Chanel Jewelry
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.
2010s European Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Chanel Jewelry
Early 2000s Chanel Jewelry
Pearl, Gold
1980s French Vintage Chanel Jewelry
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
Steel
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1980s French Vintage Chanel Jewelry
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Chanel Jewelry
2010s French Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
Pearl, Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
2010s Italian Chanel Jewelry
2010s Italian Chanel Jewelry
Crystal
2010s Chanel Jewelry
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary French Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
Silver
2010s French Chanel Jewelry
1980s French Vintage Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
Early 2000s French Chanel Jewelry
2010s Chanel Jewelry
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
Onyx, Diamond, White Gold, 18k Gold
2010s French Artisan Chanel Jewelry
2010s Italian Artisan Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
2010s European Chanel Jewelry
Gold
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
2010s Italian Aesthetic Movement Chanel Jewelry
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
Gilt Metal
1990s Chanel Jewelry
Aquamarine, Multi-gemstone
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Romantic Chanel Jewelry
Natural Pearl, 18k Gold
1970s French Vintage Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chanel Jewelry
2010s Chanel Jewelry
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
1980s French Vintage Chanel Jewelry
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary French Chanel Jewelry
Early 2000s French Chanel Jewelry
Base Metal
1950s Vintage Chanel Jewelry
2010s French Chanel Jewelry
2010s French Chanel Jewelry
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Chanel Jewelry
Amethyst, Tsavorite, White Gold
1970s French Vintage Chanel Jewelry
18k Gold, Rhodium
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
20th Century French Chanel Jewelry
Early 2000s French Chanel Jewelry
2010s French Chanel Jewelry
Pearl
1970s Vintage Chanel Jewelry
2010s French Contemporary Chanel Jewelry
Gold, Enamel
1990s French Chanel Jewelry
Chanel jewelry & watches for sale on 1stDibs
1stDibs offers a range of Chanel jewelry and watches. These unique items were designed with extraordinary care, often using gold. While searching for the most stylish antique or vintage Chanel jewelry to pair with your ensemble, you'll find that Chanel diamond jewelry & watches can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, from our inventory of 142. This collection includes 1,700 pieces, as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. Modern and Contemporary are some of the most popular styles of Chanel jewelry & watches available on 1stDibs. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th Century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewelry & watches by David Webb, Yves Saint Laurent and Robert Goossens. Prices for Chanel watches and jewelry can vary depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $172 and tops out at $205,000, while pieces like these can sell for $2,077 on average.
Shop Vintage Fine Jewelry and Estate Jewelry on 1stDibs
Our love for diamond rings, luxury watches and other antique and vintage fine jewelry and estate jewelry goes back thousands of years.
Jewelry has long been a symbol of spiritual strength, wealth or power and, of course, a means of personal expression. While materials and processes employed by the world’s most popular jewelry houses — Tiffany & Co., Cartier, BVLGARI and others — have evolved over time, humans still gravitate toward many of the same accessories that our ancestors wore.
Ancient Egyptians were often hard at work designing jewelry and adorning themselves with an array of necklaces, rings and other items, and nearly every Egyptian, rich or poor, was buried with some kind of jewelry. When King Tut’s burial chamber was excavated, it revealed a sense of style that inspired Art Deco jewelry designs.
Brooches and pins remain essentials in our jewelry boxes, although we no longer require them to fasten our garments, as was once their primary use. Rings, which have always been signifiers of eternity, still serve as romantic gifts and tokens of affection. Antique, new and vintage engagement rings, even if it can be difficult to choose the right one, are still widely recognized as symbols of love and commitment. [Fun fact: It wasn’t until the 14th century that we learned how to effectively cut diamonds, a critical step in revealing the stone’s brilliance.]
Hoop earrings are imbued with symbolism and cultural significance for many, and on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Ancient Near Eastern Art Gallery is a pair of simple gold hoops from Mesopotamia dating to between 2600 and 2500 B.C. We’ve even created our own new, sacred symbols — the Cartier Love bracelet, for example, with its distinctive locking mechanism, is an understated and modernist symbol of love’s promise (with its own captivating history to boot). And, crafted by French jeweler Jacques Arpels of Van Cleef & Arpels, the Magic Alhambra necklace channels luck for the wearer with its universally adored design, which is informed by four-leaf clovers, a plant synonymous with good fortune.
Whether it’s our sentimental charm jewelry, costume jewelry, chunky retro bracelets or minimalist earrings created by the likes of contemporary designers WHITE/SPACE and Agmes, luxurious jewels can elevate any outfit, regardless of your personal style.
Find a wide-ranging collection of authentic antique, new and vintage jewelry today on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Chanel
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the bag's material, a vintage Chanel can be quite expensive. For instance, a vintage crocodile top handle bag costs around $130,000. The classic quilted leather bag is around $10,000.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The latest prices for the Chanel wallet on chain is $3,100. There are many variations of this classic design, with some selling for closer to $2,100.
- Is Chanel a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, Chanel is one of the most desirable luxury brands in the world. This top-class designer brand creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the best-known talent in the fashion world. Find many Chanel accessories and apparel on 1stDibs.
- How much is a Chanel tote?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Chanel tote's price can vary on the second depending on size, model, condition, and age. New Chanel small clutches start at around $1,900 while totes and other purses fetch $4,000-$5,000.
- Do Chanel bags come with tags?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022All Chanel bags are guaranteed to be authentic, as they come with a unique tag and authentication card.This is an easy way for you to determine the authenticity of your bag. Shop a large selection of vintage or modern Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
- Does Chanel make men’s belts?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No, Chanel doesn’t make men’s belts and they do not have a menswear line. That said, there are men who do wear Chanel belts and other items from the women’s line to create their own noteworthy style. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Chanel garments and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
- Are Chanel pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although some Chanel jewelry contains real freshwater pearls, much of their costume jewelry is made from coated glass, though they are still high quality.
- Does Chanel have men’s clothes?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel doesn't usually make men's clothing. The brand has never offered a full menswear line. However, Chanel does have partnerships with designers that occasionally yield items for men such as suits or neckties.
- Are Chanel earrings real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021All of Chanel's fine jewelry is made with 18K Gold (both yellow and white) and platinum and all of the diamonds used have very high clarity and color with a perfect set, resulting in some of the highest quality jewelry.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To remove creases from Chanel can be done with care, of course. Use a clean cloth and dry cleaning solution but stay away from any chemicals on the bag as they can damage it permanently. On 1stDibs, find vintage and modern Chanel pieces.
- How to make Chanel jacket trim?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can make Chanel jacket trims feathery, flat or embellished ribbons and stitched on wool bindings are worth all the effort with a seamstress. You'll find a vast collection of authentic Chanel twill jackets from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.
- What is Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Chanel is a luxury French fashion house founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910. Focused on women’s ready-to-wear clothing and haute couture, Chanel is most famous for the 1921 perfume Chanel No. 5, the 1925 Chanel Suit and the iconic 1926 little black dress, which remains a staple in women’s closets around the world to this day. Shop a collection of vintage and designer Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What is Chanel Matelasse?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel Matelasse is a quilted Chanel bag. It's an emblem of the Chanel brand. Chanel Matelasse bags and other Chanel bags can be found on 1stDibs.
- What does Chanel 5 smell like?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel No. 5 smells like a subtle mix of florals, including rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily of the valley and iris, sandalwood, and a hint of vanilla. Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular scents in the world.
- How do I store Chanel Boy bags?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel recommends storing your boy bags by wrapping the chains or straps in tissue paper and storing them upright in the original pouch. Other sources suggest stuffing the bag with acid-free tissue paper to support its shape and make sure the chain or strap is well-padded so it doesn’t imprint the bag. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022You can buy a Chanel Mini Flap bag directly from Chanel’s website or one of Chanel’s boutiques. Additionally, you may find a Chanel Mini Flap bag in one of Chanel’s retail partners’ stores. Shop a collection of authentic Chanel Mini Flap bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Who is Coco Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Chanel in France in 1883, was a fashion designer who got her nickname during her short-lived career as a cabaret singer. In 1910, she opened a boutique in Paris to sell her hats, which were beloved by the popular French actresses of the era. Her success with hats led her to open the first Chanel Couture House five years later, where she designed and sold women’s sportswear made of jersey — which until then was used to make men’s underwear. Her revolutionary style catapulted her to fame, and in the decades that followed, Coco Chanel remained on the cutting edge of fashion, creating modern, timeless clothing, perfumes and accessories — and, of course, her iconic bags, which are revered to this day. Shop a collection of Chanel from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- Who owns the Chanel brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022The Chanel brand is owned by brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer. The Wertheimer brothers, whose grandfather acquired Chanel with his brother in 1924, are very private, known as the fashion industry’s “quietest billionaires.” The brand’s founder, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, saw the purchase by French brothers Pierre and Paul Wertheimer as an opportunity to reach more customers, but she tried unsuccessfully to regain control of the house in 1941. Shop our Chanel collection of vintage and new bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The classic ballerina flats by Chanel are a must-have for every shoe lover. The chic design and versatility make them perfect to wear with any outfit, whether jeans or dresses. Shop a selection of Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.