What is High Jewelry?

With its origins in Europe, high jewelry, or haute joaillerie, has become synonymous with exquisite, expensive, hand-crafted jewelry from a leading designer or jewelry house. High jewelry is usually unique, statement jewelry crafted from the highest quality gems and metals.

High jewelry comes at a high price tag, making it a lucrative investment that will hold its value or grow in value depending on the piece. And because of its value, it can also come with its own security team (and an Ocean’s movie).

What is the Difference between Fine Jewelry and High Jewelry?

Fine jewelry is made from precious metals such as silver, gold, rhodium, palladium, and platinum. Fine jewelry is also made with real diamonds and gemstones, making them very durable and expensive.

Because it is complicated to make, fine jewelry is usually small and delicate. To be considered fine jewelry, designers must certify and stamp their jewelry, indicating the purity of the metal.

High jewelry is a leap above fine jewelry. It requires a high level of skill and difficulty to craft pieces that include the highest-quality metals and stones. Where fine jewelry is expensive, high jewelry is elite.

Most luxury designers and jewelers have both fine and high jewelry lines. But high jewelry is often part of exclusive collections, showcasing rare stones and sophisticated, intricate designs. These collections are generally not on display for the public, but you may catch a glimpse of them on the red carpet or at The Met Gala.

How Much Does High Jewelry Cost?

Where fine jewelry is about $2,000 to 10,000 and the largest jewelry market, high jewelry can fetch a price tag of $50,000 to several million, depending on its precious stones, artisanal techniques, and uniqueness.

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Related Link: The History of Hoop Earrings

Why Do People Buy High Jewelry?

High jewelry is often considered an investment similar to art because of its artistry and one-of-a-kind nature. Those investing in high jewelry are part of the global 1%. They buy high jewelry for:

Prestige: If you’re wearing it, status is a given.
Style: To follow the latest celebrity and trends, many buy to have their style stand out from the crowd.
Confidence: Powerful pieces convey confidence and draw attention to them.
Celebration: Many of the global 1% buy high jewelry to celebrate a special occasion, accomplishment, or social event.

Source: https://www.si.edu/spotlight/hope-diamond

Is High Jewelry a Good Investment?

High jewelry sales have increased by 30% over the last four years as a younger, more affluent, fashion-minded generation wants to wear high jewelry as a unique expression of their individuality. Yes, it certainly is a posh way to show individuality, but is high jewelry a good investment?

Yes. It will always be a good investment because high jewelry is made from precious metals and stones. These materials hold value on their own, regardless of trends or economic factors. So while it does demand a high price tag, you can always resell it for about the same price or even higher, depending on the uniqueness of the piece.

What Jewelry Keeps Its Value?

High jewelry tends to keep its value because these one-of-a-kind pieces are made from the finest metals, gems, and stones. For high-end clients, these pieces are a statement of opulence, power, and prestige. Many of these high jewelry pieces become collector’s items, making them a good investment or legacy wealth for children and grandchildren.

While most of the High Jewelry houses will always maintain a high level of value, these brands, in particular, have higher resale value:

Van Cleef & Arpels
Louis Vuitton
Hermes
Chanel

That said, any French brand has proven to hold their value for resale. For people who love to treat themselves, high jewelry is a twofer: a unique statement piece and an investment.

Does Jewelry Appreciate in Value?

There isn’t a clear answer to this because it is dependent on several factors. The high jewelry piece may appreciate or it may lose its value depending on the:

Style: What may be in fashion now, may not be in the future.
Quality: The better the materials, the better the resell value because the metal and gems hold value on their own.
Originality: The more unique the piece is, the better the experience because it becomes an outward expression of the owner.
Brand or House: A brand can increase the value depending on the prestige of the house when you sell.
Scarcity: The fewer the number of pieces made, the more rare they become and also increase the value. Basic supply and demand economics.
Length of Ownership: If you just bought the piece and want to flip it for more, this may be challenging to ask for an increased value. Generally with jewelry, they appreciate over the long term. But not long term like a couple of years, you need to think decades.

Is Tiffany & Co considered to be High Jewelry?

Yes. Tiffany & Co. has a long history as a respected jeweler. Far beyond the classic movie, Tiffany’s has maintained its reputation as a fine jewelry store since the 1800s. While they sell a wide variety of jewelry, they do have an exclusive line of high jewelry in their Blue Book.

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What is the Most Expensive High Jewelry Piece?

The Hope Diamond is the most expensive high jewelry piece in existence. Once owned by Louis XIV and Harry Winston, the Hope Diamond is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

With a 45.52-carat blue diamond at its center, this necklace has a value of hundreds of millions. And because of its cultural and historical significance, the rare diamond’s true value is priceless.

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Where to Find High Jewelry

If you’re in the market and want to acquire some high jewelry, the best place to go is the Place Vendome in Paris, France. This French square is home to many distinguished jewelers and luxury designers that offer high jewelry in their shops. Some of these renowned luxury brands include:

Cartier
Chopard
Buccellati
Tiffany & Co
Bvlgari
Breguet
Van Cleef & Arpels
Patek Philippe
Jaeger-LeCoultre

What are the Most Expensive High Jewelry Brands?

There is a lot of debate and opinion about who the most expensive high jewelry brands are. We’ll list ten that make it on to most lists and let you decide which is the most:

Graff: Founded by Laurence Graff, The House of Graff is known for rare jewels with the highest clarity and color.
Mouawad: A jewelry house from the 1890s, Mouawad has stores all over the world and is known for its detail and craftsmanship.
Mikimoto: Another jewelry house founded in the 1890s, Mikimoto was the first to create cultured pearls and is known now for its fusion of Japanese and European styles.
Asprey London: Established in 1781, this British jeweler has styled royals and global elite for centuries.
Annoushka: A modern British brand, Annoushka has climbed the high jewelry chart because of its contemporary designs and celebrity clients.
Harry Winston: Known for impeccable taste and high-quality diamonds and gems, Harry Winston donated The Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian. Harry Winston is a sought-after brand for red carpet appearances.
Cartier: Established in 1847, Cartier is a French brand known for its art deco elements and one-of-a-kind ornaments. Cartier is a sought-after brand at auction.
Van Cleef Arpels: A French jewelry house from the 1890s, Van Cleef Arpels combines rare precious stones with innovative gem-setting techniques.
Buccellati: An Italian luxury brand, Buccellati’s has a signature style of Roman gold ornaments.
Tiffany & Co: An American jeweler, Tiffany & Co is known for its timeless designs for diamond jewelry, watches, and sterling silver.

Make a Real Statement in High Jewelry

High jewelry has its niche in the world of fashion and style. Its sought-after gems adorned the elites and celebrities from around the world. But these aren’t pieces you pick up on the Internet. You’ll need a personal invitation or private viewing to gain access to this exclusive world of rare and exquisite jewelry.

LaCkore Couture offers trendy, artisan jewelry to enhance your personality and style. LaCkore’s sophisticated statement pieces and timeless signature necklaces go with every look.

Looking for a statement piece that will wow your next look? Check out LaCkore’s best selling artisan jewelry.

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