Italian jewelry designer Aldo Cipullo, famous for creating Cartier's Juste Un Clou and Love bracelets.
Images courtesy of Cartier and 1stDibs.
Once upon a time, in the 1970s, an Italian designer took a humble nail and turned it into the now legendary Cartier Juste un Clou bracelet. He nailed it, quite literally.
Who knew a nail could be so…iconic?
Image courtesy of Rebag.
Cipullo did excel in transforming just a nail into so much more.
As the name suggests, Juste un Clou ("Just a nail" in English) begins with an ordinary nail, hardly the first thing you'd think of as jewelry material. It’s a concept so simple it's genius, and only Aldo Cipullo (1935 – 1984), a renowned jewelry designer from Naples, Italy, could materialize it so brilliantly.
Since its debut in 1971 in New York, the Juste un Clou bracelet, originally known as the nail bracelet, has become an emblem of French opulence and luxury. Deservedly so, Cipullo was clearly onto something when he created this marvel—the clean, pure lines transform a humble nail into a precious jewelry piece, with the entire design concept revealed in one elegant stroke.
A minimalist marvel in every sense
Image courtesy of Cartier.
Starting from modest beginnings and rising to cult masterpiece status, the Juste Un Clou has drastically upended the rules of the luxury jewelry industry. If there's one lesson to take from it, it's that beauty and inspiration often hide in the most unexpected corners—in this case, a humble nail.
The Juste Un Clou bracelet embraces minimalism to its core, proving that sometimes less is indeed more. Cipullo's avant-garde creation throws traditional jewelry rules out the window, inviting us to find beauty in the most ordinary things in life.
The design ingeniously blends the functional inspiration of the Dada art movement with the audacious spirit of 1970s New York. Its unapologetic minimalist and gender-neutral charm earned a prestigious spot in Cartier's luxurious lineup.
The iconic nail is available in various gold finishes and even diamond-embellished versions, ensuring there's always a nail for everyone. And for those who can't get enough, the design goes beyond the original nail bracelet to include rings, necklaces, and earrings, each embodying the same understated elegance.
The rebel's nail
Image courtesy of Cartier.
Cipullo's nail shatters the norms of its era and embodies the spirit of its wearers: original, independent, bold, and free. The Juste Un Clou, initially targeted at the young, modern audience, did just that—and then some.
The twisted bracelet quickly became a cult favorite, particularly appealing to rule-breakers and those guided by their hearts. Cipullo nailed it with a masterpiece that became a hallmark of Cartier’s innovative spirit, all while staying true to its storied heritage since its founding in Paris in 1847.
Essentially, the nail invites wearers to take bold risks and stretch their boundaries just like Cipullo did in the 70s, aware that often, success hinges on taking just the right risks.
The man who reinvented luxury jewelry
Aldo Cipullo’s famous Love bracelet.
Image courtesy of 1stDibs.
Cartier’s Juste un Clou is synonymous with its legendary designer, Aldo Cipullo. His bold, modern aesthetic defined New York's jewelry scene in the 1960s and 70s, leaving behind a legacy beyond his famous nail.
Aldo Cipullo was born in Naples, Italy, in 1935 but spent much of his early life in Rome before emigrating to New York in 1959. With experience at renowned houses like Tiffany & Co. and David Webb, Cipullo's remarkable talent landed him at Cartier in 1969.
Right from the start, Cipullo made waves with the creation of the Love bracelet. The piece was a remarkable success, becoming one of the best-selling jewelry items in Cartier’s history. Its unique oval shape ensures it fits tightly around the wrist, secured by screws that two people must fasten (honestly, could Cipullo get any more romantic?).
Unsurprisingly, the iconic bangle was a favorite among celebrities like Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and Ali McGraw and Steve McQueen, all of whom fell in love with its profound symbolism.
Shop Cartier’s classic nail and more
Top model Kendall Jenner wearing an 18k gold Juste un Clou bracelet, Meghan Markle wearing a rose gold choker at the 2022 Invictus Games Opening Ceremony, and actress Angelina Jolie wearing 18k yellow gold Juste un Clou earrings.
Images courtesy of Rebag and Town & Country Magazine.
Whether it’s the elegantly twisted nails of the Juste un Clou collection or the romantic designs of the Love collection, Cipullo’s creations have become prized possessions among jewelry collectors. And why wouldn’t they? These pieces became synonymous with French luxury, class, and status due to their exceptional craftsmanship and (let’s be honest) steep price tags.
But times have changed since the 70s, and the luxury of owning Cipullo’s legendary designs—made from the finest gold and adorned with precious diamonds—is now conveniently accessible via the second-hand (or pre-loved) jewelry market, sparing you the relatively heavy investment once required.
Suppose you're just beginning to explore the vast market of second-hand luxury jewelry, which reported a massive revenue of approximately $860.66 million in 2023. In that case, ZenLuxe is a great place to start indulging in Cartier’s classics at surprisingly affordable prices.
This exclusive luxury platform offers all the iconic jewelry you've had on your wishlist but haven't yet invested in. You can now shop for your favorite pieces from Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Dior, Bvlgari, and many more, all swiftly delivered to your doorstep.
Witness firsthand the astonishingly pristine condition of these 'second-hand' luxury pieces, crafted from the world’s top-quality materials to guarantee they never lose a hint of their original splendor!
About the writer
Meet Mariam - a fashion writer with a geek-level enthusiasm for all things vogue and glamor. For her, the most therapeutic aspect of fashion goes beyond simply shopping for the latest styles that appear in stores—it’s fully experiencing this glamorous world from the little details to the big moments (because who doesn’t enjoy flipping through a glossy fashion magazine?).
