Cartier Love Bracelet, Zoe Lev Custom Cuban Link Bracelet, Initial Bracelet from the RealReal
You see them everywhere on Insta, you know what I’m talking about: that basic blogger bracelet, the Cartier Love bracelet. Whoever does Cartier influencer marketing should get a raise for doing such a great job of infiltrating the minds of women to the point where they aspire to get a gold bracelet that was inspired by chastity belts used by husbands to “lock-up” their wives. It’s a modern day handcuff to show that you’re taken. Or really, it’s just the basic bitches’ bracelet. And now I’m one of ‘em.
I’ve purchased bracelets for myself in the past, telling myself that I don’t need a heavy gold bangle like the Cartier Love Bracelet (which is marked up because of the name and icon status). And for awhile I was really happy with an antique art deco bracelet (pictured above) purchased from one of my favorite Etsy shops. Unfortunately I lost that one somewhere in Tahoe last year when the clasp failed (wah!).
So after a grueling month of grief cleaning and with some of my inheritance money, I impulsively purchased the Love Bracelet I wanted in Hawaii (not cheaper in Hawaii but at least sales tax is only 4%). And TBH I don’t regret it one bit. First of all, I got the small Love bracelet (the thinner one) because it’s not only cheaper but also easier to put on and remove by myself. The traditional (thicker) love bracelet has to be screwed in on both sides. And so you really are handcuffed-in since you need someone (ie your significant other) to unscrew it for you. But the small bracelet is hinged so you only need to unscrew one side, which can easily be done by yourself. I also love that the smaller bracelet is light and unobtrusive.
I also bought it because it’s something I know I can pass down to my daughter (whether she wants to keep it or hawk it, is of course up to her). But this will be something that’ll be part of my daily jewelry, something she’ll see me wearing as she grows up. And hopefully it will be meaningful for her. Also I bought it as a reminder to myself that life is short so you have to enjoy it while you can. I saw that my dad had saved all his money to enjoy at a later time (he planned to do a bunch of traveling), but sadly that never day came. He got hit by a car as a pedestrian two years ago (right when he was ready to travel), and it was a grueling recovery process that he never fully recovered from. Of course I’m not advocating spending all the money that you have just because life is short, but if you have a bit of an emergency fund, some investments, and no debt I think it’s fully ok to treat yourself once in awhile.
And lastly partially funded this purchase by selling my stainless steel Cartier tank watch (in the picture above) to Fashionphile. I hardly wore this silver watch anymore since I wear more gold jewelry these days. And I had already sold a Cartier Love Necklace I had earlier this year (the chain kept pinching and pulling out the hair on the back of my neck— that one wasn’t worth it IMO). So one Cartier in, two Cartier pieces out. That seems fair right? Also a bracelet I wear 24/7 is just a better value to me than a watch and necklace I wear once in awhile. And in case of fire, having something on me that I can evacuate with beats something I have to remember to pack and carry out with me.
Also if anyone is going to (symbolically) handcuff me, you better believe it’s going to be myself and not anyone else lol.
P.S. I also considered buying this used over at Fashionphile for the longest time (current selection here), but when I went into the store to determine which size I should get, I decided to let myself purchase it new. For reference, I’m a size 15 (which is the smallest available) and I comfortably wear bracelets with a circumference of 5.75 inches. I still think the Cartier bracelets on Fashionphile are a great deal, especially if you can find one that has the certificate, case, and screwdriver. And I will probably go that route if I decide to purchase another Cartier bracelet (perhaps the small Juste Un Clou next?). The RealReal also has a selection of Cartier Love Bracelets, and if you have some credit there it might be a good place to purchase.
P.P.S. As a blogger/consumer concerned with ethics, I naturally was curious about the ethics behind Cartier. I’m glad to have found some good news about their sourcing of their gold and diamonds.
{December 2020 Update: So it’s been over a year since I’ve gotten this bracelet and I’ve only taken it off once (for surgery). But other than that I’ve been wearing it all day every day and I think it still looks great! Of course it has minor scratches due to normal wear and tear but I view that as more of a “patina” on the bracelet. So do I think it’s still worth it one year later? You betcha lol. So much so that I’ve recommended it to close friends (as a push present) and blog readers alike. I still think it’s a great “investment” that you can look at daily. Here is what the bracelet looks like now:
Also for those who are interested in another Cartier review, here is a review of my Cartier watches. And you can find all my other jewelry reviews here.
{February 2022 Update: I just wrote a little bit about how I feel about the bracelet now in this post here.}
{September 2024 Update: I really don’t wear this bracelet as much anymore, but I just wanted to add there’s a new Cartier favorite in my life right now: the Trinity ring. You can see my Cartier Trinity Ring Review here.}