To some, the wrist is a place to adorn jewellery—not be inspired by it. But for vanguard jewellery designer Elsa Peretti, this humble joint was more than a site for her creations to rest. In 1970, this idea propelled her to make one of her most celebrated pieces, the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff.

Sculptural by design, the Bone Cuff features gentle curves that bend to the body’s shape, wrapping around the arm and even protruding at the pea-sized part of the wrist that plunges out. (In medical terms, this is called the pisiform.)

Now, over 50 years later, the Bone Cuff has cemented itself as one of the most enduring and impactful designs of the 20th century, with everyone from Margot Robbie and Jasmine Tookes to Samantha Jones and even Wonder Woman wearing the New York maison’s revered motif.

But how did a piece inspired by a childhood visit to an Italian tomb translate into a hallmark of discerning taste and end up in the hands of stylish people around the world? Tracing its legacy from its inception to its synonymity with Manhattan—the Bone Cuff has graced many a Met Gala and Studio 54 dance floor—and bona fide cult status, join me as I uncover the history and heritage of the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff ahead.

Shop the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff:

What Is the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff?

The Tiffany & Co Bone Cuff is a bracelet moulded out of metal. It was designed to follow the natural contours of the body, imbuing the piece with a sort of carnal sensuality courtesy of its innate curves and sleek undulation. The initial concept was a gilded bangle that hugged the forearm, which gave your look a sort of militant stature, considering how dominating the piece was. At the time, Peretti intended for the wearer to decorate both wrists with the Bone Cuff, styling them as a pair.

These days, there are a lot of iterations of the Bone Cuff. In 2024, Tiffany & Co. introduced new shapes to the lineup to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Elsa Perretti's relationship working with the brand. These special anniversary designs included rare versions set with pavé diamonds.

There are three key styles of the Bone Cuff, which are small, medium and large sizes, respectively. The small is 43 millimetres wide and asymmetrically shaped, while the medium version is 61 millimetres wide and features a more distinct ridge along with that distinct hump. The large is more recognisable, offered at a 95-millimetre width and a split that runs through the middle.

To Chelsea Fairless, the Los Angeles-based tastemaker, author and co-host of the legendary fashion and pop-cultural commentary podcast Every Outfit, the Bone Cuff is more than a piece of jewellery, but rather a “classic design object, like an Eames chair. It’s utterly timeless, yet so synonymous with the glamour of the ‘70s, Halston and Studio 54 and all that".

How Did Elsa Perretti Design the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff?

As the story goes, Peretti drew inspiration from a rather macabre source: A Capuchin crypt in Rome she visited as a child. The memory of coming close to the skeletal remains of thousands of deceased monks and friars was haunting, yes, but as Peretti herself quipped in one of her more famous quips, “things that are forbidden remain with you forever”.

Elsa Peretti lensed working at her desk, captured in 1976.

Antoni Gaudí, the Catalan architect who designed some of Barcelona’s most significant examples of the Art Nouveau movement, like the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, is also quoted as a reference source. Not only do these two elements reflect Peretti’s interest in transforming the mundane, but represent who she was as an artist herself. For the uninitiated, Peretti was born in Florence before she moved to Spain and ultimately to New York, where she lived and worked as a model before turning her hand to jewellery.

It’s this transient essence that defines the Bone Cuff as its ease of wear is what drew the bohemian and free-spired starlets of the day to the piece. It’s also what Fairless first identified with the piece.

“My formative bone cuff memories are all tied to Liza Minnelli, who I idolised as a child,” she says. “Apart from Elsa herself, Liza is most synonymous with the Bone Cuff. She wore them at Studio 54. She wore them in many of her most iconic portraits. She wore them on the cover of Interview a few months ago. To me, Liza is the ultimate style icon, and the cuffs are integral to her look.”

Liza Minnelli photographed in 1972, the year she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for "Cabaret".

On the design, Minelli herself once told Vanity Fair: “Elsa brought out all these things—the Bone [bracelet] I remember best. Everything was so sensual, so sexy. I just loved it. It was different from anything I’d ever seen, and I’d seen a lot. I’ve only really worn Peretti jewellery from then on”.

Why Is the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff So Iconic?

The Bone Cuff garnered a wide and warm reception upon its release, springing up on the arms of Grace Jones and Sophia Loren. It was entirely different to anything on the market, curiously shaped, unassuming yet captivating and, integrally, made out of silver which was a rather disregarded material of the time. (It was also entirely made by hand from solid pieces of sterling silver when it first entered the market.)

Like many iconic jewellery pieces, its enduring appeal can be chalked up to its timeless design. It doesn't bend to the style du jour or distinctly align itself with niche aesthetics or micro trends, surviving the shift in what’s popular in fashion for half a century.

“Peretti was able to create an extraordinary universe of groundbreaking designs that changed the course of Tiffany’s history and continues to resonate to this day,” Tiffany & Co.’s President and CEO, Anthony Ledru, said in a statement in 2024. More specifically, it’s not a super obvious design, meaning that its convertibility lies with a more exclusive set of people who know its history—and, therefore, its impact.

In 2016, Margot Robbie helped reintroduce the design to a new generation of luxury shoppers when she wore it to the 2016 Met Gala. Of course, those with a keen eye would’ve seen it crop up in both Sex And the City films on the arms of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Samantha Jones (Kim Cattrall). As Fairless points out about these co-signs, “Even fictional It girls love a Bone Cuff!”

Margot Robbie leaves The Mark Hotel for the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" Met Gala on May 2, 2016, in New York City wearing Tiffany & Co's Bone Cuff.

More recently, you’ll find the Bone Cuff worn by discerning minimalists like Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, though it’s increasingly becoming more of a cult item among younger shoppers. In the last 30 days alone, searches for the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff have increased by 110%. But will this make it the next cult item?

With endorsements from celebrities and the fact the Bone Cuff has been permanently enshrined in popular culture, has its mainstream visibility impacted its appeal? “Celebrities wear it because it’s a classic and versatile piece, not because it’s particularly trendy,” Fairless argues. “I have yet to see them really catch on with celebrities or the masses in the way that the Cartier Love Bracelet has, for example. I hope they never become that popular!

How Much Is the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff?

The Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff varies in price, depending on the size and metal used. Prices begin at £700 for a black finish over copper and increase to £58,500 for the most expensive design featuring pavé diamonds.

How To Wear the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff

As the Tiffany & Co Bone Cuff is proudly fluid, the piece can be worn in numerous ways, be it with a bohemian ruffle dress or body-conscious shape and, like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, styles below, arch jeans, polka-dot shoes and a fine-knitted top.

Shop the Tiffany & Co. Bone Cuff

Three-hundred and sixty days after we last watched in awe as fashion's biggest names graced the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the Met Gala, the carpet has been rolled out once again for this year's main event. This year's soirée is all about nature, with the official theme of Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion drawing many to conclude that the evening will see a bevy of floral-printed and -embroidered gowns, sparkling sequin numbers meant to mimic the look of rushing water, and butterfly motifs. Then again, with tonight's looks having been kept under strict lock and key, there's no way to know for sure what fashions will grace the steps of the Met until the first attendees arrive.

Fortunately, the wait is over, with one of Anna Wintour's co-chairs Jennifer Lopez having just reached the entrance to the tents in a custom Schiaparelli haute couture gown, designed by Daniel Roseberry. To successfully follow this year's dress code, The Garden of Time, Lopez, Roseberry, and Lopez's longtime stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn appear to have referenced intertwining vines, using hand-embroidered beads and silver foil bugles (over 2.5 million of them, according to a press release) as well as completely sheer, mesh fabric to bring them to life. The strapless silver dress took over 800 hours to complete, the release continued.

To accompany the sparkling number, Lopez layered on diamonds from Tiffany & Co., including a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and a Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany Bird on a Rock ring (casual).

Scroll down to see J.Lo's jaw-dropping look from every angle.

On Jennifer Lopez: Custom Schiaparelli haute couture gown; Tiffany & Co. jewellery; Andrea Wazen shoes

Zoë Kravitz's style is hard to pin down. Sometimes she goes for elegant gowns, while other times she'll wear a risqué crystal-embellished naked dress. For her most recent red carpet appearance, she was the picture of minimalist chic in a simple The Row strapless tube dress and pointy-toe pumps. 

Last night, Kravitz attended a dinner in Los Angeles celebrating the new Tiffany Lock collection. Her sleek dress-and-shoe pairing provided the perfect blank canvas to show off her spectacular jewellery—she was attending a Tiffany & Co. event, after all. Her special necklace in gold, platinum, and diamond was pulled from the brand's archives from between 1890 and 1915. How impressive is that? Scroll down to see Zoë Kravitz's newest red carpet outfit, and shop pieces to re-create it. 

On Zoë Kravitz: The Row dress; Tiffany & Co. Archives Necklace in gold, platinum and diamonds; Tiffany diamond stud earrings; Tiffany Embrace band ring in platinum with diamonds

Shop Strapless Tube Dresses + Pointy-Toe Pumps

Next Up: Hailey Bieber Swears By This £14 Moisturiser

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear US. 

At Who What Wear, our ultimate goal is to help you shop smarter—whether it's identifying the items you can get away with buying on a budget or the premium pieces that, although they come with higher price tags, we consider to be worth the investment. Fine jewellery always makes for a wise investment, particularly when it comes from one of the world's most iconic luxury jewellers. 

Founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young in 1837, Tiffany & Co. has become a bijoux institution whose popularity has seldom wavered. Why? The jeweller has been one of the most adaptable in the luxury market. 

It has called upon talented designers to help create and nurture its unique aesthetic while being unafraid to reflect different social and cultural trends—in its own Tiffany & Co. way, of course. Although the cult Return to Tiffany Heart Tag is one of the brand's most identifiable pieces, there's another sleek piece of Tiffany jewellery that's even more popular in fashion circles. The Tiffany T bangle. 

What Is a Tiffany T Bangle? 

Having debuted in 2014, the Tiffany T collection was created by Francesca Amfitheatrof and served as her first collection as a design director for Tiffany & Co. Inspired by the women of New York and the bustling city itself, simplicity was integral to Amfitheatrof's vision. "I wanted to create a symbol for modern life and the relentless energy that flows through New York and drives art and culture around the world. This is just the beginning of what I want to accomplish," Amfitheatrof said at the time of the Tiffany T collection's launch. This "symbol of modern life" has been proven to have enduring appeal amongst style types. 

What Does the Tiffany T Bangle Look Like? 

The design features minimalist lines, hidden mechanisms, and the distinctive, bold shape of the letter "T" cleverly and subtly representing the Tiffany & Co. branding. The Tiffany T collection boasts everything from necklaces to rings, but the Tiffany T bangle is, without a doubt, the most in-demand piece. 

The uncomplicated aesthetic of the Tiffany T bangle makes it a hit with pared-back style enthusiasts, while the unmistakable "T" emblem serves as a status symbol for those who live for labels. This broad appeal has cemented the bangle as a timeless classic and has made it a piece that every jewellery aficionado wants to own.

Is the Tiffany T Bangle Worth the Investment? 

Today, the Tiffany T bangle comes in rose, yellow, white gold, and sterling silver and in various thicknesses. Some of the pieces in the collection are also adorned with pavé-set diamonds. So whether you're looking to layer or would rather focus on one statement piece, there's a Tiffany T bangle to suit you. The big question is, is it worth it? Even if you have a luxury budget (or no budget at all!), a T bangle is a purchase that needs to be made with consideration. The most "affordable" designs come in at just under £2,000 with those encrusted with diamonds ringing in in the tens of thousands (the highest on site currently sitting at £35,500). Having kept an eye on the market, I can tell you that the Tiffany T bangle only continues to increase in cost (some exclusive styles at up £5K since last year), and the resale demand remains incredibly buoyant. So, if you're looking to make a luxury jewellery purchase, this could be a sound one. 

Keep scrolling to shop the current Tiffany T bangle collection. 

SHOP THE TIFFANY T BANGLE 

Next Up: Every Fashion Editor Aspires to Own Jewellery by These Designer Brands

As summer quickly approaches, it’s easy to focus on updating your wardrobe, but your accessories? That’s a different story. A lot of people may overlook updating their sunglasses and jewellery even though the pieces are key to bringing a look together. Don’t believe it? Look to Liz Cherkasova of Late Afternoon for inspiration. Liz planned a quick getaway to Catalina Island and knew she wanted to embody Old Hollywood charm. And to channel this laid-back, glamorous vibe, she partnered with Tiffany & Co., whose iconic jewellery and timeless sunglasses brought her look to life.

Scroll down for Liz’s three tips for elevating your look with Tiffany & Co. 

"I wanted to channel an old-school Hollywood starlet running away for a quick island holiday,” says Liz.

"Nothing says Old Hollywood more than a pair of perfectly tinted Audrey Hepburn–inspired shades,” explains Liz. "Tiffany’s iconic jewellery and timeless sunglasses are what gave my look that Old Hollywood touch.”

"I styled the accessories with simple silhouettes in whites and blues to mirror the endless ocean that envelopes Catalina Island,” says Liz.

It's not every day your significant other gets down on one knee and proposes to spend the rest of your lives together. That's why the symbol to represent the occasion, the engagement ring, is of utmost importance.

Sure, it's your love for each other that matters most, but there's a reason we wear the jewel: to show the world how important that relationship is. We're certainly not arguing with that. But what we do question is how much should you really spend on one. You've probably heard a month's or two months' salary before.

Well, the concept of "how much" actually dates back to the 1930s, after De Beers launched a marketing campaign to strengthen the tradition of the ring (you know the jeweller's still-used-today slogan, "A Diamond Is Forever") and convince people to buy diamonds (which haven't been classified as a rare stone since the 1870s) in a bad economy. An ad in the late 1930s suggested spending a month's salary on an engagement ring, and then in the 1980s, that switched to two months' salary (check out the ad below), because "Isn't two months' salary a small price to pay for something that lasts forever?" So there you have it. That's where this tradition of spending a fortune on a ring came from—a marketing ploy.

But what do you think? Should you spend a significant portion of your salary on a ring? Does something lower-priced mean just as much? We want to know.

And if you are on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring or want to hint to your long-term S.O., keep scrolling to scope unique engagement rings for every budget below. 

Under $500

Under $1,000

Under $1,500

Related: 23 Fashion Insiders With Stunning Engagement Rings

Under $2,500

Under $5,000

Tibi Basia Lace Top ($385) in White

Gap Luxlight V-Neck Cardigan ($44.95) in Navy

H&M Blouse ($12.95) in White

Joe Fresh Pencil Skirt ($39, 212.764.1730)

Tiffany & Co. Quinn Top Handle Bag ($1,395) in Light Camel/White

Loeffler Randall Stella Bow Flats ($295) in White

Linda Farrow Luxe 84 Optical Glasses ($625) in Nickel & Grey

Oscar de la Renta Floral Arrangement Crystal Earrings ($375, 323.653.0200) in Black Diamond

Similar Styles:

Oscar de la Renta Geometric Crystal Bead Drop Earrings ($295) in Golden Shadow 

Joe Fresh Pencil Skirt ($39)