Sandra‘s Closet

Celebrate the arrival of summer time with these new limited edition bracelets by DIOR that will stand out beautifully against sun-kissed skin. Personally speaking, my temptation to stack these pieces in vibrant hues is even stronger in summer: a mish-mash of whisper-thin pieces jangling against each other on a tanned wrist evokes a holiday mood, whatever the temperature outside.

DIOR’s Rose des Vents collection is a prime example: first launched in 2015 (for a previous post, click here please), the house has cleverly come up with a constant supply of new colors and designs – first were the pretty little bracelets with lapis, pink opal, mother-of-pearl and turquoise; later the medallion-like charm was studded entirely with diamonds, rendered in various colours on long sautoir necklaces and covered with onyx.

This summer the eight-pronged star, inspired by an old maritime navigational tool, appears in three limited edition colors, pink, orange and green. I love to flip the bracelets between the plain and embellished surfaces.

On my arm are these Rose des Vents bracelets from top to bottom:
– 18k white gold, diamond and pink ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
– 18k yellow gold, diamond and green ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
–  18k pink gold, diamond and orange ceramic lacquer (limited summer edition)
– 18k yellow gold, diamond and turquoise (permanent collection)

The perfect way to elevate the fresh summer accessories one step up, is to paint your nails in a vibrant hue that looks particularly flattering against bronzed skin. Part of Christian Louboutin Beauty‘s limited edition «Loubiflash» collection, these mini lacquers come in the matching colors to complement Dior’s summer bracelets.
Turquoise «Dragonflash» – Orange «Crosta Meteor» – Pink «Neoprene»

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Dior and © Sandra Bauknecht

A rare enamel and diamond wristwatch designed by Bvlgari in 1965 was sold on June 4th at Christie’s in London from a private collection. This extraordinary sale, tripling the estimate, has set a new world record price for a Bvlgari snake watch at an auction.

Enamel & diamond snake watch, by Bvlgari, circa 1965

The iconic piece, estimated between $300.780 and $417.750 fetched more than $ 1 Million, changing hands for the final price of $1.107.038. The Roman jeweler, today part of the LVMH Group, celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. The important achievement at Christie’s is testament to the investment value Bvlgari jewelry has, now for over a century.

Serpenti Watch
Quartz movement. 40 mm 18-ct pink gold case, dial and double-spiral bracelet set with brilliant-cut diamonds and turquoises. Eyes in turquoises. SPP40D2GD2T.2T

Since their first introduction as wristwatches in the 1940s, the Serpenti creations became the icons of Bvlgari’s creativity. As the years went by, eclectic reinterpretations in tune with major trends and prestigious endorsements consolidated their status of brand icons.

No leader of the ancient world is more closely associated with the snake than Cleopatra. Strongly intertwined to the Roman Empire through her love affairs with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony, when she first arrived in Rome in 46 BC, the cheering crowd could admire her beauty enhanced through the coiled gold snake bracelets that were adorning her body.
Almost 2000 years later, in the 1960s, Elizabeth Taylor could not resist to ask her favourite jeweller in Rome at via Condotti 10, to create especially for her a Serpenti bracelet, that she was wearing on the set of Cleopatra, as the new queen of the Nile (see photo in the first collage).

Serpenti Watch
Quartz movement. 40 mm 18-ct white gold case, dial and double-spiral bracelet set with brilliant-cut diamonds and onyx. Eyes in onyx SPW40D2GD2O.2T

I am a huge fan of the Serpenti watches and cannot wait to finally have one on my wrist…

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Bvlgari

Get ready to add more jewelry pieces to your Tiffany & Co. wish list. Trendsetter and fashionista Olivia Palermo couldn’t resist the little turquoise box neither and sports the new Atlas collection already on her wrist.

The new line offers all the power and magnetism that made this celebrated design a fashion icon. Introduced in 1995, the collection is named for the mythic Greek god who holds aloft an enormous globe – an apt symbol for a collection that makes an impact around the world. The Atlas collection explores the raised Roman numerals of its archetype, the Atlas watch that was launched in 1983 and that was granted a rare U.S. patent for its originality.

The latest options continue the evolution of Atlas, with its classical Roman numerals styled in jewelry that is eternally modern, chic and sophisticated.

The clean-cut numerals assert their timeless beauty in the prime asset to own now: an Atlas bangle of spirited versatility. Tiffany circles the numbers in cutouts of 18 karat yellow, pink or white gold, defining style in lean, confident strides. Bordered with sparkling diamonds, this major design statement makes for bold band rings, as well, circled with diamonds or shaped in smooth, polished metal.

Other options that figure prominently include narrow bracelets with fine chains that drape the wrist and a great open medallion in gleaming sterling silver. Altogether the jewelry generates a sensuous play of light that casts a luster over dressing day and night.

Every variation on the theme shines with a chic sophistication that is the essence of Tiffany. Definitively American in its bold simplicity, Atlas embodies the strength of the brand, and of the stylish women who wear it all over the world. A true fashion statement of its own…

The Tiffany Atlas jewelry collection is available now at Tiffany & Co. locations worldwide.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Tiffany & Co.

Today, I would like to show you my new jewel crush: Bulgari‘s 2012 Serpenti collection which will be available starting this summer at all of the Italian brand’s boutiques.

I had a sneak preview and fell immediately in love with the pink gold bracelet and ring that are characterised by the famous stylised spiral form. The core of each jewel is constituted by an internal gold spring that ensures its extraordinary flexibility. Each individual scale vaunts a sumptuous surface of diamond pavé. A rubellite adorns the “reptile’s head”.

Don’t those two pieces just look divine?! Loved them so much that it was hard to take them off…
But unfortunately this beauty has its price. Below you can find all the details.

Dear Santa, please be good to me!

LoL, Sandra

347601 – Serpenti pink gold one coil bracelet with rubellite head and pavé-set diamond scales (8,40 cts).
Size S – 45’000CHF / Size M – 46’200CHF / Size L – 47’500CHF

347594 – Serpenti pink gold double coil ring with rubellite head and pavé-set diamond scales (2,60 cts).
Size S, M, L, XL – 20’600CHF

Stills: Courtesy of Bulgari and Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

“Juste un clou”, bracelet, yellow gold, large size

Turn a nail into jewelry, see beauty in its barest, clearest state and reveal the object just as it is. From the toolbox to your jewel box, Cartier‘s new collection “Juste un clou” offers just a nail yet a precious item of jewellery.

The first nail bracelet was originally conceived by Aldo Cipullo for Cartier New York in the ’70s. Echoing the festive wildness at heart that sprung up around the iconic Studio 54, this classic piece was ahead of its time, displaying a modernity that remains up to date: the bracelet is back, redesigned to nail contemporary style.

Bracelets and rings in yellow, white or pink gold, natural or paved with diamonds, in large and small sizes. The proverbial nail on the head. So ’70s and so chic!
In Cartier boutiques now.

LoL, Sandra

“Juste un clou” ring, pink gold, diamonds

“Juste un clou” bracelet, pink gold, small size, “Juste un clou” bracelet, white gold, small size, “Juste un clou” bracelet, pink gold, diamonds, small size, “Juste un clou” bracelet, yellow gold, small size

Photos: © Cartier 2012