This Week's Obsession: Hardware

Lockdown is almost over, and we are starting to think what we will wear as soon as we step outside. If, like many of us, you’ve spent most of the lockdown travelling from your bedroom bay window to the kitchen island and minutely inspecting every inch of wall or floor; maybe you had time to do all the home repairs you were always putting off. But when we say hardware, instead of thinking of hammers, bolts and nuts, we invite you to think of some fabulous chunky utilitarian jewellery.

While we’re all for graceful jewellery pieces with delicate floral motifs or stunning gemstones, there’s something refreshing about putting on an unconventional accessory, like say, a bolt-and-lock necklace. One trend that has caught our eye is hardware-inspired jewellery, characterised by industrial elements such as nails, bolts, and keys.

Of course, we have the classic Cartier love bracelet that is given to you with its own little screwdriver so your lover can set it on your wrist. They also have launched their ‘Juste un Clou’ collection, which unfortunately for us does cost more than just a "clou".

Tiffany has always had it most identifiable chain necklace, and it just launched its new Tiffany City Hardwear, we love the play on words. The beautiful piece in the photo above is from this collection.

Bulgari has come out with some gender-neutral jewellery, so let's face it our jewellery is no longer safe from the prying hands of partners, but as we say at Covett, sharing is caring and the more the merrier. Now you can both contribute to expanding your jewellery collection, and as we know, Covett makes that easy to do, with lower investment and without the risks or hassles.

Five Fabulous Facts about the Cartier bracelet:

In 2016 the bracelet was the most Googled piece of jewellery in the entire world.
When the bracelet was first launched, Cartier gave pairs of them to some of the most famous couples of the 20th century, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen, and Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti.
It was intended to be worn by both men and women. They were referred to as "modern love handcuff" for the way in which they are secured using a screwdriver.
Cartier began engraving each bracelet with a unique number that is kept on file for proof of authenticity.
It is rumoured that Cartier once prohibited customers from buying Love bracelets for themselves, with a policy stating that they could only be purchased by a couple.

PADLOCKS

Speaking of lockdowns or being in your house under lock and key during this pandemic. An image that might come to mind is of the padlock, which jewellery designers have decided to take from the subconscious collective out into the open. The padlock has been cropping up in the collections of fashion and jewellery houses this spring. You can see them hanging off from belts, purses and made into earrings, necklaces, bracelets and rings.

While the padlock’s duality – of hard and soft, masculine and feminine, connectivity and freedom – strikes a powerful chord today, it’s been a romantic emblem for centuries. It was all the rage in the early 19th century – gold padlocks, sometimes heart-shaped with filigree and rocaille work, were often set with gems, spelling messages of love. Dainty "lockets" in which people would keep a locket of their lovers’ hair, but this has evolved to many different pieces and uses. Notice the padlock in the Tiffany City Hardwear Wrap Bracelet, pictured above.

Usually, we lock up anything that is valuable, to either hide or protect. A lock on a handbag is a protective seal of a woman's private world. But a lock works both ways, it also opens up; lets you in to the treasure trove, it opens up and gives you access. We at Covett love this symbol as we also give access to the fine jewellery of your dreams with all the safety of protecting and taking care of it for you.

Have you been locked up for too long? Have you locked-down a healthy routine? Have you ever thought of fastening a padlock to the Pont des Arts in Paris as a statement of your love? What does a padlock mean to you? We look forward to reading your answers in our Instagram @Covettluxury