Earring, a personal ornament worn pendent from the ear, usually suspended by means of a ring or hook passing through a pierced hole in the lobe of the ear or, in modern times, often by means of a screwed clip on the lobe. The impulse to decorate or to modify the appearance of the ear seems to be almost universal. In general, usage appears to call for wearing earrings in pairs, the two ornaments in all respects resembling each other; but a single earring has sometimes been worn. (The single earring was especially popular in Europe during the Renaissance and Baroque period.)
In the Orient, earrings historically were worn by both sexes; in the West (including ancient Israel and Egypt) as a general rule, they were considered to be exclusively female ornaments. Among the Greeks and Romans earrings were worn only by women, and the practice of men wearing them often is spoken of in classical literature as a distinctly Oriental (i.e., Middle Eastern) trait.
In the tombs of the Greek settlers on the Crimean Peninsula (4th century BC), earrings of marvelous complexity and beauty were found. Jewels of the same class, of exquisite beauty and workmanship, were found in the sepulchres of ancient Etruria. Earrings of comparatively simple forms, but set with pearls and other stones, were the mode in Rome.
In Europe, earrings tended to go out of fashion when the wig, coiffure, or headdress obscured the ears, as in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Use of these ornaments continued to be unfashionable in Europe and the Americas during the 19th century but were revived again in the 20th, especially with the introduction of clipping devices. Simplified painless methods of piercing the ears led to the renewed popularity of pierced earrings.
Bracelet
A bracelet is an article of jewellery that is worn around the wrist. Bracelets may serve different uses, such as being worn as an ornament. When worn as ornaments, bracelets may have a supportive function to hold other items of decoration, such as charms. Medical and identity information are marked on some bracelets, such as allergy bracelets, hospital patient-identification tags, and bracelet tags for newborn babies. Bracelets may be worn to signify a certain phenomenon, such as breast cancer awareness, or for religious/cultural purposes.
If a bracelet is a single, inflexible loop, it is often called a bangle. When it is worn around the ankle it is called an ankle bracelet or anklet. A boot bracelet is used to decorate boots. Bracelets can be manufactured from metal, leather, cloth, plastic, bead or other materials, and jewelry bracelets sometimes contain jewels, rocks, wood, shells, crystals, metal, or plastic hoops, pearls and many more materials.
Rigid bracelets, usually from metal, wood, or plastic, are referred to as bangles or bangle bracelets. They can be smooth, textured or set with stones. In India, glass bangles are common. Made from ordinary glass that is about 3 to 6 millimetres (1?8 to 1?4 in) in width, they are worn in groups so that arm movement causes them to make a gracious sound rather like the clinking of wind chimes. In India, it is also common that young children will wear thin gold bangles on their hands and ankles.
Necklace Types: 10 Different Choices to Wear Round Your Neck
1. Chain necklaces
Chain necklaces are simple, with little to no decoration apart from diamonds or gemstone pavé. The styles of chain link determine the look of the chain, though the most common is the curb link. ;
2. Pendant necklace
A pendant necklace consists of a single item of decoration hanging from a chain. One variation of the pendant is the locket, which can be used to hold a memento of your choice, such as a photo. Another type of pendant is the very feminine lavalier - created at the beginning of the 20th century - with highly elaborate pendants, often crafted with gemstones and filigree gold or platinum.
3. Bib necklace
The bib necklace consists of a number of layered chains or a single large element that covers the entirety of the breastbone. They tend to be large in volume and highly embellished, creating an extraordinary impact.
4. Lariat
The necklace style with a double meaning is the lariat: one version is a long singular rope or chain with decoration at either extremity, which can then be wrapped around the neck, or loosely tied. The second interpretation of a lariat is more common in high jewelry; where the necklace meets at a central point at the front of the design and drops to one singular chain or motif.
5. Sautoir
Sautoirs have become enormously popular in high jewellery in recent years, and during 2019’s Paris Haute Couture Week, almost every maison included one sautoir necklace in their collections. The size and grandeur of the sautoir allows for a dramatic visual effect and, to add to this, the ends are often finished with tassels or pendants.
6. Rivière necklace
The rivière necklace is comprised of stones in a gentle gradation of size, intricately linked, creating the effect of a gradually flowing stream of diamonds or gemstones. The name of this necklace literally translates to ‘river’ in French, referring to the way the gemstones pass gracefully around the neck. This strikingly beautiful type of necklace puts the focus on the beauty of the stones rather than the design, and is a classic choice for evening wear or special occasions.
7. Chocker
The choker - popular since the Middle Ages and a style that has erupted again through the last decade - is a necklace that fits snugly around the neck. This type of necklace can be slim, elegant and refined or broader and more edgy.
8. Torsade
For those who are looking for a unique type of necklace, there is the torsade, which features multiple strands of pearls or gemstone beads twisted together. ;
9. Torc
A torc (also spelled torq or torque) is a large rigid or stiff neck ring in metal, made either as a single piece, or with a twisting mechanism of two components. The great majority are open at the front, although some have hook and ring closures. ;
10. Festoon
This style is characterized by garlands or ribbons of natural motifs (flowers, leaves and vines) hung in sweeping curves around the neck and shoulders. To be a true festoon, a necklace must have swags or drapes of chains incorporated into its design.
Ring
Ring, a circular band of gold, silver, or some other precious or decorative material that is worn on the finger. Rings are worn not only on the fingers but also on toes, the ears (see earring), and through the nose. Besides serving to adorn the body, rings have functioned as symbols of authority, fidelity, or social status.
Basically, a ring consists of three parts: the circle, or hoop; the shoulders; and the bezel. The circle can have a circular, semicircular, or square cross-section, or it can be shaped as a flat band. The shoulders consist of a thickening or enlargement of the circle wide enough to support the bezel. The bezel is the top part of a ring; it may simply be a flat table, or it may be designed to hold a gem or some other ornament.
What are brooches used for?
Brooches are a classic accessory, worn for centuries. Today they are regarded as items of adornment. But brooches were originally functional items, intended to secure pieces of cloth to the wearer.
The oldest brooches date back to the Bronze Age, made with thorns and flint and later with metal. It wasn’t until the Roman-Byzantine period in the 3rd century that brooches took on a more decorative purpose – worn by men and women to fasten a scarf or shawl or accessorise an outfit.
Over time, brooches have gained symbolism through their striking designs. From the 18th century, mourning brooches became a popular way of remembering a loved one, often by incorporating hair in their design. Often, intricate pictures were set under glass on a brooch, depicting scenes that represented death. They were frequently embellished with precious gems and metals, and worn over the heart of the mourner to signify closeness.
How to wear a brooch
Whatever your style, there’s always an elegant way to use a brooch to accessorize an outfit, hat or hairstyle.
As part of your hairstyle
At weddings or other formal occasions, consider wearing your antique brooch in your hair. Whether it’s pinned into a chignon or adorns the side of your fishtail plait, using your brooch to accessorise hints at the importance of heritage, tradition and family.
On the neckline
Traditionally, brooches were worn in the centre of a sweeping neckline, drawing the eye to the centre of a woman’s evening dress. Similarly, if you have a dress with a deep V back, pin your brooch at its base to add a bit of interest to an otherwise minimal dress.
To secure your necktie or headscarf
Use your brooch to secure your necktie or headscarf, as well as adding a touch of personality. To draw attention to the brooch, be sure to avoid clashing patterns, and place it where it can easily be seen.
|
