Masterpiece Bracelets – Personal Statements of Extraordinary Style

Masterpiece Bracelets – Personal Statements of Extraordinary Style

The human race has been in love with bracelets since the beginning of time. Bracelets have been used to adorn the human wrist for thousands of years, with archeological examples being found that date back to 7,500 B.C. in what is now Turkey, and ancient Egypt dating to around 5,000 B.C., as well as some Russian examples that apparently date back even further, over 40,000 years old. Bracelets add a touch of style and sophistication to any wardrobe ensemble, but they can also be beloved for their personal and/or symbolic meaning.  Cuffs feel empowering (ala Wonder Woman), while tennis bracelets often commemorate milestones. Charm bracelets reflect significant memories and life events, and permanent bracelets tend to symbolize eternal unions. But for those who wish to stand out from the crowd, some bracelets are true masterpieces of engineering and design. At PICCHIOTTI, we love the challenge of designing the perfect bracelet that will endure the test of time and become a personal statement of extraordinary style.

“The bracelet presents both obstacles and opportunities for us jewelry designers,” says Giuseppe Picchiotti, founder of the 58-year-old PICCHIOTTI heritage brand. “Bracelets adorn wrists, which are what we call ‘high traffic’ areas, that have lots of motion and potential for contact with hard surfaces such as desks, tables, and doorknobs.  For this reason, many bracelets have been designed over the years with limited styling to ensure durability. But at PICCHIOTTI, we see this so-called obstacle as an opportunity to express our creativity and our distinctive Italian craftsmanship. Creating masterpiece bracelets with exceptional engineering and precision design allows us to showcase some of Mother Nature’s most exquisite gemstones in a way that the wearer can appreciate equally as much as others. We look at our hands all day every day, constantly seeing our wrists. Bracelets are a continual reminder of our self-worth. They elevate our sense of style and boost our confidence. Much like a luxury watch, a masterpiece bracelet is the ultimate symbol of status and refined sophistication.”

Statement Cuffs

Wide cuff bracelets have always been fashionable, starring on red carpets and runways alike, but as recently as Fall/Winter 2024, Vogue pronounced the wide cuff bracelet as one of the top four jewelry trends of the season. In recent years, cuffs have even been seen adorning both wrists. There is a sense of power, status, and self-expression that exudes from a wide cuff bracelet. PICCHIOTTI has been making statement cuffs for decades, each new season ushering in a new look or a fresh array of newly discovered high quality gemstones. New for 2025, PICCHIOTTI is pleased to introduce the “Waves” bracelet  – a contemporary and edgy diamond bracelet featuring rows of undulating diamonds. Each channel of waves holds a white gold bar that is embellished on both ends by singular diamonds.  The visual effect of this bracelet is quite dramatic, and yet, the fluidity of motion in the design softens the overall look in a very sophisticated and charming way. This masterpiece contains almost 31 carats of white diamonds, each individually set with hours of meticulous handcraftsmanship at our atelier in Valenza.

Another iconic PICCHIOTTI statement cuff bracelet is the spectacular yellow gold version of the basket weave bracelet. Studded with white diamond, this bold yellow gold cuff is a wardrobe classic, the width attracting attention and the sophisticated design making it a perfect accessory for a variety of Couture fashion ensembles. It is engineered with two hinges that open outwards for the wrist to slide gently into the bracelet. The hinges also snap closed because of a hidden spring, making it easy to wear and very comfortable.

As a brand renowned for superlative color gemstones, PICCHIOTTI also offers Masterpieces in colored gemstone bracelets. The Ruby and Diamond Ribbon Cuff features almost 11 carats of baguette cut rubies, each precisely recut in a specialized Valenza shop to fit the curves and folds of the ribbon-like design. Entwined with ribbons made of almost 20 carats of round white diamonds, this curvilinear jumble in 18K gold is a mesmerizing delight for the eye. Its one-of-a-kind design adds a heightened elegance to the wrist of any who wear it. It will be cherished, worn, and appreciated as an heirloom for generations to come.

Tennis Bracelets, Stackables

Another classic piece in a fine jewelry wardrobe is the tennis bracelet. There are many tennis bracelets to choose from at various levels of quality and price, but PICCHIOTTI opted to create true masterpieces in tennis bracelets and push the envelope in terms of both its design and engineering. The traditional “tennis bracelet” is designed as a symmetrical row of white diamonds in a single line.  Over the decades, however, tennis bracelets have evolved into a wider variety of styles. The world renowned Xpandable™️ collection introduced by PICCHIOTTI on the brand’s 50^th anniversary in 2017 is filled with “tennis bracelets” – white diamond styles that truly fit the moniker of “masterpiece.”  Superlative diamonds are linked with hidden technology that allows the bracelet to easily expand and contract, removing the need for a cumbersome clasp. (To see how it functions, visit the home page of the PICCHIOTTI.com website to watch the video or view this short clip.) The engineering is impressive, given its combined durability and flexibility, allowing the PICCHIOTTI design team to expand the look over the years to now include hundreds of styles. Who says tennis bracelets must only be white diamonds. Known for colored gemstones, PICCHIOTTI has embraced the concept of colorful tennis bracelets and offers a variety of designs featuring rubies, emeralds, sapphires, as well as diamonds, mixing and matching cuts, colors, metals, and widths.

Above and beyond the obvious benefit of solving the problem with bracelet clasps, the next best thing about Xpandable masterpieces is their versatility for stacking. Classic white tennis bracelets wear well with luxury watches and smart watches alike. And many PICCHIOTTI fans collect a new Xpandable bracelet every year to build a contemporary wrist stack to wear with any number of sleeves, dresses, sweaters, and suits. The look is sublime – sophisticated and personal, as no one else would have the exact same stack.

PICCHIOTTI also offers non-traditional styles such as the bracelet featuring white diamond and heart-shaped blue sapphires. The brand’s signature baguette cut diamonds frame each heart and the center row of emerald cut diamonds is flanked by round diamonds, creating an impressive width and a truly impactful sparkle at the wrist. Additionally, PICCHIOTTI stretches the boundaries of the “tennis bracelet” definition with a variety of options that feature very few diamonds. Opaque gemstones like mother of pearl, lapis, onyx, turquoise, and coral form the core of the Xpandable 8158 series of bracelets. With diamond accents between each section of hard stone, these subdued bracelets are perfect for daily wear and can be stacked in a wide variety of hues. Each is a masterpiece of cutting, polishing, and metalsmithing, and yet they blend seamlessly and fit with our contemporary lifestyles and more casual approach to fashion.

Chain Links

The classic chain link bracelet is another wardrobe favorite. Many are made by machine and manufactured in large quantities. PICCHIOTTI prefers a more artistic touch. True masterpieces in Italian gold link bracelets come from ingenuity and know-how. The PICCHIOTTI atelier is filled with veteran goldsmiths who can craft each link with precision and finesse, allowing the finished piece to appear casual and understated, despite the incredible amount of work that goes into each.

A couple of years ago, PICCHIOTTI created new Xpandable designs that look like chain link bracelets, offering ease (no clasp) and elegance for an everyday look. The large geometric links have the classic Italian open link appeal, and many are studded with diamonds for some additional refinement. The same look is now being offered with turquoise and gold links, for those who love a bit of color. The genius of this particular masterpiece is in both its simplicity and its wearability. This is not a masterpiece that will sit in the safe – it can be worn and enjoyed on a regular basis, no matter how casual our on-the-go lifestyles become. There is also a turquoise version for lovers of bright colors.

The design team also created a PICCHIOTTI Easy Wear link bracelet that combines yellow and white gold with precision diamond rondels and a strong magnetic clasp for easy self-closure.  The link bracelet has a comfortable weight and a smooth surface, allowing it to be worn with sweaters and delicate fabrics. It can also be stacked. And for those who love link bracelets and want the option of stacking, the latest PICCHIOTTI link bracelets offer a bevy of bright colors made with titanium infused ceramic that will stand the test of time and remain equally as bright in hue for generations to come.

Commanding Color

Color is where PICCHIOTTI truly shines. Having made a name for himself over more than five decades as a color gemstone expert, Giuseppe Picchiotti loves to seek out only the very highest quality of gems, what he calls “superlative gemstones.” And when it comes to bracelets, the true pièces de resistance are the ruby, sapphire, and emerald bracelets! No one sources gemstones quite like PICCHIOTTI. It is the family’s mission in life to secure the very highest qualities of gemstones from around the world and use them to create unparalleled jewels of exquisite beauty. The amount of time, effort, and attention that is paid to finding the gemstones, matching them perfectly, re-cutting them to fit the precise designs… the skill sets required and the devotion to excellence are nothing short of mind-blowing. One could argue that almost every PICCHIOTTI gem is a Masterpiece in one way or another. As we look specifically at bracelets, the new geometric, Art Deco inspired bracelet of white diamonds and emeralds is inspirational! The play of light amongst the diamond pattern delights the eye and the cap of color with the 38 carats of emeralds is a rare treat. It is rare to find emeralds in a bracelet, making this a breathtaking find.

Even the Xpandables have true masterpieces. The technology is strong enough to allow for setting truly exceptional gems like Pigeon’s blood rubies or these immaculately cut and matched octagonal sapphires in the bracelet shown above. The square emerald-cut diamonds interspersed between the mini layouts of deep blue sapphires creates a geometric symmetry that is not only pleasing to the eye but also secure for daily wear, given the meticulous craftsmanship. This bracelet is perfect for fans of blue or those who love patterns in fabric like houndstooth and tweed or the classic checkered Chanel blazer. It also stands out with monochrome ensembles such as winter whites. Each gemstone is set by hand in the PICCHIOTTI atelier under high powered microscopes to ensure just the right angle for maximum sparkle.

Another collection for pattern lovers is PICCHIOTTI’s Gem Ceramic collection. Tiles of titanium hardened ceramic in a variety of colors are used to make gorgeous designs with 18K gold and gemstones. The white gem ceramic bracelet above features magnificent rubies, both oval and buff topped, set in 18K rose gold in a pattern that almost looks like trompe l’oeil. The black ceramic bracelet features large princess cut diamonds and baguettes in a star design with 18K yellow gold, reminiscent of the bygone Jazz Age era. These bracelets are truly classic in style and yet feel fresh and new, versatile enough to wear with almost anything in the wardrobe.

Masterpieces are rare. True quality shines when remarkable gemstones from nature are handled with creativity, originality, time-honored skill sets, and profound balance. PICCHIOTTI’s beloved precision and elegance are hallmarks of the brand but also reasons that some of their bracelets are true masterpieces. What takes hours of hand workmanship results in a jewel that can be worn forever with sophistication and grace. “A woman’s jewelry should be as unique as she is,” says Guiseppe. So, choose well and wear your beloved masterpieces. Don’t let them sit in the safe. Celebrate the gift that is every single day and make each one sparkle just a bit more by choosing the perfect bracelet.

 

Feature image at top – clockwise from upper left – PICCHIOTTI Waves diamond bracelet, model wearing PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces Sapphire and Diamond bracelet, PICCHIOTTI Masterpieces Ruby and Diamond bracelet

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