Cartier love inspired. Too embarrassing to wear?

[Carrierae]

To answer your question...I think if it looks at first glance another designer’s product, it’s a knockoff. It’s a fake/replica if it takes it a step further by using the brand’s stamps.

I, personally, would not keep it...but that’s me. I wouldn’t buy a Teddy Blake bag if I was pining for a Birkin/Kelly. I just think that design is far too recognizable.

Some people have the same thought about fakes...’oh, well it’s a 10th of the price, and I bought it for me. I don’t mind.’....but at the end of the day, it’s a design trying to pass off for something else because you didn’t want to prioritize paying full price.

I absolutely love VCA. I cannot afford to grow a set right now as I am currently growing my Kelly/Birkin collection, but I have no desire to buy something similar to satisfy me. I would rather wait until it’s a better time to buy full price. What I bought to satisfy would only be a temporary satisfaction, and I would be wasting my hard earned dollars on something temporary when I would want to buy the real thing down the road.

This is just my own opinion, but I don’t judge what my friends and family choose to do with their money. If they mentioned the situation, I might have a fleeting thought of oh, they should have waited for the real thing, but at the end of the day I don’t actually care. They aren’t any lesser of my friend because of it. They are my friends and family because I love and care for them...not for what they choose to do with their money. I’m sure we all have something that comes off as tacky, silly, stupid, excessive, etc but they still love us regardless. If your friends and family mind, that’s more of a knock on their character than yours.

Go with your gut.

 

[Deleted member 629947]

Designs are proprietary because of intellectual property trade practices, laws, and custom going back centuries, literally.

My point exactly, the laws are outdated, suit a small bunch of monopolies.

I’m not going to point my finger to who’s ‘scolding’ the OP, that’s clear from the thread, and I didn’t like it. Personally I can afford some fine jewellery but when I can’t I’ll have something ‘inspired’ commissioned for less money. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong with OPs bracelet in my opinion.

 

[jellyv]

My point exactly, the laws are outdated, suit a small bunch of monopolies.

If you created something original that became your source of economic survival and others could simply walk away with it and profit off it and at the same time cost you your livelihood, you just might see it differently. This happens all the time and causes actual hardship outside of the luxury industry, and also in that industry. Hence laws, hence protections. Because we aren't one happy communal organism sharing and sharing alike.

 

[Deleted member 629947]

If you created something original that became your source of economic survival and others could simply walk away with it and profit off it and at the same time cost you your livelihood, you just might see it differently. This happens all the time and causes actual hardship outside of the luxury industry, and also in that industry. Hence laws, hence protections. Because we aren't one happy communal organism sharing and sharing alike.

Cartier is neither a struggling craftsman nor a small business but a ruthless giant whose inflated prices are, my guess, 70%brand and the rest labour and materials. So forgive me for not feeling sorry for Cartier because a small family business inspires or perhaps aspires, to create similar design to earn a living.
Changing laws around property rights is something widely discussed in the industry because patents and copyrights hinder growth and innovation. But hey what do I know, I only work in design.

 

[guccilover21]

Cartier is neither a struggling craftsman nor a small business but a ruthless giant whose inflated prices are, my guess, 70%brand and the rest labour and materials. So forgive me for not feeling sorry for Cartier because a small family business inspires or perhaps aspires, to create similar design to earn a living.
Changing laws around property rights is something widely discussed in the industry because patents and copyrights hinder growth and innovation. But hey what do I know, I only work in design.

100% this. It would be delusional to think that patents and copyrights are to help out the small companies. Giant retailers take advantage of patents to keep growing their profits and monopolise on otherwise very simple designs and patterns that any other company can easily replicate for a lot less. Also they use clever marketing to make people believe that if it’s not their branding then they are somehow cheating themselves out of a great quality item. In reality small companies make good quality gold and diamonds for less money and you are getting the quality!

Op, wear it with pride. It looks good and the quality is there. Don’t let people make you feel bad because of some strange brand loyalty.

 

[Lec8504]

I’m sorry and I’m probably being dense but for the folks who are arguing for “inspired by” items, how is it different vs replicas? Or are we saying replicas are ok too as long as they are made by a small family trying to make a living?

 

[bagsforme]

The only reason that one doesn't look authentic is because the diamond part isn't flush with the rest of bracelet.

Its such an easy to design to copy and replicate. I've seen many inspired by that I have to pick up and look at to tell.

If you feel odd wearing it then save to the real deal.

 

[chicinthecity777]

Am I the only person who thinks $1100 will not buy a bracelet like that which is made of solid gold (not plated) and natural diamonds???

 

[Liberté]

Am I the only person who thinks $1100 will not buy a bracelet like that which is made of solid gold (not plated) and natural diamonds???

While it might seem like a "too good to be true" price, it's not completely crazy when you consider it's 14 ct. (most high end jewelry is 18 unless a stronger alloy is needed for the construction), it probably wasn't a one-of-a-kind piece, it's a small family business that has no expenses related to marketing etc. and labor costs for making this might be incredibly low... Today's gold price is 38 USD per gramme and a love bracelet is about 33 grammes. Some places in the middle east you get a gold price close to the spot price. I obvisouly can't say anything about the quality of the materials and work of the bangle from a picture...

If anything is crazy in terms of material and production cost to retail, it's the price for a mass produced bangle with a design that has been repeated for years with little to no change. The difference is in the cultural value a cartier love bracelet has. And that value is pretty high which becomes evident the second you try to resell OPs bracelet compared to a real Cartier love bracelet. In that sense it's a bit like owning a poster or a reproduction of a painting you like versus the real painting which would be much more valuable than the raw materials, obviously.

As for OPs main question, if you already worry about this, I would consider getting something else. Perhaps they could make a similar but sleek bangle with a diamond? I agree with the other posters on here that it's obvious to those who know that it's emulating the Cartier love bangle look. I personally would probably go for something else.

Edit: I just wanted to add, a piece of jewelry will probably last you many years and the memories that go along with it will too. I don't know you so I can't really advice you on what to do, but personally I would maybe consider that aspect of it too, especialyl since you already worry about it being perceived as a knock off...

 

[star1234]

Maybe you can get it reworked to something without the stylized screw design. I also wanted a solid gold bangle, so I got one custom made in the middle east a few weeks ago as well. It offers me the possibility to add stones as I wish at a later point.


On the other hand, I am still contemplating screw design earrings and I have decided that I would not care because in my mind, they are sufficiently different from the Cartier Love.

 

[jadie1]

Oh please. Nothing is original any more. Look at Michael Kors. Look at the "Tiffany" setting. I could go on but you get the point. Cartier is no struggling company. They can afford to ask absurd prices for their Love collection. I see absolutely no point in shaming the OP for buying a pretty bracelet. I have a Love bracelet and I'm kind of appalled at the quality. It scratches up terribly. OP, rock that bracelet.

 

[AntiqueShopper]

Maybe you can get it reworked to something without the stylized screw design. I also wanted a solid gold bangle, so I got one custom made in the middle east a few weeks ago as well. It offers me the possibility to add stones as I wish at a later point.

View attachment 4180816
On the other hand, I am still contemplating screw design earrings and I have decided that I would not care because in my mind, they are sufficiently different from the Cartier Love.

View attachment 4180815

Those earrings, imho, are a great option. To me those are inspired but definitely different enough to not look like a Cartier copy. The screws all looked raised and they are in different directions.

 

[AntiqueShopper]

I’m sorry and I’m probably being dense but for the folks who are arguing for “inspired by” items, how is it different vs replicas? Or are we saying replicas are ok too as long as they are made by a small family trying to make a living?

IMHO this bracelet falls more into the replica category vs inspired.

To me inspired means that a piece takes elements from a design but creates a new design. The earrings above are a good example of an inspired piece imho.
They contain the screws like a Cartier Love but the screw design is different enough that it wouldn’t be confused as a Cartier piece.

The bracelet OP picked is more of a replica imho. It is a piece that many would think is a Cartier piece or a copy.

Again this is just my definition when buying a piece.

 

[MagpieInTraining]

A bit late to the game but I would keep the bracelet if you're comfortable with it, OP. Most people are not going to know that that is not the "real" deal and as long as you don't lie about it (claiming its the Love if asked) I don't see the big deal. I think $1100 is a pretty good price to be paying for a gold and diamond bracelet, but if you're not comfortable with how much it looks like the Love, then I would return it. Otherwise, wear it! Its lovely!

 

[Mcandy]

When I didnt knew anything about cartier, I have always seen this bracelet though either in silver or stainless steel type of metal. I saw a lot of these. Just wear it if it makes you happy. I also have an authentic cartier trinity ring and ive been wearing it for 3 years now and only 1 asked if it was authentic. One asked where I bought it and when I told her she didnt even know the brand. Lol. You are asking the wrong people. Of course, they dont encourage counterfeits here. I completely understand your point