Love is a big part of my life, figuratively and literally. I chose to commemorate my first job with an act of self-love. As a small gesture of self-encouragement and reward, I bought the Cartier LOVE bangle as a gift for myself. Since then, it has accompanied me on life’s ups and downs – filled with memories of love. Have you ever wondered what jewellery means to you? Some people wear jewellery as an act of self-expression, while others for its symbolic social status. Whatever the reason, jewellery is a physical manifestation of what has taken place in our lives.

The LOVE bangle is a proud witness to many treasured moments: the deep scratch will forever remind me of an adventurous climb up Rhino Rock; the warm glow of holding hands with a loved one under a blanket of stars; and that memory of the time I broke my wrist learning how to snowboard and the medical staff almost had to saw off the bangle to put the plaster cast on. These fond memories will live on in my heart whenever I look at my LOVE bangle.

Of all the modern period jewellery, the LOVE bangle is the most enduring and visionary. This minimalistic oval shaped gold bangle revolutionised the way jewellery could be worn, even during its launch 50 years ago. Most modern period jewellery tried to take a break from the conventional styles of the past era. The LOVE bangle achieved that and beyond – it redefined how jewellery was meant to be worn, and gave a means of expressing personal style. With the semi “permanent” nature of the bangle, it is not changed according to outfits, whether blue jeans or ball gowns, as was defined by protocol; it looks just as stylish on the wrist at any occasion. Worn alone or stacked, by male or female, this iconic piece of jewellery becomes more chic and personal as time goes by.