Messika My First Diamond

Messika jewelry is a contemporary French luxury house, founded in 2005 in Paris by Valérie Messika, daughter of diamond merchant André Messika. It creates timeless and fashionable works of art that sit perfectly on the wearer as naturally as a tattoo moves on the skin. Valérie Messika’s modern perspective on diamonds is that they should be celebrated daily, not reserved for special occasions, and give confidence to the women and men who wear them. 

From a young age, she was influenced by her father’s work. He would bring pieces home for her to play with and explain to her what made each piece of jewelry special and unique. He taught her how to see into the heart of a diamond, and as her dream of running her own design house grew, encouraged her to remain true to her vision and the legacy of the Messika name. Messika jewelry is very much a family-run business, employing several family members as well as a largely female staff. The confidentially located atelier where the pieces evolve from concept to completion is a bright and modern space that evokes the powerful feminine energy Valérie Messika has infused into the work. 

Messika jewelry seeks to step into the unknown, breaking from traditional haute couture ideals while honoring the roots of the industry and creating a fresh and female-forward path for new industry leaders. While it is a young design house, it has still captured the attention of the celebrity spotlight. American actress Mila Kunis wore Messika designs to the 94th Academy Awards. Venus Williams, Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé have also chosen Messika jewelry for red-carpet events. Supermodel Kate Moss partnered with Messika to create the collaborative collection High Jewelry, which is flamboyant with lines that complement the feminine body, inspired by natural elements, fine jewelry, Art Deco, and bohemian style. 

On 1stDibs, find a selection of Messika bracelets, rings, necklaces and more.

Today, antique and vintage bracelets are versatile and universally loved accessories that can add polish and pizzazz to any ensemble.

Bracelets were among the jewels discovered to have been buried with Pharaoh Tutankhamun when his tomb was unearthed in 1922, and wrist and arm bracelets were allegedly worn by Queen Puabi in Sumer, southern Mesopotamia. But preceding the adornments of Ancient Egypt and elsewhere, the people of prehistoric times likely wore the decorative accessory, fashioning it from shells and fish bones. When the Bronze Age allowed for more durable materials and semiprecious stones to be incorporated into jewelry, bracelets became a treasured symbol of wealth.

In the thousands of years following the debut of the world’s first bracelets, the artistry behind this common accessory has only broadened, with designers at popular jewelry houses growing more venturesome over time. David Webb looked to nature for his Animal Kingdom bracelets, and for her best-selling bracelets and more at Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti would frequently do the same. From bangles to tennis bracelets, the modern age offers plenty of options.

Internationally acclaimed bracelet designs have on occasion become powerful symbols of status, style and, in the case of Cartier's iconic design, love. The Cartier Love bracelet can be found on the wish list of most jewelry lovers and on the wrist of some of the world’s biggest stars. Its arrangement of mock screwheads and distinctive functionality — it was initially locked and unlocked with an accompanying vermeil screwdriver — is an enduring expression of loyalty, unity and romance. (Do you know how to spot a fake Cartier Love bracelet?)

While the Love bracelet has played a role in the skyrocketing popularity of cuff-style bracelets, they are far from the only glamorous option for collectors. Make a statement with an Art Deco design, a style that sees all kinds of iterations fitted with studded cuffs, one-of-a-kind shapes and dazzling insets. A chunky vintage gold bracelet in the Retro style will prove eye-catching and elevate any outfit.

One of the best things about bracelets, however, is that you never have to choose just one. Style icon Jacqueline Kennedy stacked her Croisillon bracelets — designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. — with such frequency that the ornate bangles were eventually dubbed “Jackie bracelets” by reporters. Contemporary silver pieces can easily complement each other, rendering a layering of luxury almost a necessity.

Find a diverse collection of bracelets that you can sort by style, stone cut and more on 1stDibs.