Story vs. Design

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

AntiqueShopper

AntiqueShopper

O.G.
May 29, 2010
4,638
7,454
#1
I have been thinking about this a lot lately. Within the past 6 months I decided that I want a Cartier Love Bracelet. (It will take me a few years to obtain one, but, I could wait.) Prior to hearing the story behind the bracelet (the reason that convinced me for this piece) I did not find the piece attractive (sorry if I offend anyone). I found the design to be masculine in nature. (There is a point to this, I promise.) Now that I know the story, the bracelet is extremely appealing to me, and I know I will :yahoo: when I do buy one someday. Has hearing the story about a piece of jewelry enhanced anyone else's interest in a piece you may have never looked at twice before?

I also like the story behind the Tiffany classic solitare. I thought it was pretty before the story, but somehow hearing that the design has not changed since 1886 enhances the piece so much more to me.

I find this happens to me a lot (not just with jewelry). I own a LV Speedy (which is an ok looking bag), but I find it appealing because the design has been around since the 1940s.

Does this happen to anyone else? Please share and give examples.
 
#2
I tend to either like a design or not. Although I am very interested in the history of pieces generally, and I may want a type of jewellery after reading about it, for example, a poison ring or a plique a jour slide locket. But I don't think I've ever disliked something and then come around after reading its design or use history...
 
#4
I love history as well, but if I don't like it, I don't like it. I might think something is more interesting, but I won't make it more appealing.

I also don't like the Love bracelet, so you weren't alone in your initial assessment.
 
#5
I tend to find things and then look into the where and what. Like this slide locket. Bought it, then researched it. It's by Meyle & Meyer, and they were known for doing these pieces in plique a jour enamel. It's rare that the enamel isn't broken at some point. I no longer have it but I did get a cherub watch fob they did (damaged, so it didn't cost much) just to have something of theirs later.

95461201.jpg
 
#6
Within the past 2 weeks(:p)I decided that I want a Cartier Love Bangle! My decision has not been influenced by the story at all. I had known the story behind Cartier Love Bracelet for ages, but never really got interesed in them. My decision has purely been fueled by the modeling pics in TPF!

I LOVE the fact that Tiffany classic solitiare has been unchanged, respected and well-beloved since 1886, but which did not enhance my purchase. I bought it because I convinced that the setting really makes the center stone look beautiful and sparkle at best IMO! :D
 
#7
I also love to learn the history of various jewellery pieces. When I like a vintage piece of jewellery, I would look for the history behind it. For example the cameo brooches. I never knew it has its origin since 300BC and of its popularity in ancient Greece. The more I learned about cameos and the significance of the different reliefs the more I love them.

OP, I think the Cartier Love bracelet was cute when I first saw it. However when the SA told me of its history (being a modern day chastity belt) I was kinda turned off by it. I think that had I not known about the history then dh might have bought it.
 
Last edited:
#8
For me, first and foremost is style. I'm not sure that the history of a piece does much for me. But, I do think symbolic meaning behind a piece is a big seller (maybe that goes hand in hand with history... I'm not quite sure???). For example, I love Roberto Coin pieces because of that secret ruby he puts in all his pieces. I love that it is a secret gift of good wishes.
 
#9
i enjoy my pieces purely for the design and how "classic" it is. i tend to build my jewelry collection on brands and items that will be around forever. must be the practical side of me that does this.
 
#11
Mimster said:
I also love to learn the history of various jewellery pieces. When I like a vintage piece of jewellery, I would look for the history behind it. For example the cameo brooches. I never knew it has its origin since 300BC and of its popularity in ancient Greece. The more I learned about cameos and the significance of the different reliefs the more I love them.

OP, I think the Cartier Love bracelet was cute when I first saw it. However when the SA told me of its history (being a modern day chastity belt) I was kinda turned off by it. I think that had I not known about the history then dh might have bought it.
Click to expand...

I think that your statement is very telling. If a piece has a story that you do not like, then you do not buy the piece. Thank you for sharing; I find that so fascinating. When I think of a story, I think of ways it enhances the piece. I never thought about a piece that I did not like the story, but I enjoyed the piece.
 
#13
i was kind of in a similar boat with the cartier LOVE bangle.

when i lived in nyc from 1988-1990, it seems that at that time, all of my cousin's friends were given these bangles and matching LOVE rings from their boyfriends, fiancés, etc. or at least they were expecting one from them. i remember when my cousin got her LOVE ring from her then fiancé (and now husband), it was a HUGE deal. she already had the LOVE bangle so for her, it was an ideal set before & after they got engaged.

for me, after seeing them everywhere back then, i HAD to have one. but i didn't learn about the story behind it until maybe 2 or 3 years ago when we were researching it before we purchased mine. at that point, it made it even more desirable for me. because it was something i had wanted for so long, i never gave up the hope that one day i would get one.

it's funny because when i lived in nyc, i saw them everywhere on everyone, but now that i live out west in colorado, i have yet to see one person wearing one and nobody knows what it signifies. if they ask and i tell them, sadly they have never even heard of cartier, yet the cartier LOVE bangle. but when i visited london, las vegas, los angeles—cities like that, they're more prominent there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top