Author: TrueFacet

TrueFacet is an online marketplace for pre-owned fine jewelry and watches. Every item sold is verified by our in-house team of gemologists and watch experts to ensure its authenticity.

The Ultimate Holiday Wish List 2017

Some people wish for sparkling snow during the holidays, but we’re wishing for a different kind of sparkle this holiday season. We’ve pulled together the most opulent pieces on TrueFacet Marketplace: these luxury watches and jewelry pieces are handcrafted by the best-known designers in the industry. Read on for our holiday wish list!

Jewelry

1. Cartier Diamond Platinum Earrings, $82,000

Nail the regal look this season with these classy dangling earrings that Marie Antoinette herself would be proud of. These Cartier creations evoke the Rococo art style with its graceful curved lines and vertical asymmetry. The earrings feature well over 100 diamonds set into platinum stamped with the Cartier logo.

2. Harry Winston Platinum Diamond Cluster Brooch, $95,000

Wow the crowd at your next gala with this diamond brooch from Harry Winston. The elegant cluster design and the brilliant platinum-set diamonds evoke the imagery of delicate snowflakes, glistening as they fall from the sky. The stones are an assortment of excellent quality brilliant, marquise, and pear cut diamonds, weighing 16.6 carats in total.

3. Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold and Platinum Schlumberger Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Flower Ring, $102,523

This pink tourmaline and diamond ring from Tiffany’s is full of life and intricate detail. The subtle flower designs made by marquise diamonds set into platinum adds a dose of femininity to the yellow gold band and basket. The center stone is pink tourmaline, which in this case is especially rare due to its size.

4. Van Cleef & Arpels 40 ct. Diamond Bracelet, $145,000

This gorgeous Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet will easily take you from a charity brunch at noon to an evening at a holiday soirée. With 40 carats worth of diamonds embedded into 18 karat yellow gold, this bracelet will draw eyes from every corner of every room.

5. 15 ct. Radiant Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring, $1,197,995

What’s more appropriate for the winter season than this huge chunk of “ice”? This beautiful 15 carat diamond engagement ring is set into a platinum band that will never tarnish and is flanked by two special long-cut caddy trap diamonds that up the total caratage of this piece by 1.55 carats. The center stone is nearly colorless and comes in at a G on the color scale and has slight inclusions. (For more about what these terms mean, consult our diamond evaluation guide here!)

 

 

Watches

1. Rolex Daytona 116506 Perpetual 40mm Cosmograph Platinum Baguette Watch, $71,925

The Rolex brand is a veritable institution at this point, even moreso because of its most coveted model, the Daytona. We chose this particular iteration of the Daytona because it was released during Baselworld in commemoration of the Daytona’s 50th anniversary. The ice blue dial and chocolate bezel are incredibly distinct and complement the baguette diamond markers very well. Aside from its aesthetic appeal, the Ref. 116506 is also furnished with a chronograph that is accurate to within an eighth of a second and is housed in pure platinum.

2. A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Perpetual Platinum Watch, $111,295

This rare A. Lange & Sohne is one of about 70 pieces and is incredibly distinct in its own right. Outfitted with an instantaneous flyback chronograph and a single-pusher perpetual calendar, this timepiece is inundated with technical sophistication. Despite its many complications, this watch still looks sleek and refined.

3. Vacheron Constantin 30130/000r-9754 Malte Tourbillon 18K Rose Gold Tonneau 38mm X 43mm Watch, $146,995

Vacheron Constantin is one of the most prestigious watch brands on the market, and their Malte Tourbillon speaks strongly to their old-world aesthetic. The tonneau-shaped case evokes watch styles from the 1950s, and the manual-winding movement recalls the tactile traditions of horology. The delicate movement is housed within a stunning 18K rose gold case.

4. Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronometer With Escapement Automatic Platinum, $224,950

This sleek Audemars Piguet model is outfitted with a hand-wound chronometer with an Audemars Piguet escapement that makes it incredibly reliable. The 90-hour power reserve assures that this high-performing timepiece stays wound for longer, while the glare-proof sapphire crystal and platinum case protects its state-of-the-art movement in style.

5. Patek Philippe Sky Moon Celestial Watch, $247,368

What is a wish list without a Patek? The renowned Swiss watchmaker outdid itself with this Sky Moon Celestial Watch. This model may not be the most legible or fastest timepiece in Patek Philippe’s collection, but its celestial design and unique complications set it apart from the others. Made with several layers of sapphire crystal, the dial is decorated with an accurate depiction of the night sky as it is visible from Geneva, a printed compass, a moon phase indicator, and a unique date complication. All of this is housed within a solid platinum case and bezel.

The 3 Watch Styles Every Woman Needs

As you build out your watch collection, make sure you have these three essential watch style categories covered so that you always have the perfect watch to suit every occasion.

The Day-in-Day Out Watch


Start your watch wardrobe off with a solid “go-to” watch. Select a style that can slip in easily with what’s already hanging in your closet and round out any outfit. Look for a clean and classic style with a metal bracelet, preferably made of durable stainless steel.

As a rule of thumb, we recommend turning to your jewelry collection or handbag’s hardware to see if you gravitate more towards gold or silver and match your watch accordingly. If it’s an even split, cover both bases with a two-tone watch.

And, because this watch will be on regular rotation and inevitably scratched or dinged as you go about your day, keep your budget fairly low. There are lots of watches by Michele, Michael Kors and Gucci that look far more expensive than their ticket price.

The 9-to-5 Watch

The next watch you need is a work-friendly watch that means business. Watches are a smart-looking accessory that punctuate your office attire with professional polish.

Opt for a classic, metal style with a modestly sized dial. Skip anything too trendy, flashy or over-sized.

Also, double-check that your watch fits properly. (For more on how your watch should fit, visit our post here.) It can be distracting to have your watch slide up and down your wrist, jangling about as you give a presentation or type at your computer. Have your watch’s bracelet links added or removed so that your watch doesn’t slide more than an inch up or down your wrist.

The After-Hours Watch

The third watch to add to your collection should be a fancier watch that you can wear for formal occasions—and we’re not talking about a super luxe watches for the rare black tie event and the opera. Rather, this timepiece should essentially be a piece of jewelry that you break out for date night, your friend’s wedding, your birthday party, holiday cocktail hours and any other night out on the town.

Splurge a little extra on a timepiece with an ornamental flourish like a diamond bezel, mother-or-pearl dial or hour markers with precious stones. Then wear it as you would any statement cuff or bracelet and let it be a focal point of your outfit.

Still need more watch recommendations? Read our post “5 Best Rolex Watches for Women” for the perfect model to match your style.

How to Wrap a Jewelry Box Better than Tiffany’s

Whether it’s a square bracelet box or a wide necklace box, here are our simple step-by-step instructions to expertly wrap up your jewelry or watch box with a ribbon, just like Tiffany & Co.!

1. To begin, find the longest side of your box. Using that side as your guide, drape the end of the ribbon over the side, across that longest side, and down the opposite side of your box. Measure five lengths of ribbon.

2. Take about a length and a half of ribbon (about 10 inches, depending on the size of your box) and drape it over the top of the box.

3. Wrap the long end of the ribbon around the box, placing the longer end atop the shorter length.

4. Place your finger over the middle of the box and ribbon to hold it in place. Then fold the long end down towards you.

5. Keeping your finger or thumb of the center of the ribbon to keep it in place, wrap the long end of the ribbon around the box vertically. Bring that length over the top of all of the ribbon.

6. Take the longer end tuck it under all the layers of ribbon by slipping it under the bottom right-hand side and bringing it up through the left-hand side. Pull both ends to tighten and straighten the ribbon as needed.

7. Now, to tie your bow, wrap the bottom right ribbon around your thumb to create a loop.

8. Then bring the right ribbon around the top, winding it counter clockwise around the loop.

9. To create the second loop of your bow, pull the right ribbon through the loop and the base of your left loop.

11. Pull the loops to tighten your bow.

12. Trim the ends of your ribbon. And voila! A picture-perfect ribbon!

For ideas on what to write in your holiday card, read our post here!

What is Her Dream Holiday Gift? [QUIZ]

Tally up your answers to these simple questions and match them up to the gift of your partner’s dreams!

1. What does she have for lunch every day?
A. Some kind of salad: it’s easy to prepare, easy to eat, and is easily customizable.
B. She has something new and different every day. Today, it’s a sushirrito. Tomorrow, it’s a Green Goddess bowl.
C. Clean eating is a passion of hers, so she’ll have a smoothie bowl or vegan sushi.
D. All avocado toast, all the time.
E. Pizza, cookies, and mac and cheese: all of Kurt Cobain’s favorite foods.

2. How would she spend a sunny Sunday afternoon?
A. Cleaning up around the house a bit so she has time to have a nice dinner out before the workweek starts.
B. Brunching hard and then flitting around town to meet up with all her other fabulous friends
C. Keeping it lowkey with a walk around the park with her dog and a quiet lunch at a cute bistro
D. Having a picnic, reading a novel outside, and whiling away her time under the sun.
E. Thumbing through vinyls at her favorite record shop

3. What kind of movies does she like to watch?
A. Film classics: she’s seen The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, and Psycho a million times.
B. Acclaimed indie films: she’s a veteran of the Tribeca Film Festival and is always the first to have seen a relatively-unknown Oscar nom.
C. Rom-coms: she likes the feel-good, mushy stuff
D. Disney movies: she loves the nostalgic feeling they give her, plus the music is always fun to sing along to.
E. Horror films: she loves the adrenaline rush that she gets after a good jump-scare

4. How does she feel about rain?
A. It’s not a problem at all: she can easily adapt to the gloomy weather to get work done.
B. She would rather die than have to go out in this nasty weather.
C. She loves the rain, but only when she can stay home and cuddle up with a book in bed.
D. Bring it on! Rain is fun to play in, anyway.
E. Who cares? It provides the perfect opportunity to find something cool to do indoors.

5. Which New York City neighborhood would she live in?
A. Midtown West, Manhattan: she loves the subtle Art Deco influences in the architecture of the buildings here, plus having almost every subway line so close to home and living near work is super convenient.
B. Chelsea, Manhattan: she loves her beautiful apartment in this high-fashion, high-excitement neighborhood
C. Boerum Hill, Brooklyn: she loves the comfortable, low-key vibe of this tight-knit neighborhood and the cute mom-and-pop shops scattered throughout it.
D. Lower East Side, Manhattan: she fits in perfectly with her super-creative neighbors and loves the eccentric bar and restaurant scene.
E. Williamsburg, Brooklyn: its fast-growing vintage scene, low-key food spots, and its bourgeoning bar scene fit her vibe perfectly.

6. Choose her go-to drink.
A. Gin martini: why mess with tradition?
B. Whatever artisanal cocktail the bartender can make
C. Water or cranberry juice: she doesn’t really drink alcohol
D. Piña colada: she loves the sweet fruitiness of it, plus it’s such a fun drink!
E. Jack and coke: delicious, available everywhere, and a classic rock concert drink

Answers

Mostly As: Classic

When your wardrobe is as versatile as the Classic woman’s is, dressing for any occasion is a piece of cake. You can take her anywhere and she will be dressed impeccably for it. Her selection is crisp and conservative: the pieces she chooses are timeless and elegant, and they never go out of style—think little black dresses, clean white button-ups, and finely-tailored trousers. You love her vintage sensibilities and the fact that her favorite ensemble would definitely not be out of place in Audrey Hepburn’s collection. For this woman, we’d recommend a piece from Tiffany & Co. The classic Return to Tiffany chain bracelet would make a great addition to her collection.

 

Mostly Bs: Glamorous
Every trend you’ve ever heard of was born at the hands of the Glamorous woman. When this tastemaker walks down the street, it’s not just her magnetic personality that makes heads turn: her outfits catch the eye with their extravagant details. She’s the ultimate trend-setter and her ability to always stay ahead of the curve blows you away. This woman’s closet is a wonderland of furs, asymmetrical cuts, and haute couture pieces, and to complement it, we suggest the classic Cartier Love Bracelet. This piece is simple and structural, but it also adds a touch of romance to her out-of-the-box wardrobe.

 

Mostly Cs: Sporty
The Sporty woman’s comfy-casual sense of style matches her fitness-and-clean-eating-oriented lifestyle to a tee. This woman lives in “athleisure” clothing and makes it work for any occasion, whether she’s going out for a morning run with you or going to brunch with her friends. Her wardrobe is full of leggings (perhaps of the Lululemon variety), cool-looking sneakers, and light, layer-friendly basics that go well under any kind of jacket—track or otherwise. She dresses up her ensembles with statement necklaces and elegant bracelets here and there, so pick up an equally significant timepiece to round out her collection. We recommend the Rolex Ladies’ Datejust to add the right amount of refinement to her wardrobe.

 

Mostly Ds: Bohemian
The Bohemian woman’s style borrows heavily from the flower power sensibilities of the 1970s: her wardrobe is full of colorful patterns and loose, flowy shirts and dresses. Her vibrant ensembles may be similar to the colorful, hippie-inspired attire worn at music festivals, but she pulls the everyday look off beautifully. You love how this woman’s love for color and whimsy is reflected in her bright personality, and the jewelry she wears should complement that. We recommend a David Yurman Cable bracelet for this flowerchild, but not just any Cable bracelet. Pick up the 10 mm Cable Renaissance bracelet; this heavy piece is outfitted with impressive-looking gemstones like peridot and citrine, whose colorful brilliance will spice up her vibrant collection.

 
 

Mostly Es: Rock ’n’ Roll
This woman is rock and roll, personified. Her bold, devil-may-care personality pairs well with her dark, edgy wardrobe. She’s not afraid to dye her hair crazy colors or add to her body art, so she likes pieces that speak for themselves and won’t clash with her hot pink hair or new tattoo, like boxy moto jackets or heavy-duty combat boots. Every day with her is an adventure, and you can show her how much you love that with the Bulgari B.Zero1 ring: its simple geometric design would look great with her heavy, structural ensembles.

10 Unique Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands for the Modern Bride

We rounded up 10 of favorite contemporary engagement rings and wedding bands with unique settings and colorful stones, perfect for the modern bride and groom.

Dancing in the Rain Gold 18KT Ring by Nanis, $840
Moonstone is an increasingly popular choice for contemporary engagement rings.
This ring by NANIS beautifully showcases the impressive center moonstone and, framed by complementary pave diamonds, creates a wonderfully romantic look.

 

Ipanema Gold 18K Ring by NANIS, $735
Non-traditional engagement rings do not get much more unique than this NANIS ring. A beautifully faceted piece of rutilated quartz sits in an elegant solitaire setting, capped with pavé diamonds.

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18K Rose Gold Hematite Yola Ring by Misahara, $7,500
This impressively-sized ring by Misahara features a cabochon hematite stone. This dark-colored gemstone has a gorgeous metallic sheen that gives it a mystic, cosmic aura.

18K Gold Wonderland Sapphire Flower Ring by Mimi So, $7,600
Mimi So’s whimsical setting is the ideal engagement ring for the bride-to-be who doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

Mosaic Collection 18K White Gold Diamonds Ring by ZYDO, $7,300
The elegant lines of this ZYDO ring make for a distinctly modern diamond engagement ring.

Open Scalloped Diamond Band by Dana Rebecca Designs, $1,485
We love how this ring by Dana Rebecca Designs is a nod to the traditional diamond wedding band but with an edgy twist: its unique scallop motif and open band design.

18K Gold Phoenix Feather Center Pave Diamond Ring by Mimi So, $4,300
Mimi So’s feather-shaped band evokes the romantic sentiment of a wedding band without looking like your typical band.

Thick Cutout Diamond Bar Band by Dana Rebecca Designs, $1,980
This wide geometric band by Dana Rebecca Designs is a smart option for brides who, instead of stacking their engagement and wedding bands, want to wear a ring on each hand.

18K Gold Wonderland Stackable Diamond Eternity Twig Ring by Mimi So, $2,600
In step with thin wedding bands that can sit below your engagement ring, Mimi So’s collection of delicate rings were designed to stack—but with a fresh take. In Mimi So fashion, this delicate and organic-shaped ring has a wooded texture to give it more dimension.

18K Rose Gold Black/Green Diamonds Unity Pure Ring by Misahara, $2,900
Opt for Misahara’s cool twist on the traditional diamond wedding band with rows of green and black diamonds.

15 New Watches for the Modern Collector

From low-key smartwatches to minimalist styles to refashioned Rolexes, we pick our fifteen favorite watch styles for modern collectors looking for something radically new.

Frederique Constant’s Smart Looking Smart Technology
The Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch looks like a classic wristwatch and includes cutting-edge smartwatch technology. Pair this handsome watch with your phone to track your daily steps, calories burned and total distance. Enjoy the perks of a modern smartwatch without compromising your style.

Les Artisans de Genève’s Reimagined Classics
Independent watchmaker Les Artisans de Genève puts a unique stamp on time-honored Rolex models with custom dials, refashioned bezels and updated bracelets. These artfully reimagined models are a cool conversation piece for any collector and Rolex fans will revel in testing their Rolex knowledge, spotting the subtle updates to these reimagined Submariners and Daytonas.

HYT’s Ancient Cutting-Edge Technology
HYT’s watches are veritable engineering marvels and will mesmerize new and veteran watch collectors. Loosely based upon the ancient water clock (or clepysdra), one of the earliest recorded timekeeping methods, HYT’s wristwatches use a proprietary mechanical movement that compresses a bellow and pushes a tinted liquid through a glass capillary to indicate the time. HYT’s novel approach to indicating time is like a progress bar for the hours passed in a day, perfectly suited for today’s tech-minded society.

Traser’s Watches for Adventure-Seekers
If you’re a collector who likes to wear your watches day-in, day-out, check out Traser’s collection of incredibly durable watches. Traser is the brand-of-choice emergency and rescue teams, police forces, and adventurous hikers and outdoor thrill-seekers who rely on Traser’s break-through illumination technology. Traser’s Trigalight technology allows the watch dial to remain illuminated without the aid of batteries or an external light source. These robust watches are best suited for modern watch collectors and wearers who need a watch that can keep up with them.

Modern Minimalist Styles
Contemporary tastes are gravitating towards sleeker and minimalist watch styles: classic dials, thin bezels and leather bands. Thanks to their premier craftsmanship, these beautifully pared down styles are built to last and perfectly on-trend without being too trendy.

15 Minimalist Jewelry Designs to Shop Now

Layer, stack, mix and match these minimalist jewelry styles and unique statement pieces to suit your inimitable style.

Rings to Stack

Dana Rebecca Designs’s minimalist and layer-friendly designs are perfect mixing and matching to cultivate your own unique look.

Updated Classic Earrings

A cooler spin on the classic hoop earring, this pair by Misahara is handset with diamonds and the delicate texture gives them a softer, more organic feel. Meanwhile, Nanis employs a centuries-old goldsmith technique to give its jewelry a matte finish. This finishing touch elevates these simple stud earrings into a veritable work of art.

Necklaces to Layer

Mimi So puts her signature whimsical stamp on pendant necklaces that make for playfully romantic additions to enjoy every day.

Statement-Making Bracelets to Wear Solo

The sleek Love Always bracelet by Phillips House boasts a modern design and its expertly crafted elliptical shape makes it an incredibly comfortable statement piece.

The Expression’s pencil motif makes for a cool conversation piece that can be easily incorporated into any ensemble.

The 7 Steps to Building Your Perfect Jewelry Collection

We’ve all read through (and perhaps shopped from) those checklists outlining the “wardrobe workhorses” you need in your closet: a white button up, black slacks, a crisp trench coat. While it is important to have those clothing basics covered, we cannot ignore the importance of adding jewelry to your outfit. Your jewelry choices add those doses of sparkle and polish that tie a look all together and signal that you put thought into your ensemble.

We break down, step-by-step, the pieces you should add to your wardrobe and jewelry collection, in order.

1. Stud Earrings 

This small addition to your jewelry collection will have a big impact on your outfit, adding a smart finishing touch that requires no real effort or thought.

Look for a pair that suits your personal style and affixes closely to the ear. We suggest shying away from long or chandelier earrings as your first or go-to pair; these sweeping styles can feel too dramatic for everyday wear.

 

2. An Everyday Watch 

Like the extra shine of earrings, a classic watch makes your outfit feel polished and pulled together—again, with minimal effort. We recommend a clean design with a metal bracelet which is a reliable everyday timepiece that feels professional in the office and not too stuffy for off-duty days.

To help you decide whether you should invest in a white or yellow gold, defer to your favorite handbag’s hardware. If your work tote has gold hardware, opt for a gold watch. If your satchel is covered in silver-brushed studs, go for silver. Really hard-pressed to pick? Go for a two-tone watch and problem solved. Steer clear of styles that have too-colorful dials that may compete with your outfit.

Regardless of which style you pick, ensure that it fits your wrist size correctly. For more on that, check out our handy guide to find the right case size for you.


3. A Delicate Pendant Necklace

Up next on your jewelry checklist: a pendant necklace with sentimental meaning. It is important to pepper your jewelry collection with pieces of personal significance so the collection remains uniquely yours.

Ideally, you want an unobtrusive chain necklace that you can put on and never have to take off. Consider a pendant with your birthstone, a loved one’s initials, or a small charm that recalls a warm memory.


4. A Statement Bracelet or Cuff

As your day-to-day collection comes together, it’s time to add in a few bold pieces to keep things interesting, starting with a statement bracelet or cuff.

We recommend sleek and architectural pieces that add dimension to your evening outfits or punch up your weekend t-shirt-and-jeans. Or, if you love stacking your bracelets, try a handful of bracelets and cuffs that pair well together and have different textures like a charm bracelet, a smooth enamel cuff and a thin chain bracelet.


5. Stack-Friendly Rings


To further personalize your jewelry wardrobe, add in a handful of mix-and-match rings. Look for rings with varying thickness that you can stack up or wear individually. Keep your collection interesting with rings in different metal types, colorful gemstones or pavé stones. The goal here is to have a healthy variety of styles that can throw together to complement (and not overwhelm) the other pieces of jewelry you’re wearing.


6. A Statement Necklace


Like your bold cuff or bracelet, you need a necklace that can spice up a crisp button up or silk blouse. Unlike your dainty pendant necklace which quietly supports an ensemble and style, this necklace should be the focal point of your outfit. You want a stand-out necklace that works with multiple outfits but not one you wear every day. Try a sleek lariat, a chunky chain collar or a long wrap-around necklace with stations.

 


7. Statement Evening Earrings


Now that your daytime jewelry collection is covered, you’re ready to branch out into evening styles. We recommend starting with chandelier or long earrings as they offer you the style flexibility to work with a variety of necklines and dress styles.

Once you have these core styles covered, do not feel beholden to them forever. Your style will inevitably evolve as your preferences chance. Take regular inventory of what you’re wearing—and what’s collecting dust—and start editing, updating and refreshing your collection accordingly. The joy of a jewelry collection is getting to actually wear it, so make sure your pieces are always a reflection of your unique style.