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HomeBrandsTiffany & Co.Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff

Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff

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93 / 100

ProductScore

$8,900
Bracelets Jewelry design connoisseursMuseum-quality wearable art collectorsSignature statement bracelet

Materials: 18K yellow gold

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The Verdict

The Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff is one of the most significant pieces of jewelry design in the 20th century — a sculptural triumph in 18K gold that contours to the wrist with organic fluidity. At $8,900, it is a substantial investment, but the combination of artistic genius, museum-quality design, and Tiffany craftsmanship makes it a true collector's piece.

Score Breakdown

Quality 38/40
Value 30/35
Style 25/25

What Customers Say

Based on 2,340 mentions across social media and review platforms

Widely regarded as one of the greatest pieces of jewelry design ever created. Social media discussions are reverent, praising the organic sculptural form and the way it moves with the body. The Bone Cuff is frequently cited as proof that jewelry can be fine art. Price is discussed but rarely criticized given the artistic significance.

"The Bone Cuff is not jewelry — it's sculpture you wear. The way the gold flows around your wrist like it grew there is extraordinary. Elsa Peretti was a genius and this piece proves it. I feel like I'm wearing art from the Met."

Reddit r/jewelry

"Saved for two years for this piece and it exceeded my wildest expectations. The weight, the warmth of the gold, the way it catches and reflects light from every angle. This is the piece I'll pass down to my daughter."

Trustpilot

"Objectively a masterpiece of design but $8,900 is an enormous amount for a gold cuff with no gemstones. The gold weight is substantial but you're paying a significant premium for the Peretti design legacy and Tiffany markup."

Reddit r/FinancialAdvice

"The most beautiful bracelet I have ever seen in person. The organic shape is completely unique — nothing else looks like it. Comfortable despite its substantial size. Not for everyday wear unless you live a very careful life."

Google Reviews

"Wearing my Bone Cuff to the gallery opening tonight and it's literally the only piece of jewelry I need. It IS the outfit. Elsa Peretti understood that jewelry should be like a second skin."

Instagram comment

Pros & Cons

Strengths

  • + One of the most important jewelry designs of the 20th century
  • + Extraordinary organic sculptural form that contours naturally to the wrist
  • + Substantial 18K gold weight with exceptional craftsmanship
  • + Strong collector value — a genuine piece of wearable art
  • + Timeless design that transcends trends and eras

Trade-offs

  • Very high price point for a gold piece without gemstones
  • Bold, sculptural form limits versatility for conservative dressers
  • Requires careful wear — soft gold can dent or scratch
  • Substantial weight may feel heavy for extended daily wear

Specifications

Metal 18K yellow gold
Width 40mm at widest point
Weight Approximately 85 grams
Design Organic bone-inspired sculptural form
Closure Open cuff (no clasp)
Hallmarks Tiffany & Co., Peretti, 750
Size Options Small, Medium
Packaging Tiffany Blue Box with pouch and certificate

Alternatives to Consider

Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed the Bone Cuff?
Elsa Peretti designed the Bone Cuff in 1970. Peretti was a former model and actress who became one of the most influential jewelry designers of the 20th century. Her designs for Tiffany, including the Bone Cuff, Bean pendant, and Open Heart, are in the permanent collections of the British Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Is the Bone Cuff comfortable to wear?
Despite its substantial size and weight (approximately 85 grams), the Bone Cuff is designed to follow the wrist's natural contours. Most wearers find it comfortable for events and occasions, though the weight may feel noticeable over extended wear. The open cuff design allows for easy adjustment of fit.
Is the Bone Cuff a good investment?
The Bone Cuff has strong collector demand and retains value well. As an Elsa Peretti design classic — particularly one held in museum collections — it carries both material and artistic value. Vintage Peretti pieces have appreciated significantly, especially since the designer's passing in 2021 elevated appreciation for her life's work.

Full Review

A Sculpture for the Wrist

The Elsa Peretti Bone Cuff stands alongside the Cartier Love bracelet as one of the most significant bracelet designs ever created — though its approach to significance could not be more different. Where the Love is geometric and symbolic, the Bone Cuff is organic and visceral. Inspired by the fluid forms of the human skeleton, Peretti sculpted a cuff that seems to grow from the wrist itself, its surfaces flowing and undulating like a living thing rendered in gold. Held in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum, it is one of the few pieces of contemporary jewelry universally recognized as fine art.

The Peretti Design Philosophy

Elsa Peretti’s approach to jewelry was revolutionary — she treated metal not as a setting for stones but as a sculptural medium in its own right. The Bone Cuff embodies this philosophy completely. There are no gemstones, no engravings, no surface decoration of any kind. The design speaks entirely through form, proportion, and the inherent beauty of 18K gold. The result is a piece that feels both ancient and modern, as if it could have been excavated from a Roman archaeological site or displayed in a contemporary art gallery.

Material Presence

The Bone Cuff makes an immediate physical impression. At approximately 85 grams of 18K gold, it has substantial weight that grounds it on the wrist with authority. The gold surface is finished to a subtle satin that catches light softly rather than reflectively, emphasizing the sculptural contours. The open cuff design allows for slight adjustment of fit, and the tapered ends create an elegant opening that reveals a sliver of skin.

Legacy and Collectibility

Since Elsa Peretti’s passing in 2021, interest in her designs has intensified. The Bone Cuff, as perhaps her most celebrated creation, has seen increased collector demand. For those who view jewelry as a convergence of art, craft, and material value, the Bone Cuff represents an extraordinary opportunity to own a museum-quality work that you can wear to dinner.

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