Chanel Jewelry: Costume to Fine Jewelry

Gabrielle Chanel, more commonly known as Coco Chanel, was a renowned French fashion designer. Perhaps most famous for the perfume Chanel No. 5, she started out her career as a hat and dress maker. By 1932, Chanel ventured into the jewelry business.

Her first line represented collaboration with Paul Iribe. The pieces were a commissioned line that would take comets and diamonds as their sources of inspiration. The International Guild of Diamond Merchants asked for a certain measure of flamboyance to accompany the pieces. Iribe and Chanel decided to pick platinum as the base metal and rely solely on diamonds for the sparkle and shine. 

Chanel did not stick to the expensive baubles that made her name famous in the jewelry trade. Instead, the company turned its attention to costume jewelry. Although these pieces had not generally attracted a large following among the well-to-do, the mere fact that Chanel attached her name to them made them overnight sensations. Within a few short months, owning and wearing Chanel became de rigueur for the fashionistas of the time.

In the late 1990s, the Chanel Company revived the fine jewelry tradition started by its founder. Unafraid to display its wares next to old jewelry houses from across the globe, Chanel now proudly sells jewelry that features either 18-karat gold or platinum 950. There are currently eight distinct collections in the company lineup.

1. High Jewelry. Featuring the 80^th anniversary line of “1932” and the “Jardin de Camelias,” the former line recreates the famous commissioned pieces from nearly a century ago. Since Chanel appreciated the symbolism of the camellia, that particular line features a wide variety of variations on the theme. The sincere fan wears hers as a brooch.
2. Camelia. Mostly stylistic versions of the flower come to life on rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings.
3. Comete. A collection that features star shapes in a bevy of executions, these pieces show off the play of metal and diamonds.
4. Baroque. There is a nod to the same time period; however, it is faint. Instead, this collection features a singular focus on metal with a curious absence of stones. Solid gold and platinum make amazing showpieces.
5. 1932. Leafs and feathers are at the heart of this collection. The designs complement one another and create a recognizable ensemble for the stylish wearer.
6. Ultra. Ceramic, diamonds and gold are but a few materials used in these pieces. These pieces are larger and show off the beauty of their interconnectivity when put together.
7. Bridal. This collection showcases some of the finest diamonds that Chanel jewelers have been able to find.
8. Jewelry Watches. Since time pieces have become accepted fashion accessories, it makes sense for the company to incorporate them into its lineup. Pieces feature camellia-inspired shapes and ornamentation.

Peter Suchy Jewelers is located at 1137 High Ridge Road in Stamford Connecticut and we specialize in estate and vintage jewelry so we invite you to stop by and visit our showroom. If you enjoy shopping for estate and vintage jewelry online, head on over to our eBay store.

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