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 Bracelet – “an ornamental band or circlet for the wrist or arm”
The history of bracelets is as old as 5000 BCE during the time of the Egyptians. The earliest bracelets were crafted from bones, stones and woods to serve religious and spiritual needs. With time and with the improvement in metal working, arm bands or armulets, and bracelets worked from gold andset with the finest gemstones began to appear.
The origin of the term 'bracelet' is from the Latin 'brachile' meaning 'of the arm', via the Old French 'barcel'.
 Bangle – “a rigid, ring-shaped bracelet usually made without a clasp so as to slip over the hand”
Bangles are circular in shape and are worn as a wrist ornament. The word derives from the Hindi word ‘bungri’, which means ‘glass’. Bangles are not flexible like most bracelets. Bangles are made of a variety of materials including glass, metal and gemstone encrusted gold. They are worn in pairs, one or more on each arm by Hindu women as a sign of matrimony. It is a tradition for the bride to wear as many small glass bangles as possible at her wedding, because the honeymoon does not end until the last glass bangle breaks.
Throughout history bracelets have been a popular ornament of personal adornment.
 Bracelets dating back to Roman times used motifs that remain popular today. Roman jewelry motifs included balls, knots, snakes and lion’s heads and were hand crafted from high karat gold. The Romans also borrowed traditional Greek motifs including palmettos, fleeing dogs and acanthus leaves in the design of their jewelry. Stones and glass beads and cabochons were often used to decorate the gold. Gemstones were commonly set in eyes, leaf and berry bracelets were heavily adorned with decorative glass, and open bands were cut out to represent a row of ivy entwined with pearls. Wealthy Roman women often owned emerald set bracelets and layered these with their other bracelets as a show of wealth and status.
The Georgian Era (1714-1811) was a period of elegance in the British Empire and bracelets became a very popular accessory. Gold, gemstones, pearls and diamonds were used heavily during this period.
After 1920 coral became popular and was integrated into the jewelry designs. It was very fashionable to wear many bracelets at once, including wide gold ribbon mesh bracelets, and silk ribbon bracelets.
 The Victorian Era (1837- 1911) saw stark changes to women’s fashion. In contrast to the dark, rigid and buckled up look of the clothing earrings grew long and dangled, bracelets were normally worn in pairs and the buckle bracelet became very popular. The jewelry of the Victorian era expressed sentiment, and bracelets were no exception. Bracelets would contain lockets or charms with pictures or the hair of a loved one, and engravings were common. Victorian’s also enjoyed jewelry with hidden meanings. Acrostic bracelets, where the first letter of each gemstone spelled a word of friendship were very popular. For example a bracelet set with Lapis, Opal, Vermeil [actually hessonite garnet] and Emerald would spell Love.
The Art Nouveau period (1880’s to 1914) once again saw changes to fashion and jewelry. With the dawn of a new century came a reflection back to earlier times and to a celebration of the natural world. Chameleons and serpents entwined themselves around bracelets. The mystical Egyptian scarab was found on bracelets and rings. Other popular creatures included dragonflies, butterflies, bees, peacocks, swans, and even bats.
If jewelry did not depict creatures it depicted flower blossoms or flower buds.
Bracelet styles have become an individual fashion statement and in many case a trend.
 From 1950 to 1970 simpler lines, more flexible designs and delicate and dainty bracelets were vogue.
From the 1970s to the present, bracelet fashions have been mixed and varied. Gold has always remained popular, as have gemstones and pearls. Sterling silver has become popular because it was recognized for its affordable price, versatility and wearability.During the twentieth century we saw many bracelet trends.
Do you remember…Charm Bracelets, POW-MIA Bracelets, ID Bracelets, Friendship bracelets, Slap Bracelets, Power Bracelets, Cuffs or Slave Bracelets, and Jelly Bracelets to name a few? The hottest trend today...
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Other current trends include Pandora Bracelets, Jelly Bracelets and... |
