GUIDE TO BUYING BRACELETS

The origin of the "bracelet" is said to have started as far back as 7,000 years ago precisely where the existence of mankind is said to have had its beginnings: Africa. The designs of the first bracelets were simple and natural, including the use of materials such as wood, stones, bones, plant fibers, and as we made it into the Bronze Age - bronze and copper. In ancient Greece and Rome, women wore gold and silver bracelets on enhance their looks, while men wore thick leather or metal bracelets as a part of their military armor and ceremonial attire.

In later centuries, the Chinese influence the development of bracelets by inventing various types of bracelets including the Jade bangle and the pearl bracelet. During the 19th century, bracelets were used for memorabilia. Bracelets were now lockets housing photos of loved ones and even strands of hair! Charm and name-engraved bracelets also rose in popularity during that time.

In the present day, wearing a bracelet is more than just a fashion statement; in fact wearing bracelets can make a political statement, and even show that you are part of a cause. Materials used in the production of bracelets vary within a large spectrum. These can be plastic, rubber, silver, and gold. But in a world where we're encouraged to "Go Green", many consumers are inching their way back to the origin of the bracelet by purchasing bracelets made out of leather and other natural materials.

A list of the most common bracelets being worn today:

Charm:

A link bracelet made in a variety of metals, usually decorated with a diversity of pendants of representative significance in someone's life. The style of the charm bracelet varies from the traditional band with dangling coins and trinkets to the more modern Italian and Pandora bracelets.

Tennis:

A narrow chain with individually set gemstones; this style of bracelet got its name when it fell off the wrist of Tennis Champion, Chris Evert during a match. Despite its recently acquired title of "Tennis Bracelet", this style of jewelry has been around for much longer and was formerly known as the "Eternity Bracelet".

Bangle:

This is a thick cylindrical band made from a variety of materials such as wood, metal, glass (used in Hindi culture to represent marital status) and even the more affordable materials such as rubber and plastic. The origins of bangles are traced to South Asia as far back as the 6th century BCE.

Cuff:

The earliest known cuff bracelets date back as far as 1500 BC. In ancient Egyptian culture, pharaohs wore cuff bracelets adorned with decorative lines of jewels and multi-colored glass, and appear frequently in frescoes depicting royalty. Among the early Mayans, cuff bracelets were generally wide and made of metal, worn exclusively by kings. They have also been excavated from early Inca graves, and have been linked by archaeologists to early Roman, Chinese, and African cultures. Today, the popularity of the cuff bracelet endures. Fashioned of every imaginable material, from leather to silver, adorned with jewels, beads, and patterns, they suit a range of styles and occasions. Both alone or stacked with other complimentary cuffs, these bracelets make an eye-catching statement, and have been further popularized by David Yurman's distinctive designs, featuring precious metals, precious stones, and geometric designs. Cuff bracelets have also made several celebrity appearances in recent years, including being worn by Paris Hilton, Anne Hathaway, and Emma Watson.