When I was 16 in the summer of 2012, I spent two months in Italy exploring art, soaking up the Mediterranean waters and sun, and taking in European night life. Upon my arrival, a family friend gave me a foreign looking object. It was a purple stringy bracelet with one woven “C” along with a heart and flower pattern. I immediately put the bracelet on. Since then, it has never come off from my right wrist. It serves as a symbol of an amazing summer and all that I have learned and gained from it.
When people ask me where I got the bracelet, I tell them I received it as a gift in Italy and that they are sold limitedly in other countries. Three years since, my cherished Cruciani C bracelet has become a bit raggedy, so I looked into buying one to replace it. After cruising the Cruciani website and looking into their company history, I learned that if it weren’t for these signature stringy Italian lace bracelets, the Cruciani Company would no longer be running. The struggling business created these lace C bracelets in an attempt to save them from debt and future bankruptcy. Four years ago when these C bracelets were put on the market, they took Italian beach cities by storm and later moved onto other ocean and seaside areas in Europe. Since then, they have branched out globally and have finally reached the United States with their boutique shop in Miami, Florida.
As a gift, they are incredibly thoughtful. Like Alex and Ani bracelets, each design has a meaning behind it. For example, the “Spicy” C bracelet encompasses the Italian tradition of good luck in pointed objects such as the pepper. It is a perfect gift for the feisty and sassy friend in your life. One of the most popular C bracelets, and the one I wear, is “Love and Luck.” To me love and luck were the anthem words of my 2012 summer, which is why I keep it so close to me. With an alternating heart and flower pattern, it comes in many colors and is the classic staple of this brand’s product. There are C bracelets made with Mickey Mouse, turtles, elephants, and even Arabic messages. There is a Cruciani C bracelet for everyone, making it a wonderful and sentimental gift.
So why are people crazed over these bracelets? They are a symbol of summer and have the ability to show friendship. Perfect as a summer accessory, they are light, relatively inexpensive, delicate, and their designs have great meaning. Simple C bracelets start at $20, while complex lace and jewel bracelets start at $50 and can reach up to $80. You do not have to worry about them tarnishing on the beach, as they are made of a heavily woven lace blend. And these accessories will keep you cool and not weight you down in your summer activities.
Whether you wear five of these bracelets on wrist or wrap one around your ankle, the Cruciani C bracelet screams summer. If you cannot make it out to one of their boutiques, you can purchase them on their website with free shipping!
