Flower-inspired jewelry is perfect for an outdoor wedding. Necklaces or earrings featuring citrine are beautiful, golden additions. Other natural designs could range from leaf-inspired earrings to Van Cleef and Arpels butterfly bracelets.

4. Monochromatic Fanatics

The edgier urban bride is featuring a black and white motif on her wedding day. Silver, platinum and steel are choice for jewelry.
Simple bar, stud or drop earrings can be matched with something a bit flashier, like a Givenchy pave flower pin.

5. Stunning Statements

Brides are choosing to forgo flashy earrings for simple studs or bar earrings. However, they are making up for it with stunning statement necklaces. Keep your theme in mind. If you are having a trendy boho wedding, a necklace like this vintage brass necklace. If your wedding is more classic, you can put a twist on pearls with a multi-strand necklace, like these Yves Saint Laurent faux pearls. For a silver statement consider something like this white gold and diamond mesh necklace.

The rose gold trend has been on the rise, becoming a cool alternative metal for engagement rings and fashion-forward jewelry designs. To learn more about rose gold, we take you through its history, unique properties and fundamental at-home care tips for your rose gold jewelry.

The History of Rose Gold
Pure gold is a very soft metal so it is often alloyed (or mixed) with another metal to make it more durable. Typically, gold is mixed with copper and zinc with the different karat weights (i.e. 24K, 22K, 18K, etc.) referring to the percentage of pure gold relative to the alloy metal. To create white gold, pure gold is mixed with nickel and then rhodium plated for that brilliant shine. The pink color of rose gold, meanwhile, comes from a pure gold and copper alloy. This sweet-looking metal was first worn in 19th century Russia, earning the moniker “Russian Gold.”

Since then, rose gold has undergone brief periods of being en vogue. Rose gold was briefly popular during the Victorian Era but fell out of fashion until the 1920s when Cartier re-introduced rose gold to the mainstream with their Trinity Ring which incorporated bands of yellow, white and rose gold. However, this boon in popularity was short lived as platinum became the preferred metal throughout the 1930s Art Deco era.

When World War II broke out in the 1940s, platinum was repurposed for military use and became a scarce material. Many countries during this time restricted or completely halted the use of platinum for any commercial or non-military purposes which prompted another wave of popularity for gold and rose gold jewelry. Since the mid-1950s, rose gold has remained a fashionable choice for jewelry designers.

How to Tell Rose Gold from Copper

At first blush, copper may look similar to rose gold’s pinkish hue. However copper is a darker, more brown color than rose gold. And after exposure to the elements, copper oxidizes and tarnishes, creating a pastel green patina.

How to Tell If Rose Gold is Real

Look for the hallmark to see if there is a mark for the karat weight. Rose gold is by definition an alloy metal so there is no such thing as pure rose gold. Therefore, if your jewelry is marked as 24K, it is likely fake. The most common fineness for rose gold is 14K in the US and 18K in Europe.

A strong red coloring indicates a higher copper content, or differently said: the higher the karat weight, the fainter or softer the shade of pink in rose gold. Therefore, if your bracelet is marked as 18K, but is a deep red, then it is likely a fake or, at very least, not 18K. Here are examples of 10-karat, 14-karat and 18-karat rings.

One at-home test to prove your jewelry is fake (but does not necessarily indicate that it is real) is a magnet test. If your jewelry is attracted to the magnet, then it is fake rose gold.

And if you’re shopping for pre-owned or vintage rose gold jewelry, look for any visible discolorations in areas of the most wear like the inside of the ring band. If you see another color underneath, then the jewelry is likely only gold-plated or counterfeit rose gold.

How to Care for Rose Gold

Here is a simple-at home process to clean your rose gold jewelry. Line a bowl with aluminum foil, shiny side up. In a separate bowl, microwave one cup of water for 1-2 minutes. In the aluminum foil-lined bowl, combine the warm water, one tablespoon each: salt, baking soda, and dish soap. Soak your rose gold jewelry in the water mixture for 5-10 minutes. Remove and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.

For deeper cleans, bring your pieces to a jeweler who can thoroughly clean and polish your jewelry.

This spring we want you to look as great as possible. We watched the spring/summer ready-to-wear collections to bring you the hottest jewelry trends from the runway. Check out our five favorite trends along with our top accessory picks to match.

1. Horse Bit Inspired Bracelets

In an allusion to the company roots, this season the Hermès collection featured silver jewelry featuring designs similar to horse bridles, bits and reins. In the same vein, the Gucci collection featured horse bit bracelets in gold. Get these looks from Hermès and Gucci with this Hermès bracelet or this Gucci bracelet.

2. Gold Pendant Jewelry

At Dolce & Gabbana, gold pendants were the accessory of the runway. The collection was filled with Spanish glamour and heavily featured floral, gold designs with a red accents. This spring, wear pendant earrings and necklaces, maybe with red accents, for an easy accessory choice. A gold and red crucifix necklace or gold Carrera y Carrera earrings would add the perfect flair to your outfit.

3. Big and Bold Gold Chains

In a tribute to all things girly, Moschino’s collection was heavily inspired by Barbie. Everything in pink, the collection is full of energy and fun. Moschino accessorized his ladies with massive, layered gold chains. Imitate this fun look for spring and summer this year with these massive Gucci and Givenchy gold chain necklaces.

4. Love Jewelry

This year Yves Saint Laurent rewinded to 70s fashion with small and sweet pendant jewelry, like this necklace spelling out love. Find similar accessories for the spring with this silver love ring or this rose gold love necklace.

5. Brassy and Big

Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Loewe, Tom Ford, Valentino all featured a different metal this year. Brass is a new go-to this spring and summer. The metal transcended all types of jewelry including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. You can be brassy and brash this year with pieces likes this brass Burberry chain necklace or this homemade brutalist brass bracelet from the 1960s.

Shop the look with authenticated jewelry from TrueFacet.

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It’s no surprise that celebrities and royalty enjoy displaying their wealth in precious stones, and this definitely rings true when it comes to love. From gigantic gems to royal rubies, if there’s a price, it’s never too high, and if it’s priceless, then it’s perfect. In the name of love, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most interesting stories behind famous engagement rings and wedding accessories.

1. The World’s Most Expensive Engagement Ring

When Richard Burton wished to marry Elizabeth Taylor, a diamond no less than 33.19 carats would do. The massive Asscher-cut diamond is certified exceptional — and possibly flawless — and tops the list of the world’s largest diamond rings. The Harry Winston ring sold for $8.8 million at auction and was bought by a collector.

2. The Oldest of the Queen’s Jewels Are Still Worn

The pearls that adorned the Queen’s neck on her wedding day are thought to be the oldest British royal jewelry that’s still worn today. The pearls are actually two separate necklaces that are always worn together, and together they have an estimated value of $6 million. One strand is said to have been worn by Queen Anne who reigned in the early 1700s.

3. Ivanka Trump designed all of her own jewelry for her wedding.

Ivanka was completely covered in hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of jewelry from her own fine jewelry collection. Her ensemble featured a platinum and diamond headpiece, platinum and diamond cluster earrings and a diamond and platinum Art Deco bracelet.

4. Grace Kelly’s first engagement ring was Ruby

Prince Rainier III of Monaco originally gifted Grace Kelly a Cartier diamond and ruby eternity band. However, when the prince saw the massive diamonds adorning the hands of other Hollywood actresses, he quickly purchased his bride-to-be an enormous 10.5 carat emerald cut diamond ring.

5. The Duchess of Cambridge’s Tiara Had 888 Diamonds

Kate Middleton wore a Cartier halo tiara, made in 1936, which was originally owned by King George VI when he was Duke of York. He bought the tiara for his wife, the Queen Mother, who later gifted it to then Princess Elizabeth at the age of 18. Queen Elizabeth II lent the tiara, which features 739 brilliant-cut diamonds and 149 baguette-cut diamonds, to Kate upon the announcement of her marriage with the Queen’s grandson, Prince William. Kate’s engagement ring, a 12-carat sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, belonged to the Prince’s mother, Princess Diana.

Photo Credit: parade.com / theenchantedmanor.com / nationalgeographic.com / usamagazine.com / glamour.com