Austin man brings nearly $10,000 Cartier Love bracelet in for repair. Then they tell him something shocking: ‘Sounds like it’s not worth the price’
A man from New York who currently lives in Austin faced a shocking price tag when he brought a Cartier love bracelet in-store for a routine repair. To replace just two diamonds that fell out of his 10-year-old bracelet, it would cost $6,000.
That’s a price that many people, including TikTok user Arnold Ruelas (@arnoldaruelas), are not willing to spend, especially considering the fact that the replacement of just two diamonds is over half the cost of the entire bracelet. Ruelas took to the internet to express some frustration with the pricepoint, emphasizing that he can’t wear the Cartier bracelet as often without the replacement, but still wants to keep it.
Still, would it be worth replacing the diamonds? Or, is it better to just get a new love bracelet from Cartier or a similar luxury retailer?
Is It Normal for Diamonds to Fall From Cartier Bracelets?
Ruelas seemed completely surprised that Cartier’s sales associate would openly tell him that the jewels in these bracelets fall out often and easily.
But it’s a fact that’s frankly hard to ignore with any gem-adorned jewelry. With regular use, a diamond could fall out, even with well-established companies. Wear and tear over the years can also make even the strongest prongs slowly loosen over time, especially with gold pieces.
Online forums like Purseforum cite Cartier as a relatively reliable brand that wouldn’t have loose diamonds. One commenter on a forum post from 2020 stated, “If it’s coming from a reputable jewelry house like Cartier – the stones should not loosen and fall out. It’s possible… but chances are really slim.” They also stated that Cartier’s jewelers would “stand by their pieces in the case that there’s a loose stone.”
The prongs on Cartier products should prevent any loose stones, but for Ruelas, that does not appear to be the case.
Are the Replacement Diamonds Actually Worth $3,000?
Cartier may price the replacements for the bracelet at $3,000 each, but that doesn’t necessarily mean those diamonds are worth that, especially if resold or brought to another retailer.
Diamonds are technically ‘artificially’ expensive and not considered a scarce resource in non-Western countries.
Pawn shops and other retailers won’t buy them unless they’re attached to a ring, and they’re typically discarded anyway or not purchased, alongside other gemstones. The only stores that can technically get away with selling diamonds for higher prices are usually high-end retailers.
Stores like Tiffany & Co. or Cartier can sell these jewels for premium prices, especially considering love bracelets and other unique, high-end items are considered scarce luxury products. Western countries have a completely different perspective on diamonds and other gemstones, naturally inflating their prices. Couple that with a company’s name brand recognition, and it makes for a pretty diamond (that just might fall out of its bracelet).
Some TikTokers were quick to notice this, stating that the diamonds in Rueleas’ bracelet may not be more than a 10th carat each and worth an estimated $100 in actuality.
Should He Get Another Cartier?
In Ruelas’s video, he asked whether he should consider brands like David Yurman or James Hardy, both of which are high-end but slightly less expensive.
Viewers generally leaned toward David Yurman as a new bracelet option, but some recommended companies like Tiffany & Co.
Some commenters, however, recommended that Ruelas stick with the Cartier bracelet, opting to replace it with less expensive inlays from a local jeweler.
“I recommend taking it to a local jeweler and setting rubies, sapphires, or colored diamonds in the bangle! It’ll be custom to you and honestly won’t cost too much. I had a pink sapphire set in my ring for about $25,” said one viewer.
@arnoldaruelas After almost 10 years, finally taking off the @Cartier love bracelet ? #cartier #lovebracelet ♬ original sound – Arnold / Pilates + Raver ?
The Mary Sue reached out to Ruelas and Cartier via email for comment.
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