Bracelets Through The Ages

The earliest bracelets date back to around 2500as 'Bracels,' from the Latin Brachium, meaning,
BC and were those worn by the Sumerians in'arm.' When women caught on that these Bracels
southern Mesopotamia. Bracelets, necklaces,would look great on them, they started wearing
anklets, finger rings and ear rings made thesmaller versions, called little Bracels...or 'Bracel-ets.'
women of Sumer into show windows of theirThe history of bracelets stretches forward
husband's prosperity. Bracelets were found in thethrough the Middle Ages of medieval Europe
tombs of Ur where it was customary to burythrough the Baroque period of the 18th century,
royalty with their jewellery and unfortunately theirand on right through to the present.
poor servants.Throughout time, bracelets have been made from
By about 2000 BC, in Ancient Egypt, braceletsmany different materials such as leather, iron,
emerged as major pieces of jewellery. Braceletscopper, beads, bone and teeth as well as precious
were found in the ruins from the Vesuviasmetals and gemstone.
eruption in Pompeii in 79 AD.Throughout the ages bracelets have always been
It was during the age of the Egyptian Pharaohspopular and the styles seem to have varied
that charm bracelets were first seen althoughaccording to dress styles. In cultures where
charms themselves dated back as far as thepeople wore sleeveless or short sleeved attire
Neolithic era when men would gather unusual bitssuch as the Romans and ancient Greeks, the
of wood or pieces of stone which would bewearing of bracelets both on the upper and lower
carried about their person in order to ward offarm became popular with both men and women.
their enemies. So these charms were consideredThe wearing of upper arm bracelets is still popular
'lucky charms' and powerful protectors againsttoday with modern fashionable skimpy clothing
evil.lending itself well to the wearing of more
It wasn't until the time of the Pharaohs thoughjewellery.
that these charms were incorporated intoToday, bracelets are worn by both men and
elaborate pieces of jewellery such as wrist andwomen in a variety of materials such as traditional
neck bracelets which were not only deemed toprecious metals like gold silver and platinum.
offer protection but were also a sign of howModern plastics and acrylics are now much used
prosperous the person had been in life and afterto make trendy, unusual bracelets as well as
death would be an indicator to the Gods of thismetals like titanium and zirconium which have
persons proper status in the after life.become popular because they are hard wearing,
In Grecian times bracelets were popular with menvery light and hypoallergenic. Whatever your
and soldiers wore defensive bands of leather,tastes and whatever your budget, there is an
often decorated with gold, silver and orenormous choice of bracelets and bangles to suit
gemstones, on their forearms. They were knowneveryone.