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The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing

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With so much novelty in the earring category (Climbers! Cuffs!) the arm parties of yore — colossal stacks of mismatched bracelets worn together in a jumble — have been displaced as the center of the jewelry universe. That doesn’t mean that wrists have to go bare to look current.

Tanya Dukes


Senior editor, INSTORE and INDESIGN.
W

ith so much novelty in the earring category (Climbers! Cuffs!) the arm parties of yore — colossal stacks of mismatched bracelets worn together in a jumble — have been displaced as the center of the jewelry universe. That doesn’t mean that wrists have to go bare to look current.

Instead of wearing a cascade of lots of little pieces, the pendulum is poised to swing in the opposite direction. Slipping into a single piece with a bit of heft to it is the cool way to wear bracelets now. And it doesn’t take a revolutionary, avant-garde design to do the trick. Some of the styles on the verge of popularity are variations on the classic link bracelet.

Texture and tiny details are what distinguish the new link bracelets from their predecessors. Instead of perfectly regular, high-shine pieces, look for styles that feature a mix of metals, finishes and colors—sometimes all at once. They’re reassuringly familiar but still have enough flair to look contemporary. Some designers are tweaking familiar formulas in their own image: Ann Dexter-Jones ID bracelets feature a sliver of semiprecious stone where ordinarily an engraving would appear and the closure of Loren Stewart’s Cuban link chain is in the shape of a playful barbell charm.

Any of the pieces in this slideshow looks perfect worn solo, but if the impulse to layer is too powerful to ignore, it’s easy enough to mix them with another bracelet or two.

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Spinelli Kilcollin Periodic bracelet in silver and 18K gold with grey diamonds, MSRP: $14,000

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Ann Dexter Jones Design malachite and silver ID bracelet, MSRP: $3,630

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Loren Stewart Cuban sterling silver chain charm bracelet, MSRP: $495

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Aurélie Bidermann 18K hammered link bracelet, MSRP: $4,220

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Malcolm Betts silver and 22K heavy link bracelet

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Ippolita Glamazon sterling silver bracelet, MSRP: $795

 

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Looking for a Seamless Sale? Call Wilkerson

After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”

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Fine Jewelry Design

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing

mm

Published

on

With so much novelty in the earring category (Climbers! Cuffs!) the arm parties of yore — colossal stacks of mismatched bracelets worn together in a jumble — have been displaced as the center of the jewelry universe. That doesn’t mean that wrists have to go bare to look current.

Tanya Dukes


Senior editor, INSTORE and INDESIGN.
W

ith so much novelty in the earring category (Climbers! Cuffs!) the arm parties of yore — colossal stacks of mismatched bracelets worn together in a jumble — have been displaced as the center of the jewelry universe. That doesn’t mean that wrists have to go bare to look current.

Instead of wearing a cascade of lots of little pieces, the pendulum is poised to swing in the opposite direction. Slipping into a single piece with a bit of heft to it is the cool way to wear bracelets now. And it doesn’t take a revolutionary, avant-garde design to do the trick. Some of the styles on the verge of popularity are variations on the classic link bracelet.

Texture and tiny details are what distinguish the new link bracelets from their predecessors. Instead of perfectly regular, high-shine pieces, look for styles that feature a mix of metals, finishes and colors—sometimes all at once. They’re reassuringly familiar but still have enough flair to look contemporary. Some designers are tweaking familiar formulas in their own image: Ann Dexter-Jones ID bracelets feature a sliver of semiprecious stone where ordinarily an engraving would appear and the closure of Loren Stewart’s Cuban link chain is in the shape of a playful barbell charm.

Any of the pieces in this slideshow looks perfect worn solo, but if the impulse to layer is too powerful to ignore, it’s easy enough to mix them with another bracelet or two.

Advertisement
The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Spinelli Kilcollin Periodic bracelet in silver and 18K gold with grey diamonds, MSRP: $14,000

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Ann Dexter Jones Design malachite and silver ID bracelet, MSRP: $3,630

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Loren Stewart Cuban sterling silver chain charm bracelet, MSRP: $495

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Aurélie Bidermann 18K hammered link bracelet, MSRP: $4,220

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Malcolm Betts silver and 22K heavy link bracelet

The Chain Gang: Hefty Link Bracelets Are the New New Thing
Ippolita Glamazon sterling silver bracelet, MSRP: $795

 

 

For daily news, blogs and tips jewelers need, subscribe to our email bulletins here.

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Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.
blog comments powered by Disqus

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

Looking for a Seamless Sale? Call Wilkerson

After almost 60 years in business, Breakiron Jewelers in Erie, Pennsylvania, was closing its doors. And the store’s owner, Linda Breakiron, was ready for it. She had run the store as its sole owner since the beginning of the millennium and was looking forward to a change. Of course, she called Wilkerson. Breakiron talked to other jewelers who had used Wilkerson and was satisfied with their response. “They always had positive feedback,” she recalls. With the sales, marketing and even additional inventory that Wilkerson provided, Breakiron insists she could never have accomplished her going-out-of-business sale without Wilkerson’s help. She’s now ready for the journey ahead, but looking back, she’d be sure to recommend Wilkerson. “They just made the whole process very seamless.”

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