Cartier Love vs tennis bracelet for my first luxury piece?

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hannahs9988

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May 5, 2024
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#1
Hello! I am looking for advise on which bracelet I should pick as my first “luxury” bracelet piece. My boyfriend finally paid off all of his student debt and got a big bonus for starting his big boy job and kindly offered to gift me a piece I would wear every single day. I currently wear the cartier love 2 diamond necklace daily, and I have two very thin 14k gold “permanent” friendship bracelets. I dress casually and simply most of the time, and would love a piece I don’t need to take on/off very frequently.

I hope to one day build out my “designer” bracelet stack but that will take a bit of time in this economy, so I wanted to get some thoughts as I will be wearing this first piece as my daily main piece for a bit! Thank you🙏🏻
 
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#2
I don’t want to impose any recommendations since it’s a personal choice, but I’m happy to share my thoughts and the pros and cons based on my experience. Overall, I think the Love bracelet aligns beautifully with the use case you’ve described and makes a sentimental and meaningful gift from a loved one. It’s incredibly comfortable for everyday wear and remarkably durable—you can lift weights, swim, cook , or go about your daily routine without worry.

That said, the main drawback for me, which might not apply to you based on what you’ve shared, is its inability to be easily removed. Over time, I’ve grown my collection and enjoy mixing and matching bracelets with different outfits. While I don’t mind stacking, I often prefer a clean, minimalist look with just one bracelet. After about three years of continuous wear, I took off my Love bracelet two months ago and have really appreciated the freedom of rotating my other bracelets and opting for a simpler aesthetic when I want to. I miss my Love at times, but am not yet ready to commit to wearing it again.

For your situation, since you mentioned this would likely be your only bracelet for a while, this concern may not be relevant. Additionally, Cartier has recently introduced a hinged version of the Love bracelet, similar to the small Love bracelet, which allows for easy removal. If I were purchasing now, I would definitely choose the new hinged mechanism.
 
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#3
I have a Tennis bracelet since more then 40 years, and I still love it every time I wear it. For me a Tennis bracelet is classy and classic, you can wear it with Jeans, but also with elegant outfits. And it's a unique peace for ever.

For me all these Cartier love bracelets aren't unique, because they are too popular and too often to see (same with the VCA Alhambra collection).

But that's just my opinion because I like more "personal" jewelry. I like the Cartier and VCA bracelets on other ladies, but it's just not for me.

So I would recommend a Tennis bracelet. But it's really a question of personal preference. Good luck with your decision!
 
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#4
Just for clarification.
If you got a tennis bracelet, would it be Cartier? Or from you local jeweler?

Getting a diamond tennis bracelet from a local jeweler is way more bang for your buck compared to a gold Cartier bracelet.

Having said that, I don't have a tennis bracelet but I do consider it a classic forever piece.

Reason being, when it came for me to think more seriously about getting a diamond tennis bracelet, I knew I would not take it off like my Love and Tiffany bangles. I also don't really take off my panthere watch (even when I sleep).
But I was concerned about getting a lot of scratches from the diamonds. Regular wear and tear doesn't bother me but I know diamonds are the hardest material and gold is soft. I feel that stacking a diamond bracelet would really wear down on my other pieces. So for now, it's a pass.

I am a creature of habit. I don't like fussy jewelry and I don't like to worry about it and don't like to change it up. I'm not really a collector.
While I do love my Cartier love and have had it for a little over 3 years I will say, the screws will occasionally loosen over time and it probably falls off my wrist at least once a year. This is probably because I stack and it hits my watch often and the screws loose up over time. I also am very hands on, I garden, cook, walk the dogs, and shower with the love bracelet on (no watch in the shower of course) and there is a lot of movement. So that doesn't surprise me. I check on the screws now and then and tighten accordingly.

Highly suggest you try your options on and take photos if you have not done so already. Especially with diamond tennis bracelets, there's a lot of diamond shape varieties and settings.
When I was thinking about getting a love bracelet I probably thought about it on and off for 3-4 years. I have never had basically a semi-permanent bracelet before and I wasn't sure if it would bother me or not. Turns out it didn't lol.
In spring 2021, I tried on the small version and despite the practically of the hinge it felt very underwhelming. When I tried on the regular, I knew in my heart it was the one! Didn't buy it on the spot because the price different between the small and the regular was quite a bit. And then ~4 months later I got it and and still love it to this day.

Good luck and have fun shopping! :tup: Please let us know what you end up getting. :smile:
 
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#5
If you know you eventually want both, I would get the Love now as prices are only going to go up. Meanwhile, some are predicting the price of diamonds are going to drop as lab-created stones gain popularity.

Agree with @lill_canele if/when do go for a tennis bracelet, go with a local jeweller, or Costco or direct-to-consumer with good reviews, for best value.

Imho, I feel the Love has a more youthful vibe than a tennis bracelet. And very meaningful IF you plan to wear it as it is intended - 24/7 as a symbol of love. Vs getting it just because it is so popular and seemingly the basis for every influencer’s stack.
 
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#7
I have both but if I had to choose between the two it would be a Love bracelet, hands down. If your budget can accommodate one, why not get a Love with diamonds and then you get best of both worlds until you can add a tennis bracelet as well further down the line? I have a regular Love with four diamonds (bought preowned so made a big saving on new) and it just looks perfect with any outfit.

Tennis bracelets are beautiful but I would consider what size visually appeals to you and if this falls within your budget. Personally I would go for the Love for a ‘big’ look over a lower carat weight tennis bracelet and then add the tennis bracelet when I could afford to get the carat size I wanted.
 
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#8
Oh - and I second the recommendations to buy a tennis bracelet from Costco. I have a 5 ttcw one in yellow gold from there and the quality is outstanding. In order to buy the equivalent from a high street jeweller I would have had to pay more than double.
 
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#9
hannahs9988 said:
Hello! I am looking for advise on which bracelet I should pick as my first “luxury” bracelet piece.
Click to expand...
Get to shops, see and try on, take the time to see if you crave one piece, or don't really crave: no one else is going to wear this, so be sure. You may find yourself drawn to entirely different, and to you far more appealing, options.
 
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#12
Another vote for starting with the Love bracelet. I loved the idea of the Love, JUC and tennis bracelet or half diamond bangle together. Then I realized I like it on everyone else and not on me. I didn't like the bracelets hitting together.
 
#14
Love bracelet for sure! You said your look is casual & simple so this will fit right in and you'll never want to take it off. It sort of just becomes a part of you. I have worn mine for years, only taking it off for surgeries, and it is SO comfortable that you forget it's there. It is thick & strong so it won't get bent or broken. And, everybody else is correct that you should get it first bc of price increases. A tennis bracelet is dainty, and because the gold links are held together by very thin gold wires, can easily loosen and/or get ripped off during daily wear.
 
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