Bracelets are one of the most popular woman’s accessories. Over the years, several designs and concepts have progressed using different materials from wood, stone, bones to precious metals and gemstones. This accounts for the several designs of vintage jewelry found among collectors. Some of these are even used for religious purposes like mini rosaries or malas – beads used to recite repetitive prayers or chants, otherwise known as a mantra.
In earlier days, vintage bracelets include detailed designs. For the Chinese, these would include dragons and phoenixes in a gold bracelet which would usually be adorned with pearl and jade.
The Greek culture would have a different view of the use of vintage bracelets since it is usually worn by both men and women. This would actually be used for the purpose of both fashion and function. Women would usually wear this vintage jewelry above and below their elbows. Design would often be of animals like lions or snakes while men usually wear their accessory along the forearms as a protection during fights and as a main accent for their ceremonial dresses. The men’s version of this accessory can be made of metal or thick leather.
One of the most influential designs in vintage jewelry comes from the East. India contributed bangles to women’s jewelries and accessories and as proof, this is still being used today. Women would wear multiple bangles at the same time. This form of vintage bracelet can be made of many different materials, styles, color and one of the most popular designs would be the byzantine bracelets that can still be seen in present times.
Vintage bracelets from the East also include the use of lockets as charms and this locket would usually have a picture of a loved one or engraved messages. This antique jewelry would usually be made from gold or silver which makes this highly collectible and expensive as well. In present times, this fashion accessory would have this piece available in stainless steel or even platinum.
However this type of vintage jewelry is not only used in the East. Queen Victoria of England used to wear this that it became a fashion statement among the noble classes in Europe. In the United States during the 50s and 60s, charms are collected to commemorate memorable events in the lives of the American teenager.
Charms in bracelets may be considered as old jewelry design. However, one must admit that this has never really left the fashion world and has always been around. The demand for this type of vintage bracelet even increased with the popularity of several period films that Hollywood released which would have this fashion accessory on display.
Vintage bracelet design has evolved over the years of vintage jewelry to modern accessories. A variety of materials has been used from metals like gold, silver, bronze with adornment of precious and semi-precious stones like jade but none of these have really been a norm for this particular jewelry. But one cannot deny that the for thousands of years bracelets have been the symbol of fortune among all classes of people.
