Behind every public figure's polished appearance lies a personal beauty regimen. This series examines the diets, workouts, treatments, and fashion choices of notable figures as practical lifestyle inspiration.
A necklace that broadcaster Shin Bong-sun has been seen wearing on multiple occasions is drawing attention as a high-end luxury jewelry piece priced well above 20 million won ($15,000).
The necklace, shared through Shin's social media, is the Hardware Small Link Necklace from American jewelry brand Tiffany & Co. It features a chain of near-oval metal links connected in sequence, with no pendant or gemstone decoration — the chain itself is the design.
The specific piece Shin has been photographed wearing is the small link model in 18-karat rose gold. Tiffany & Co.'s official Korean website lists it at 24.55 million won.
Hardware is one of Tiffany & Co.'s signature jewelry collections. Unlike conventional fine-chain necklaces, it places the shape and connecting structure of the metal links at the center of the design.
The Tiffany Hardware collection launched in 2017, but its design roots go back to 1962.
The starting point was an archival Tiffany bracelet created that year, inspired by Manhattan's streets. The brand reinterpreted that bracelet's form for a modern audience and built the Hardware collection around it.
Tiffany & Co. was founded in New York in 1837. The Hardware collection draws on the architecture, streetscapes, and industrial elements of the city where the brand began.
The defining element is the "Gauge Link" — an elongated oval ring connected in a repeating sequence, similar in structure to an industrial chain. Each link combines a curved section with a straight section, and the repeated arrangement forms the necklace or bracelet.
Where conventional chain necklaces rely on thin metal rings or decorative pendants, Hardware puts the size, thickness, and connection method of the links front and center.
Since the collection's launch, Tiffany has expanded beyond necklaces and bracelets to include earrings and rings. The same gauge link appears across the range, but variations in link size, arrangement, material, and the presence or absence of diamond settings distinguish individual pieces.
Tiffany & Co. says each link in the Hardware collection is individually finished before being connected one by one. The process involves maintaining a consistent link shape while hand-polishing the metal surface to a smooth finish.
The Hardware Small Link Necklace associated with Shin is made in 18-karat rose gold.
18-karat gold is an alloy with a gold content of 75 percent. Pure gold is mixed with copper and other metals to adjust color and physical properties. Rose gold gets its warm, reddish hue from the copper content.
According to Tiffany & Co.'s official website, the piece features small-size links and measures 45.7 centimeters in length. It is constructed from multiple gauge links connected in an unbroken sequence.
The entire chain uses links of the same design, with no separate decorative pendant. The brand says it adjusts the proportion and curve of each link and finishes the metal surface by hand.
The Hardware necklace line comes in several versions based on link size, including micro, small, and medium. As the links grow larger, the width and thickness of each ring change, affecting both the amount of metal used and the overall look of the piece.
Some models use links of a uniform size throughout. Others feature a graduated link necklace design, in which the links grow larger toward the center.
Materials are also divided between rose gold and yellow gold. Models set with diamonds are sold as a separate, higher-priced line.
The small link necklace associated with Shin is the 18-karat rose gold version without diamonds. Its defining characteristic is the repeating sequence of uniform metal links in place of any gemstone or pendant.
Prices within the Hardware collection vary considerably depending on material, link size, and whether diamonds are set.
On Tiffany & Co.'s official Korean website, the small link necklace is listed at 24.55 million won for both the rose gold and yellow gold versions.
The micro link necklace — a smaller-link version within the same collection — is priced at 16.2 million won for the rose gold model. It shares the same collection identity but differs in ring size and construction.
The graduated link necklace in yellow gold is listed at 37 million won. Its links grow progressively larger toward the center of the chain.
Diamond-set models carry higher price tags. A graduated link necklace in yellow gold adorned with pavé diamonds has an official retail price of 92.9 million won.
Pricing across the Hardware collection reflects not only design but also the type and quantity of precious metal used and the addition of gemstone settings. The small link model associated with Shin commands more than 20 million won even without diamonds.
18-karat gold jewelry requires careful maintenance. Despite its high gold content, the surface can scratch, and contact with detergents, bleach, and other chemical products should be avoided.
Tiffany & Co. advises keeping gold jewelry away from household cleaners and bleach to preserve its luster. When not in use, pieces should be stored in a dedicated pouch, and the condition of links and clasps should be checked regularly.
This is particularly important for pieces like Hardware, where multiple metal links are joined together — a sharp tug or external impact can damage the links or the clasp.
The Tiffany Hardware Small Link Necklace that Shin regularly wears belongs to a collection reinterpreting a 1962 archival design for a contemporary audience. Crafted in 18-karat rose gold with hand-finished links, it currently retails on the official Korean market for 24.55 million won.
rainbow@heraldcorp.com
