Pre-Owned Cartier Love Bracelet: The Complete UK Buying Guide
Designed in New York in 1969, the Cartier Love bracelet is one of the most recognisable pieces of jewellery ever made. That screw motif is instantly familiar, and so is the price tag.
Is pre-owned worth it?
For most people, yes. A genuine pre-owned Love bracelet is the same solid 18ct gold piece for noticeably less than boutique price. The catch is that it's one of the most counterfeited pieces of jewellery in the world, so you need to know exactly what you're buying.
Why buy pre-owned
- Around £750 to £1,550 less than new
- Holds its value well if you ever sell
- Sizes and golds Cartier may not have in stock
What to watch for
- Convincing fakes
- Missing screws or screwdriver
- Heavy past polishing
We stock pre-owned Love bracelets in our Hatton Garden showroom, so this guide covers the questions buyers ask us most: which model to choose, what size you need, what you should pay, and how to make sure it's genuine.
Small, medium or classic: which Love bracelet?
The rigid Love bracelet now comes in three widths. The size numbers work the same across all of them, so a size 17 small has the same inner measurement as a size 17 classic.
| Small | Medium | Classic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 3.65mm | 4.8mm | 6.1mm |
| Look | Slim, great for stacking | A middle ground | The bold, original design |
| Closure | Hinged, with a single screw | Hinged | Two screws, opened with the Cartier screwdriver |
| Cartier sizes | 15 to 19 | 15 to 22 | 15 to 21 |
| Pre-owned availability | Good | Limited (newest model) | Best |
The classic is the iconic choice and the easiest to find pre-owned. The small is lighter, easier to wear every day and sits beautifully next to a watch or other bracelets. Love bracelets also come with diamonds, from four or six stones to fully paved, which cost significantly more, new and pre-owned.
How much is a Cartier Love bracelet in the UK?
New from Cartier vs pre-owned at Chloe's (18ct yellow gold)
Grey: new from Cartier's UK website. Gold: pre-owned in our showroom. Prices at the time of writing; Cartier changes its prices from time to time.
A few things affect pre-owned prices:
- Box and papers. A full set, with the original box, certificate and screwdriver, is worth more than the bracelet alone.
- Size. Popular sizes like 16 to 18 sell fastest. Less common sizes can sometimes be better value.
- Condition. Light wear is normal and can be polished, but deep dents or heavy past polishing lower the price.
- Diamonds. Diamond-set models carry a significant premium.
In our showroom now
ClassicYellow gold, size 16, with box£5,500View bracelet
ClassicYellow gold, size 17, with box£5,500View bracelet
ClassicWhite gold, size 18£5,500View bracelet
ClassicYellow gold, size 20, box and papers£5,775View bracelet
SmallYellow gold, size 17£3,800View bracelet
SmallRose gold, size 17, with pouch£3,800View bracelet
Classic, 6 diamondsWhite gold, size 19£9,000View bracelet
See the full, up-to-date range in our pre-owned Cartier Love collection.
Cartier Love bracelet size guide
Getting the size right matters more with a Love bracelet than with almost any other piece. It's a rigid oval, so it can't be adjusted afterwards.
- Wrap a soft tape measure, or a strip of paper, around your wrist just above the wrist bone.
- Note the measurement in centimetres.
- Follow Cartier's advice: add 1cm for a snug fit, or 2cm for a looser fit.
| Your wrist | Snug fit | Looser fit |
|---|---|---|
| 14cm | Size 15 | Size 16 |
| 15cm | Size 16 | Size 17 |
| 16cm | Size 17 | Size 18 |
| 17cm | Size 18 | Size 19 |
| 18cm | Size 19 | Size 20 |
Snug or loose?
A snug fit stays put and stacks neatly with other bracelets. A looser fit slides more and can catch on things, but some people find it more comfortable all day.
Between sizes?
Most people are happier going up, especially for the classic, which is designed to be worn day and night. The narrower small model can feel slightly roomier in the same size.
Try before you buy
Measuring is a good start, but nothing beats trying one on. Come into our showroom and we'll help you find your size.
How to tell if a Cartier Love bracelet is real
The Love bracelet is copied more than almost any other piece of jewellery, and the best fakes are convincing. No single check proves a bracelet is genuine, but together these will catch most problems.
- The price. Genuine Love bracelets hold their value, so the legitimate second-hand market doesn't sell them cheaply. A classic offered far below the going rate is a warning sign.
- The engravings. Inside, a genuine bracelet carries the Cartier signature, the gold purity mark (750 for 18ct), the size and a unique serial number. Everything should be crisp, deep and evenly spaced.
- The screws. They should sit flush and neatly aligned, and turn smoothly with the screwdriver. The screw style should match the bracelet's age, as Cartier updated the classic's screw system in 2011.
- The weight. These are solid 18ct gold. A classic typically weighs well over 30 grams. One that feels light could be hollow or plated.
- The paperwork. An original certificate and box support authenticity and add value, but they can be faked too.
- The serial number. Essential, but not proof on its own, because counterfeiters copy real numbers. Cartier can confirm whether a serial number matches a genuine piece.
The simplest protection is to buy from an established jeweller who handles Cartier regularly, stands behind every piece and offers a returns policy, rather than from an anonymous online listing.
What to check before you buy pre-owned
Condition
Fine scratches are normal and polish out easily. Avoid dents, deep gouges or a bracelet polished so often that the screw motifs look soft.
Screws and screwdriver
On a classic, check both screws are present and working, and ask whether the screwdriver is included. You need it to open the bracelet.
What comes with it
Listings should say whether it comes with box, certificate, pouch or nothing. Our listings note what's included, and we're happy to confirm anything that isn't clear.
Service history and returns
A recent Cartier service is a plus. And a reputable seller should let you return a piece if it isn't right.
Does a Cartier Love bracelet hold its value?
Better than almost any other modern jewellery. Demand for genuine, well-kept Love bracelets is consistently strong, so they resell for a healthy share of their retail price. That makes buying pre-owned doubly sensible: you pay less upfront, and if you ever sell, you're likely to get a good proportion back, especially if you keep the box, certificate and screwdriver. Thinking of selling one? See our Sell Your Jewellery service.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Cartier Love bracelet be resized?
No. It's a rigid oval, so it can't be made bigger or smaller. That's why it's worth getting the size right first time.
Can I wear it every day?
Yes. It's solid 18ct gold and many people never take it off. Like any gold, it picks up fine scratches over time. It's best to avoid chlorine and harsh cleaning chemicals.
Which is better, the small or the classic?
Neither, it's down to taste. The classic is bolder and more iconic. The small is lighter, easier to stack and costs less.
What is the screwdriver for?
The classic model closes with two screws, and the screwdriver opens and closes them. Keep it somewhere safe, as you'll need it to take the bracelet off.
Do you ship outside the UK?
Yes. We offer free UK delivery and tracked, insured shipping worldwide.
Are you connected to Cartier?
No. Chloe's Jewellers is an independent jeweller and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cartier. The pieces we sell are pre-owned.
Try one on in Hatton Garden
The best way to choose is to try the small and classic on your own wrist. Greville House, 35 Greville Street, Hatton Garden, Monday to Saturday, 10:30am to 5:30pm.
Book an appointmentShop Cartier Love braceletsFree UK delivery, a price match guarantee and flexible payment plans come as standard. Cartier and LOVE are trademarks of Cartier. Chloe's Jewellers is an independent retailer of pre-owned jewellery and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cartier.
