Fashion legend Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s sole fine jewelry collection included some of the most exciting and original works ever made — she loved costume jewelry but simply couldn’t resist designing with diamonds. Today, whether or not a given design happens to bear the house’s iconic logo, vintage Chanel bracelets, pendant necklaces, earrings and other accessories lend a bold touch to any ensemble.
Chanel established her business as a Paris hat shop in 1910 and started selling clothing in 1913. She introduced her costume jewelry in the 1920s, when the economy was roaring and fine jewelry was the main mode of adornment among her clients. Fearless about giving offense, Chanel proclaimed, “I love fakes because I find such jewelry provocative, and I find it disgraceful to walk around with millions of dollars around your neck, just because you are rich.”
Then, in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, Chanel dramatically switched gears and designed her first and only diamond jewelry collection, Bijoux de Diamants.
The lyrical and bold Chanel designs centered on five motifs: fringe, ribbons, feathers, the sun and stars. A dramatic diamond fringe headpiece was worn over the brow, while a fringe bracelet draped down the palm. A ribbon was tied in a bow at the front of a necklace and the top of a headband. These textile motifs linked the collection to the couturier’s clothes.
Even as rave reviews flowed in from the members of the press who attended the collection’s single showing, the International Diamond Corporation caved to the demands of the men in the French jewelry industry who forcefully expressed their firm belief that a fashion designer, and a female one at that, didn’t have the talent to make important jewels. At the same time, they were worried that Chanel’s diamond necklaces, brooches, bracelets and other creations would compete with their collections and cut into their profits. The pieces were broken up after the exhibition, and a planned London showing was canceled.
Afterward, Chanel never designed another diamond jewelry collection. Instead, she focused on costume and the demi-fine pieces she made in collaboration with Fulco di Verdura, when he worked at Chanel during the 1930s.
In 1993, the House of Chanel revived its fine jewelry business. Over the years, it has made near-exact renditions of the 1932 designs and imagined new silhouettes incorporating the original five motifs, as well as other themes beloved by Chanel, such as the lion, representing her Leo zodiac sign, and camellia flowers.
Find a range of vintage Chanel earrings, watches and other jewelry on 1stDibs.
Chanel bracelet fall 2002
By Chanel
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Chanel bracelet with Gripoix dark red and black melted glass ornement in the middle. Chanel steel Chain . Chanel logo on one stone. Chanel stamp on the back 2002 Made in France.
Steel
Chanel New Gold Tone CC Logo Rhinestones Dangle Faux Pearl Bracelet C21K, 2021
By Chanel
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Chanel Reference: OT1692 Measurement of Bracelet: Total Length is 16cm + Adjustable length of 3.5cm Material: Gilt Metal Year: 2021 Made in France Please Note: the jewelries ...
Gold, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
CHANEL Logo Chain Brown Leather Cuff Bracelet Spring 2003
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
tour du poignet 18 cm hauteur 5 cm CHANEL Logo Chain Brown Leather Cuff Bracelet Spring 2003 Measurements: Height: 2.56 inches (5 cm) Circumference: 6.50 inches to 8.27 inches (18 c...
Vintage CHANEL CC Logo Ribbed Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL CC Logo Ribbed Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.97 inches (5 cm) Inner Circumference: 6.10 inches (15.5 cm) opening included Opening: ...
2007 CHANEL "L'Elegance C'est La Ligne" Gold Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
2007 CHANEL "L'Elegance C'est La Ligne" Gold Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.10 inches (2.8 cm) Inside Circumference: 7.67 inches (19.5 cm) opening inc...
Vintage CHANEL Classic Gold Chain and Leather Bangle Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Classic Gold Chain and Leather Bangle Bracelet Measurements: Height: 0.90 inch (2.3 cm) Inside Circumference: 6.81 inches (17.3...
Vintage CHANEL Sun Lion Head Medallion Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Sun Lion Head Medallion Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.38 inches (3.5 cm) Wearable Length: 7.08 inches to 8.66 inches (18 cm to 22 cm) adj...
CHANEL Rigid Silver Bracelet With Fabric Flowers
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Couture, this CHANEL jewel is just magnificent. It is a bracelet from CHANEL fashion shows, in silver metal, rhinestones, CC and colored flowers in fabric and plastic. The interior is in glitter resin. Fragile jewel at the fabric flowers...
Vintage 1995 CHANEL ID Plate Leather Chain Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1995 CHANEL ID Plate Leather Chain Bracelet Measurements: Height: 0.59 inch (1.5 cm) Wearable Length: 7.67 inches (19.5 cm) Features: - 100% ...
CHANEL Rigid Cuff Bracelet in Silver Metal set with rhinestones and Flowers
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Chanel rigid silver metal bracelet set with rhinestones and flowers in fabrics. The interior is a glittered resin. It comes from runway shows, no lozenge of the brand. Dimensions: ...
Other, Base Metal
Chanel Tweed Bangle
By Chanel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Chanel TWEED BANGLE ITEM CONDITION Good MANUFACTURER Chanel AGE 2009 GENDER Women's ACCOMPANIED BY Chanel box BRACELET WIDTH 25mm BRACELET LENGTH ...
Chanel Gold Tone Gold Plated 31 Rue Cambon Paris Pendants Bracelet, 1994
By Chanel
Located in Central & Western District, HK
Brand: Chanel Reference: JW242 Length of Bracelet: 17.5cm Material: Gilt Metal Year: 1980’s Made in France Please Note: the jewelries are guarantee 100% authentic pre-owned therefor...
Gold, Gold Plate, Gilt Metal
CHANEL Collector Flower Bracelet In Gold Metal And Fabric
By Chanel
Located in Paris, FR
Superb rigid gold-colored metal bracelet set with purple and pink fabric flowers and yellow and pink plastic inserts. The CHANEL flower bracelet...
Gilt Metal
Chanel Bracelet in Dark Silver Metal, 2011
By Chanel
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Chanel - (Made in Italy) Bracelet in dark silver metal paved with fancy pearly cabochons and resin cabochons. Fall-Winter 2011 collection. Additional information: Dimensions: Lengt...
Vintage CHANEL by VICTOIRE de CASTELLANE Twisted Rope Bangle Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL by VICTOIRE de CASTELLANE Twisted Rope Bangle Bracelet Measurements: Thickness: 0.59 inch (1.5 cm) Inner Circumference: 7.48 inc...
Vintage 2001 COCO CHANEL Double Buckle Brown Leather Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 2001 COCO CHANEL Double Buckle Brown Leather Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 2.55 inches (6.5 cm) Inside Circumference: 6.30 inches until 8.0...
Vintage CHANEL Sports Line Navy Blue Terry Cloth Wristband
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Sports Line Navy Blue Terry Cloth Wristband Measurements: Height: 1.57 inches (4 cm) Inner Circumference: 5 inches (13 cm) without stretching Features: - 100% Authen...
Vintage 2001 CHANEL Logo Camellia Orange Violet Rubber Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 2001 CHANEL Logo Camellia Orange Violet Rubber Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 0.86 inch (2.2 cm) Circumference: 7.28 inches (18.5 cm) Featu...
Vintage 2001 CHANEL Logo Camellia Pink Orange Rubber Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 2001 CHANEL Logo Camellia Pink Orange Rubber Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 0.90 inch (2.3 cm) Circumference: 6.50 inches (16.5 cm) Feature...
Vintage 1997 CHANEL Gripoix CC Logo Bracelet Cuff
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1997 CHANEL Gripoix CC Logo Bracelet Cuff Measurements: Height: 1.30 inches (3.3 cm) Total Circumference: 6.89 inches (17.5 cm) includes opening ...
Vintage 1995 CHANEL Double Leather Chain Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1995 CHANEL Double Leather Chain Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.22 inches (3.1 cm) Wearable Length: 7.48 inches (19 cm) Features: - 100% ...
Vintage CHANEL 2002 Black and White CC Logo Perspex Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL 2002 Black and White CC Logo Perspex Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 0.86 inch (2.2 cm) Maximum Circumference: 6.18 inches (15.7 cm) including the opening Featur...
2001 CHANEL CC Logo Perspex Wide Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
2001 CHANEL CC Logo Perspex Wide Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 2.16 inches (5.5 cm) Circumference: 5.71 inches (14.5 cm) including normal opening Ope...
2010 CHANEL Logo Gripoix Resin Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
2010 CHANEL Logo Gripoix Resin Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 2.16 inches (5.5 cm) Circumference: 6.88 inches (17.5 cm) Features: - 100% Aut...
Vintage CHANEL Coco Double Buckle Black Leather Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Coco Black Leather Buckle Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 2.56 inches (6.5 cm) Circumference: 6.50 inches to 8.27 inches (16.5 cm to 21 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic CHANEL. - Wide black leather with engraved COCO on the leather. - Double buckle fastener with engraved CHANEL. - Gold tone hardware. - Signed Chanel 01...
CHANEL Blue Agate Stone Bangle Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
CHANEL Blue Agate Stone Bangle Bracelet Measurements: Thickness: 0.39 inch (1 cm) Circumference: 7.68 inches (19.5 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic CHANE...
Vintage CHANEL CC Logo Hammered Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL CC Logo Hammered Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 2.16 inch (5.5 cm) Circumference: 6.49 inches (16.5 cm) Opening:1.18 inches...
Vintage 1993 CHANEL Leather Chain CC Medallion Cufflinks Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1993 CHANEL Leather Chain CC Medallion Cufflinks Bracelet Measurements: Length: 12.20 inches (31 cm) Medallions: 0.78 inch (2 cm) Feature...
Vintage CHANEL Logo Medallion Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Logo Medallion Bracelet Measurements: Medallions: 1.33 inches (3.4 cm) Wearable Length: 9.64 inches (24.5 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic CHANEL. - 4 Iconic Chanel emblem...
Vintage CHANEL Mesh Pop Colour Glass Paste Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Mesh Pop Colour Glass Paste Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Height: 1.14 inches (2.9 cm) Inner Circumference: 7.87 inches (20 cm) Feat...
Vintage CHANEL Iconic Lion Head Logo Quilted Bracelet Cuff
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage CHANEL Iconic Lion Head Logo Quilted Bracelet Cuff Measurements: Lion Medallions: 1 3/8 inches X 1 3/8 inches Wearable Length: 7 inches to 8 4/8 inches This Vintage CHANEL Lion Head Medallion Bracelet is RARE and a collector item. Chanel was born under the sign of LEO (19 Aug 1883) and wore lion jewelries as lucky charm. Later on, the LION sign became one of her iconic symbols. This is a collectors' piece and hard to find compare to the 2 Lion head belts...
CHANEL Gold Silver Leather Chain Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Features: - 100% Authentic CHANEL. - Massive chain cuff bracelet with woven gold and silver leather. - Rigid wide cuff. - Gold tone. - Signed with CHANEL 2 CC 6 Made in France. - Wil...
Gold Plate
Vintage 1996 CHANEL Gilt Flower CC Logo Rhinestone Cuff Bracelet
By Chanel
Located in Kingersheim, Alsace
Vintage 1996 CHANEL Gilt Flower CC Logo Rhinestone Cuff Bracelet Measurements: Flower: 1.96 inches (5 cm) Circumference: 7.20 inches (18.3 cm) Features: - 100% Authentic CHANEL. - ...
1991 Collection 26 Chanel Rigid Chain Cuff
By Chanel
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Excellent condition, with the original box, this Chanel rigid double chain cuff from the 1991 Collection 26 is a classic and iconic Chanel piece from the heyday of the Karl Lagerfeld...
Gold Plate
1989 Chanel Interlocking Double Chain Cuff Bracelet Col.26
By Chanel
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Original edition Collection 26 Chanel iconic interlocking double chain cuff bracelet in excellent condition. Gilt metal. No signs of surface wear or scratching. Original box. Rare . ...
Gilt Metal