Photo by Faseeh Fawaz on Unsplash
In 2008, Russian excavators studying the famous Denisova cave in Siberia unearthed an ancient marvel: a beautifully sculpted chlorite bangle. Approximately 50,000-65,000 years old, this small green bangle has completely rewritten our understanding of ancient society, suggesting that millenia before humankind even invented the wheel, they invented the bangle. Priorities. The bangle has remained a staple of statement jewelry since its Denisovan debut, cropping up in the ancient ruins of Mayan, Mauryan, Egyptian, Roman, Indian, and Chinese civilizations. A European revival centuries later brought the bangle back to the jewelry boxes of the Victorians who loved an engraved cameo moment. Today, modern versions of this classic bangle design appear in yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, silver, or leather, and are often studded with diamonds, gemstones, or charms. People across time have returned to the universality of the bangle design over and over because at its core, the bangle is timeless.
Jewelry is supposed to tell a story, so what’s yours? Do you want to hold court like Queen Victoria, or return to your roots and “Walk Like an Egyptian”*? Whatever your aesthetic, Deustch has the bangle for you!
Chunky, yet Funky
If your personal style is all about bold patterns, vivid metallics, and daring statement pieces, then a chunky cuff bangle is the perfect accessory for you.
John Apel Jewelry is known for their nature-inspired pieces and their absolutely fabulous cuff bangles. Look no further than this gorgeous mixed-metal yellow gold and silver bangle to see why. Twin buttery yellow gold suns sit in a cool sterling silver sky, with one sun boasting a flawless row of .53 ct round bezel set black diamonds, and the other, a contrasting row of .60 ct white diamonds. Balance, yin and yang, and symmetry are the themes of this cuff bangle, a stunning statement piece whatever the occasion.
A red carpet and editorial favorite, Buccellati are famous for their textured gold jewelry and silver pieces. The Macri Cuff Bracelet perfectly showcases the Italian jeweler’s signature style. Each piece exhibits the “rigato” engraving style unique to Buccellati, which allows the metal surface to softly reflect light in the same way that a luxurious silk does. The delicate sheen of the “rigato” cuff complements the sparkle of the brilliant cut diamonds, each nestled in a star-shaped rosette, while reflective beads add further texture and light. The Macri Cuff Bracelet is sure to inspire awe and envy, particularly when paired with additional pieces in the Macri collection.
If We Could Turn Back Time
Do you dream of life in a period drama? Have you spent all of lockdown binge-watching Downton Abbey, Bridgerton, and The Crown? Then an antique-style bangle might be the one for you!
Armenta, a woman-run Houston company, specialises in antique-style handcrafted pieces. Inspired by the classic elegance of Old World Spanish architecture, the Old World collection combines vivid turquoise with moody black accents, set in darkened sterling silver or rich yellow gold. The result is a one-of-a-kind collection which simultaneously appears centuries old and brand new. This 18k yellow gold and sterling silver bangle features vivid blue turquoise, white quartz, and stunning white pavé diamonds. As a thinner piece, it is ideal for stacking, and could be paired with similar Old World collection pieces such as this rose gold bangle, enameled with turquoise and studded with champagne diamonds, or this blackened sterling silver bangle, with yellow gold, turquoise, mother of pearl, and quartz accents. If yellow gold isn’t your thing, the New World collection is full of dreamy sterling silver bangles with ornate antique details, like scroll engravings and dazzling champagne diamonds.
Talk to me, Harry Winston, tell me all about it!
If your tastes could be boiled down to one word, it would be: BLING! You live for the sparkle, and while you appreciate pretty engravings, your number one priority is diamonds. For you, the obvious choice is a diamond bangle.
Picchiotti is world-famous for their diamond and gemstone jewelry. In addition to continuing the long legacy of impeccable Picchiotti designs, the Xpandable™ collection, which first debuted in 2016, introduces a revolutionary level of comfort to fine jewelry. New, and more importantly, invisible technology allows the jewelry to expand or contract to fit the wearer perfectly. The Xpandable™ collection boasts an astonishing number of flexible bracelets. There’s a classic diamond stretch bangle, a diamond and sapphire stretch bangle, a white gold and yellow gold stretch bangle with diamonds and rubies, and even a white gold and yellow gold stretch bangle with emeralds. Show off your bling with a one of a kind fit!
Kwiat was founded in 1907 in the original diamond district of New York City, and since then, have maintained an illustrious status as one of the world’s premier family-owned jewelry houses. Diamonds are their specialty, and each Kwiat diamond is cut to ensure maximum quality, brilliance, and sparkle. Timeless, stylish, and deliciously stackable, their Three Row Pave Diamond Bangle comes in both 18k yellow gold and 18k white gold, and while simple in design, it truly dazzles like no other. If you truly want to up your bangle game, this diamond bangle, from Kwiat’s Starry Night Collection, is a sophisticated, but unique choice guaranteed to turn heads. Pieces from this collection play with light beautifully, especially in the case of this 18k white gold bangle. The alternating shapes of the diamonds create a quirky silhouette that expresses both playfulness and individuality, and, of course, shows off plenty of sparkle!