Flex'it Bracelet with Gold and Diamond Accent
Jewelry (Decorative Art), Bracelet • Likely FOPE (Italian high jewelry brand) or a very similar contemporary jeweler specializing in flexible mesh styles.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Italian Jewelry Design / Modernist Minimalism
Medium & Technique
Sterling silver or white gold mesh, gold rondelle, and pavé-set diamonds. Constructed using a flexible link weave technique which allows the piece to stretch without a clasp.
Creation Period
Late 20th to Early 21st Century (Modern/Contemporary)
Dimensions & Format
Standard wrist size (approx. 17-19 cm circumference), circular format.
Subject Description
A circular 'tubogas' style flexible bracelet featuring an intricate woven metallic mesh body. It is embellished with a single sliding or stationary metallic rondelle composed of gold bands sandwiching a central band of small white diamonds.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Metal shows some surface wear and potential tarnishing; mesh appears to maintain its structural elasticity.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $1,200 (Highly dependent on metal purity: sterling silver vs. 18k gold)
Auction Estimate
$250 - $750
Provenance History
Unknown; adhesive price tag '5.6' (possibly indicating local currency or stock number) suggests a secondary market or thrift/estate sale context.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the revolutionary 'Flex'it' technology pioneered by FOPE in the 1950s and popularized in the 1980s, which redefined luxury jewelry as functional, clasp-free daily wear.
Notable Features
Complex woven mesh texture; clasp-less design; contrast between industrial-inspired mesh and traditional luxury materials (gold/diamonds).
Condition Issues
Minor surface scratches (scuffs) on the gold rondelle; potential internal spring tension fatigue; light oxidation in the recessed areas of the mesh weave.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional ultrasonic cleaning and steam treatment. Avoid harsh chemicals that may degrade internal springs. Store flat to prevent stretching.