An article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist here at Jewelry of the Southwest is called a Southwest bracelet. A Southwest bracelet can be manufactured from cloth, leather, plastic, or metal, and sometimes contains rocks, gemstones, wood, and shells. The origin of the word 'bracelet' comes from the Latin brachile meaning 'of the arm' which came from the Old French barcel.
The popularity of the bracelet dates back to the Roman times and continues today. The patterns of Roman necklaces and earrings were shared with Roman bracelets. Ball earrings from that era were matched with a ball style bracelet, and engraved snake and bangle bracelets were also popular during this time. Other popular Roman era pieces were the twisted lion head ends bracelet and the Hercules knot bracelet. Although the Romans were very creative at designing jewelry, they still borrowed from Greek motifs. The fleeing dogs, Palmettos, and acanthus leaves were of Greek origin, but were seen in the designing of Roman jewelry.
Various stones and glass were used in Roman bracelets. Eyes were often set with gemstones. Many of the berry and leaf bracelets were adorned with decorative glass. Women of wealth often wore bracelets layered in bezel set emeralds.
During the Georgian times in Paris, jewelers were known for their gold bracelets set with pearl edging. Following the 1820s, coral became the? fashion statement and bracelets and other jewelry were adorned with coral. Another fashion trend involved the wearing of many bracelets at once, including wide ribbon gold mesh bracelets and silk ribbon bracelets. Diamond and gem bracelets were designed in geometric patterns, and gold was the primary metal used during this era.
During the Victorian era, changes began to occur in womens fashions, which included a change in jewelry styles. Earrings were designed much longer and they dangled below the ear, and bracelets became more rigid and were worn in pairs. The buckle bracelet was extremely popular and fashionable.
Victorian jewelry expressed sentiment, and bracelets were no exception. A bracelet would contain a locket or charms with pictures or hair of a loved one, and engravings were quite common. Victorian artisans produced mystic jewelry with popular hidden meanings. For example, acrostic bracelets were created where the first letter of each gemstone spelled a world of friendship. A bracelet set with Lapis, Opal Vermeil, and Emerald stones spelled Love.
At the dawning of the Art Nouveau period, fashion and jewelry saw yet another change. Serpents and chameleons entwined themselves around bracelets, and the mystical Egyptian scarab was found on bracelets and rings. Other popular figures at this time included dragonflies, bees, butterflies, peacocks, swans, and even bats. The Art Nouveau period was a figural period attached to nature; therefore, if creatures were not depicted, then flower buds or flower blossoms were.
Between 1910 and 1939, womens sleeveless or short sleeve dresses were introduced to fashion. As a result, flexible bangles and bracelets were created to wear on the upper arm. Gemstones and diamonds adorned this type of arm bracelet.
Between 1940 and 1949, U.S. jewelry designers were significantly influenced by the designs from the French house of Van Cleef & Arpels. They designed bracelets with ribbon of hexagon lines centered on fine gemstones that were fastened with heavy clasps. This particular bracelet became very vogue.
Between 1950 and 1960, bracelets made for daily wear saw simpler lines for both gold bracelets and necklaces. Twisted wire or mesh wire bracelets were very popular.
Between 1960 and 1970, bracelets were created to be more flexible and were often set with gems. Bangles on the other hand became more rigid and were often seen set with random diamond placements.
Between 1970 and 1979, bracelets were also flexible and often set with tiny baguettes. Delicate and intricate bracelets were one of the most desired pieces of jewelry.
From the 1980s to the present, bracelet designs and styles have varied. Today, the styles of bracelets have become more of an individual fashion statement than a trend. Although Gold has always remained popular, as have gems, Sterling Silver has become extremely popular and recognized for its versatility, durability, and affordable prices. In the recent years, there has also been a demand for titanium bracelets.
Bracelets arent only used for fashion. In Latin America, traditional Azabache bracelets are worn to protect against the Mal de Ojo, or evil eye. The people of that culture believe the a evil eye is the result of excessive admiration or envious looks, and often gold bracelets are used to deflect the bad mojo. Parents of newborn infants often clasp an infant-sized azabache, which is a gold bracelet or necklace with a black or red coral charm in the form of a fist, around their newborn to protect them from the evil eye. In Bulgaria there is a tradition called Martenitsa. This ancient tradition involves wrapping or tying a red and white string around the wrist. By wearing the traditional Martenitsa bracelet in this manner, the wearer hopes to please Baba Marta to make spring come sooner. Bracelets are not always used for a superstitious act. In various parts of India, the type and number of bangles worn by a woman denotes her marital status. Around the world, bracelets are used for medical and identification purposes, such as a hospital patient-identification tag or allergy bracelet.
Typically, contemporary bracelets are found in three or four styles. The status symbol of the tennis bracelet signifies wealth and affluence more clearly than any Egyptian bracelet ever could. The in-line thin diamond bracelet that features a symmetrical pattern of diamonds is the traditional form of a tennis bracelet. This particular bracelet came into recent fashion, when Chris Evert, the former Number One World Woman tennis player and the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, was playing in the 1976 U.S. Open. Chris wore an elegant, light in-line diamond bracelet. During the match, the bracelet broke and the match was interrupted to allow Chris to recover her expensive diamonds. The 'tennis bracelet' incident sparked a new name for the item and grew to encompass a massive jewelry trend and status symbol.
For those with a little less money to spend who prefer a more sentimental value to their jewelry, like the Victorians, a charm bracelet carries personal charms, which are decorative pendants or trinkets that are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life. In more recent history, Italian charm bracelets have become trendy. While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of the link.
Bracelets that are in solid form, usually some form of metal such as Gold or Sterling Silver, are referred to as bangles or bangle bracelets. Like the bracelets of the Georgian era they can be smooth, textured, or set with stones and are often worn several at a time. In India, glass bangle bracelets are common. Made from ordinary glass that is about 1/4 to 1/8 inch in width, they are worn in groups so that arm movement causes them to make a pleasant sound rather like the clinking of wind chimes.
Today, womens fashion statements are about them A womans bracelet wardrobe can be what ever she wants. One day may be a dainty Turquoise Sterling Silver Tennis bracelet, and the next day may be a Chunky Turquoise Nugget bracelet.
Whether youre looking for sleek and slim or chunky and heavy, our collection of bracelets provides a wide variety of contemporary style and traditional Native American Indian style bracelets created by hand by contemporary tribe craftsmen and silversmiths from Native American Indian tribes, including the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi. Our Native American artists include Verna Blackgoat, Tommy Singer, The Tahe Family, Calvin Peterson, Calvin Begay, J.W. Toadlina, Jimmy Emerson, and Eddy Chaco. There are less expensive yet beautiful non-Indian made bracelets available. The bracelets are created in Sterling Silver or 14K Gold, and many of them are inlaid with various gemstones, including Turquoise, Coral, Lapis, Spiny Oyster, and Opal. We have a wide variety of Native American Indian Bracelets, Turquoise Bracelets, Tennis Bracelets, Inlaid Bracelets, Opal Bracelets, Coral Bracelets, Onyx Bracelets, Turquoise Tennis bracelets, Turquoise Cuff Bracelets, and Indian Bracelets. Your fashion statement is all about you, so feel free to be yourself
