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When you look for a Cartier bracelet, the nail-shaped Juste un Clou and the screw-lined Love often end up side by side. Both come from the same designer and both are slim gold circles, so photos alone rarely show how they differ.
This article explains what Juste un Clou is, how it differs from the Love, and how to choose between the bracelet and the ring.
Juste un Clou is a nail-shaped line | on and off without tools
Juste un Clou is a nail wound round the wrist or finger. Unlike the screw-set Love, its clasp hides in the head, so no tools are needed.
Both were drawn by Aldo Cipullo at Cartier New York; the Love came first and Juste un Clou followed. The Love is a bangle whose meaning lies in never taking it off, while Juste un Clou grew from the idea of turning an ordinary tool into fine jewelry.
Origin of Juste un Clou | the "just a nail" Aldo Cipullo drew in New York in 1971
The name Juste un Clou means "just a nail" in French. In 1971 Aldo Cipullo, an Italian-born designer at Cartier New York, made a building nail in 18K gold and bent it to follow the wrist as a bracelet. It was then called the Nail bracelet, two years after the Love.
New York in the 1970s was a time when the urge to break old values ran strong, and turning an everyday nail into jewelry mirrors that mood. The design went out of production, but in 2012 Cartier brought it back as Juste un Clou, in yellow, white and pink gold, plus a model paved with diamonds.
Juste un Clou vs Love | closure, wearing, shape and meaning
The two lines differ less in shape than in how they close. Front views first, then a table.
Photos | Juste un Clou nail vs Love screws
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Juste un Clou | nail Round wire: flat nail head at one end, sharp tip at the other; the two sit side by side at the front. |
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Love/screw A flat oval band with slotted screw heads evenly spaced all round, so it looks the same from any side. |
Table | Juste un Clou vs Love
| Item | Juste un Clou | Love |
|---|---|---|
| Year | 1971; current name from 2012 | 1969 |
| Motif | Nail; head, tip side by side | Screw heads spaced round band |
| Closure (bracelet) | Clasp hidden in nail head | Two screws join two half-circles |
| Wear | On and off alone, no tools | Needs the screwdriver |
| Band | Round wire | Flat oval band |
| Meaning | Wit: a tool made jewelry | A love vow, kept on |
| Best for | Those who switch daily and like stacking | Anniversary gift, worn daily |
The biggest gap in the table is wearing: though both are gold bangles, the Love is made to stay on, and Juste un Clou to come off some days. Neither ring uses screws; both simply slip on, so this gap matters when choosing a bracelet.
Juste un Clou types | bracelets, rings, necklaces and models
The line centers on bracelets and rings, plus necklaces and earrings. Bracelets and rings come in a standard classic model and a slimmer small model; the same nail looks quite different on the hand.
The gold comes in yellow, pink and white. Some models set diamonds on the head or body; others are fully paved. Match your Love's color and two pieces stay even when stacked.
Choosing a Juste un Clou bracelet or ring | shape and closure beside the Love
Choosing between Juste un Clou and Love comes down to wrist or finger, and whether you want screws. Here the staple bracelet, the classic ring and, for comparison, the classic Love sit side by side, all in yellow gold.
Juste un Clou bracelet, yellow gold | the nail head is the clasp
The Juste un Clou bracelet is where the line began: like a building nail bent round, with nail-like grooves behind the head. The clasp hides in the head and clicks shut.
Being slim, it never looks heavy, even stacked with a watch or bangles. It looks best peeking from a shirt or knit cuff, for those who change jewelry daily.
Juste un Clou ring classic | a nail round the finger
The ring winds the bracelet's nail down to finger size. Head and tip sit side by side, so even a slim ring has clear depth in front. The classic has a thicker wire and more presence than the small.
Its shape draws the eye on its own, so the hand never looks bare without other rings. It pairs well with plain knits, shirts and denim, and is an easy first Juste un Clou piece to try.
Love bracelet classic | a vow closed by screws
The Love bracelet is a flat bangle of two half-circles joined by side screws, lined with screw-head motifs and fastened with the supplied screwdriver. For why the giver keeps it, see our Love bracelet guide.
Its flat band catches light, so its outline is clearer on the wrist than the slim Juste un Clou. It holds up with a suit or smart coat; an easy anniversary gift to wear daily.
4 points to know before buying Juste un Clou pre-owned
✓ Pick by how often it comes off
If it stays on daily, the Love; if it comes off to suit clothes or plans, Juste un Clou. Decide how you will wear it before the design.
✓ Marked size vs wrist fit
A bracelet's marked size may not match how it sits; wrist thickness and bone shape matter too. Read the marked size and wrist size on the product page separately, and compare with a bangle you own.
✓ Check head and tip in photos
The nail head and sharp tip sit where they easily knock desks and watches. Fine scratches on flat faces or a rounded tip show directly, so read close-ups with the condition notes.
✓ Marks/papers aren't proof
Serials, certificates and cases are clues, but judging by them alone is risky. Weigh the marks' position and font, the build, and the seller's authentication and aftercare too.
FAQ
Q. Can men wear Juste un Clou?
A. Juste un Clou is built on a nail, a gender-neutral motif, so it rarely looks out of place on men. Check fit against the marked size, wrist size and ring size on the product page.
Q. Can I stack Juste un Clou and Love?
A. Juste un Clou and Love come from the same designer, so they sit well together. Metal on metal can leave fine scratches, so match the gold, and if it bothers you, wear them on the wrist opposite your watch.
Q. Can I find Juste un Clou rings pre-owned?
A. Juste un Clou centers on bracelets and rings, and on the pre-owned market rings turn up more often. We have also handled classic, small and diamond-set models.
Q. Can I use a Love bracelet without its screwdriver?
A. The Love bracelet is fastened with screws, so it needs its special screwdriver. The product page lists whether it is included, so checking the accessories first is reassuring.
Recap
Juste un Clou makes jewelry of the "just a nail" Aldo Cipullo drew in 1971. The Love by the same hand uses screws and a screwdriver; this goes on without tools via a clasp in the head.
First split Love and Juste un Clou by how often it comes off, then pick bracelet or ring, classic or small. Pre-owned, check the head and tip in photos, and look beyond marks and papers to the seller.
ALAMODE offers many popular Cartier pieces, led by Juste un Clou. Each item has its own photos and details, so you can choose while checking condition and design. For a special piece, readour guide to Cartier Panthèreand browse our online shop.
Where to Buy Cartier in Shibuya
Tokyo Brand produce by ALAMODE Shibuya Main
1F Saint Louis Building, 26-3 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0042
Hours: 12:30–21:00 (Closed: January 1)
TEL: 03-5990-4745
Tokyo Brand produce by ALAMODE Shibuya 109
Tamakyu Building 1F, 2-30-4 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0043
Hours: 12:30–21:00 (Closed: January 1)
TEL: 03-6712-7331
