For centuries, jewellery has been considered wearable art, pieces of extraordinary craftsmanship, high quality and beauty. Several jewellery brands have established themselves as temples of luxury, from the Renaissance-inspired works of Milanese jeweller Buccellati to the worldwide renown of Tiffany and Cartier.
Here are the nine most-searched jewellery brands on Barnebys:
9. Buccellati
Founded in 1919 in Italy by Mario Buccellati, Buccellati is touted for its intricate rings, studded cuffs, fine silverware and sophisticated craftsmanship. The exquisite jewellery confections are inspired by the structures of Renaissance and Gothic architecture, intricacies of Venetian lace, and the wonders of nature, from tree leaves to animals. The company is still helmed by descendants of Mario Buccellati who uphold his original visions.
8. Ole Lynggaard
Danish jeweller Ole Lynggaard is known for delicate jewellery, inspired by his travels around the world, including pieces of exotic animals and a variety of flora and fauna. Now, Lynggard works with his daughter Charlotte on designing the fine gold and silver pieces, including charm bracelets, animal pendents and gem-studded rings, which blend an innovative vision with high quality craftsmanship.
7. Georg Jensen
At just 14 years of age, Georg Jensen began learning the art of goldsmithing in Copenhagen during the late 19th century. Jensen soon opened his own workshop in the Danish capital, creating pieces inspired by the Art Nouveau movement. In 1972, the company was taken over by Danish porcelain manufacturer, Royal Copenhagen. Today, Georg Jensen's jewellery line includes rings, cufflinks and necklaces: popular collections are the dainty 'Dew Drop' collection, the timeless 'Infinity' collection and the sculptural 'Moonlight Grapes' collection.
6. Hermès
First selling fine equestrian accessories in the 19th century, Hermès has morphed into an international fashion and luxury powerhouse. While the French brand is beloved for its handbags, scarves and home décor, its intricately patterned enamel bracelets and watches have also established it as a fine jewellery destination.
5. Bulgari
The major Italian jewellery brand was originally a silversmith shop in Greece, until the founder Sotirios Voulgaris opened the first Bulgari store in Rome in 1884. Voulgaris' early work was inspired by ornate Islamic and Byzantine designs crafted in silver, but the brand later branched out into Art Deco work. The Serpenti collection from the late 1940s has become Bulgari's iconic design: the spiral snake-shaped bracelets, cuffs and watches.
4. Fabergé
Although the name Fabergé is now synonymous with the bejewelled Easter eggs of the Russian tsars, it was originally founded in 1837 by the French-born Gustav Fabergé, who designed French-inspired jewellery for Russian aristocrats. By 1885, the company became the official goldsmiths to the Imperial Crown. Although the company was nationalised in 1918 in Russia, it re-opened and operated in Paris until 2001. Today, the Fabergé name has been sold to another jewellery manufacturer, which continues to produce pieces in the original vision of the brand, but the vintage pieces of the 19th and early 20th century are the most coveted at auction.
3. Van Cleef & Arpels
The Parisian-based Van Cleef & Arpels was founded in 1896 to design lavish pieces for the city's elite. The Alhambra collection, launched in 1968 with the four leaf clover motif, is the brand's most iconic design. The collection is named for the Alhambra, a Moorish palace and fortress in Granada, Spain. In 1966, Van Cleef was tapped to design Empress Farah Pahlavi's coronation crown, which took nearly a year to design and make, with over 1,500 jewels.
2. Tiffany & Co.
Charles Lewis Tiffany, founder of Tiffany & Co. in 1837, was considered the world's King of Diamonds. Tiffany cemented his reputation when he bought and sold some of the French Crown Jewels from the Louvre. Tiffany's shade of robin egg blue is synonymous with the brand, which caters to all price levels with affordable silver and gold pieces up to lavish bejewelled confections.
1. Cartier
The most-searched brand, Cartier, evokes iconic designs: the Love bracelet, the Infinity ring, the Toussaint diamond necklace... A perfect blend of French elegance and Swiss expertise, Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-François Cartier. It initially marketed pocket watches, brooches and ladies' castellans in the lounges of its historic boutique, located on rue de la Paix. The timeless international brand, known for its sophisticated rings, bracelets, necklaces and watches, is as popular as ever and Cartier's original designs, many made for royalty, fetch millions at auction.
