The five high-end jewellery pieces you'd never know were smart

We pick out some accessories that look good, but will also look after you

The Bellabeat Leaf Chakra activity tracker. Courtesy Bellabeat 
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Wearable technology has come on leaps and bounds since the first clunky watches and futuristic glasses came on the scene.

As technology has developed, so has jewellery design, and the result is a number of smart pieces that are refined and sleek, while still providing you with the information you need.

Here are our picks of some of the newest smart jewellery pieces on the market ...

Bellabeat Leaf Chakra

The Leaf Chakra from Bellabeat (pictured above) is the subtle way to wear smart jewellery. The pendant, which comes in a natural rose quartz with silver hardware, or natural onyx framed in rose gold, could easily be mistaken for an elegant jewellery piece, but in reality is much more than that.

The Leaf Chakra is a natural wellness tracker that is especially attuned to women’s health. The pendant allows its wearer to keep tabs on all aspects of their well-being, such as sleep patterns, stress levels and reproductive health, helping to create a unique algorithm that will let you know when you are physically more susceptible to stress.

The tracker syncs with the Bellabeat app, which offers daily motivation and advice on dealing with stress, as well as connecting users with the Bellabeat online community. The Leaf Chakra can be worn as a necklace or a brooch.

Dh364, www.bellabeat.com

Tag Heuer Connected Modular

Tag Heuer Connected Modular. Courtesy Tag Heuer
Tag Heuer Connected Modular. Courtesy Tag Heuer

Smart watches have traditionally been more about technology than style, moving away from the typical look of a classic timepiece. But Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has bridged the gap with its Connected Modular.

The smartwatch comes with a powerful Intel processor, giving the wearer up to 512MB of main memory and 4GB of storage, and is compatible with smartphones running Android 4.4+ or iOS9.3+. But it’s the design of the Connected Modular that really sets it apart. The watch is crafted in Tag Heuer’s La Chaux-de-Fonds Swiss workshop, using the same standards the brand applies to its luxury mechanical chronographs.

The Connected Modular is designed with a black matte ceramic strap capped with 18-carat 5N bezel, although the model is compatible with a number of strap textures and colours.

Dh15,243, www.tagheuer.com

Oura

Oura ring. Courtesy Oura
Oura ring. Courtesy Oura

Oura describes itself as “the world’s most advanced wearable”, and is packed full of complex sensors to help its wearer get a deep understanding of their body. The thick metal bands could easily be mistaken for a wedding ring and, in fact, was when Prince Harry was spotted wearing an Oura ring on his right hand during a royal tour to Australia in October.

But the smart ring is actually an advanced sleep tracker, which tunes in to even the subtlest body changes to provide an accurate and clear picture of sleep patterns and the factors contributing to any changes. Oura rings feature a body temperature sensor that takes a reading every minute while the wearer is asleep, comparing these with stored data to create a temperature baseline and highlight any deviations from it. It also uses infrared LEDs to measure blood volume directly from the palmar arteries of the finger, alongside the usual activity tracking.

There is little deviation in the Oura design, aside from shades varying from black, silver and stealth, although there is now a diamond encrusted version on offer.

Dh 3,669, www.ouraring.com

Talsam

Charm. Courtesy Talsam
Charm. Courtesy Talsam

The smart technology in Talsam jewellery is less about practicality and more about passion. In terms of functionality, this pendant does not have the same specs as others on the market, instead focusing on the romantic sentiment traditionally associated with jewellery, allowing two wearers to connect through a series of subtle and intimate communication signs.

Talsam’s founder wanted to design a piece of jewellery that he could use to send his loved one a signal each time he was thinking of her, and that is how the charm was born. It has the ability to flash whenever a signal is sent to it via a connecting app, as well as containing a secret message sent from a linked Talsam charm. It also allows a signal to be sent if a wearer is ever in trouble, providing an instant location and SOS alert.

The inaugural charm collection comes in a number of colourways, including Lapis Lazuli and Amazonite. The detachable charm can be worn as a pendant or bracelet, and can be purchased as a standalone or as part of a linked pair.

Dh730, www.talsam.com

Galaxy Watch 

Galaxy Watch 42mm in Rose Gold. Courtesy Samsung
Galaxy Watch 42mm in Rose Gold. Courtesy Samsung

The Samsung Galaxy Watch in rose gold offers a more feminine take on the traditionally robust-looking smart watch. It’s pretty pinkish hue is matched with a gold face that realistically mimics the dial of a mechanical watch.

In this instance, however, the display offers military-grade durability, swim-ready water resistance and Corning Gorilla Glass DX+ that prevents it from getting scratched. The Galaxy Watch pairs with both Android and iOS smartphones, via Bluetooth. It will automatically track workouts, monitor your heart rate and detect when you switch from one activity to another. It also allows you to check your schedule, make and take calls with an integrated speaker and voice mic, respond to texts, and access scores, headlines and playlists.

The watch is available in two sizes and three colours, with a range of interchangeable bands.

Dh1,042, www.samsung.com/ae