One of the stars of Chanel’s newly unveiled high-jewelry collection, ‘Les Talismans de Chanel’, is the ‘Solaire’ bracelet, an exquisite hammered-gold cuff strewn with sparkling diamonds in a sun-inspired pattern. Based upon designs treasured by Gabrielle Chanel, these “talismans”, or lucky charms, are imbued with iconic charm and mystery. The ‘Solaire’ bracelet stands apart, resembling a valuable archaeological find more than a delicate piece of jewelry. Its sturdy form and immense beauty seem to harken from the distant past, and in the hands of Chanel’s skilled artisans it becomes a 21st-century heirloom piece, one that will never look tired or out of place in a contemporary wardrobe.
Click through the gallery to discover the different stages that go into the making of the ‘Solaire’ bracelet in Chanel’s jewelry workshop.
Photos: Courtesy of Chanel
The chasing technique utilizes the plasticity of metal, forming shapes by degrees. There is no loss of metal in the process, as it is stretched locally and the surface remains continuous. It brings a unique hammered quality to the ‘Solaire’ set.
