Antique & Vintage Bracelet Guide
As with most other jewellery, bracelets have been worn since ancient times. With the earliest Egyptian bracelets dating back to 5,000 BC and the earliest Turkish bracelets dating back to 7,500 BC. Throughout history bracelets have been extremely popular and remain so to the present day. The word bracelet comes from the Greek word "brachile" which means "of the arm". In this article we are going to give an overview of the most popular styles of antique bracelets and vintage bracelets.
Bangles : Bangles have been popular since ancient time and can be made of metal, stone, wood, pottery or plastic ( known as bakelite ). These bracelets are round in shape and are rigid. Designed to slip over the hand and worn loose around the wrist. Bangles come in various sizes from wide and chunky to quite narrow. Narrow bangles are worn together on the wrist, creating a layered effect. Which produces a chiming sound as the wearer moves their arm.
Cuff Bracelets :The cuff bracelet is usually round or oval in shape and is rigid, typically being made of metal. But unlike the bangle the cuff bracelet has an opening. This allows the cuff bracelets to fit more snugly around the wrist than a bangle.
Tennis Bracelets : The tennis bracelet is a flexible metal chain, consisting of square or rectangular links. Into which is normally placed gemstones. These tennis or line bracelets as they are sometimes called. Were developed in the early 20th century and were very popular in the Art Deco period because of their linear shape. They are said to have acquired their name from Chris Evert who wore these line bracelets during her tennis matches.
Gemstone Bracelets : The term gemstone bracelet covers a very wide and varied style of bracelet. For example early Georgian bracelets were elegant and normally quite detailed. Typically been made from gold or silver and studded with precious gemstones. Were as Art Deco gemstone bracelets were typically made from white gold or platinum and strongly featured diamonds. A look that became know as "white on White", which was very popular especially for evening wear. Art Deco bracelets were also quite geometric in design. As we move into the Retro period (1940`s) we begin to see more chunky bold designs with an emphasis on semi-precious gems such as aquamarines, citrines and topaz. Yellow and rose gold also featured strongly in retro bracelets.
Charm Bracelets : Charm bracelets are essentially a chain bracelet, typically a curb chain made of gold or silver. To which charms are individually purchased and attached. These charms can be made from a host of different materials, from gold or silver to base metals and gemstones of any kind. Charms will normally hold a significant meaning for the wearer. Having been purchased or given to mark a special occasion. Charm bracelets were at the height of their popularity during the 1940`s and the 1950`s. Having been made popular by soldiers sending home trinkets of where they had been during world war 11.
Pearl Bracelets : Pearls the symbol of purity and innocence, have been worn as bracelets for thousands of years and remain just as popular today. They come in a vary of shapes from baroque to teardrop and to round, which is considered to be the most valuable. There are also different types of pearls from freshwater to tahitian which is normally black. To cultured southsea pearls which have a deep rich luster.
As with most other jewellery, bracelets have been worn since ancient times. With the earliest Egyptian bracelets dating back to 5,000 BC and the earliest Turkish bracelets dating back to 7,500 BC. Throughout history bracelets have been extremely popular and remain so to the present day. The word bracelet comes from the Greek word "brachile" which means "of the arm". In this article we are going to give an overview of the most popular styles of antique bracelets and vintage bracelets.
Bangles : Bangles have been popular since ancient time and can be made of metal, stone, wood, pottery or plastic ( known as bakelite ). These bracelets are round in shape and are rigid. Designed to slip over the hand and worn loose around the wrist. Bangles come in various sizes from wide and chunky to quite narrow. Narrow bangles are worn together on the wrist, creating a layered effect. Which produces a chiming sound as the wearer moves their arm.
Cuff Bracelets :The cuff bracelet is usually round or oval in shape and is rigid, typically being made of metal. But unlike the bangle the cuff bracelet has an opening. This allows the cuff bracelets to fit more snugly around the wrist than a bangle.
Tennis Bracelets : The tennis bracelet is a flexible metal chain, consisting of square or rectangular links. Into which is normally placed gemstones. These tennis or line bracelets as they are sometimes called. Were developed in the early 20th century and were very popular in the Art Deco period because of their linear shape. They are said to have acquired their name from Chris Evert who wore these line bracelets during her tennis matches.
Gemstone Bracelets : The term gemstone bracelet covers a very wide and varied style of bracelet. For example early Georgian bracelets were elegant and normally quite detailed. Typically been made from gold or silver and studded with precious gemstones. Were as Art Deco gemstone bracelets were typically made from white gold or platinum and strongly featured diamonds. A look that became know as "white on White", which was very popular especially for evening wear. Art Deco bracelets were also quite geometric in design. As we move into the Retro period (1940`s) we begin to see more chunky bold designs with an emphasis on semi-precious gems such as aquamarines, citrines and topaz. Yellow and rose gold also featured strongly in retro bracelets.
Charm Bracelets : Charm bracelets are essentially a chain bracelet, typically a curb chain made of gold or silver. To which charms are individually purchased and attached. These charms can be made from a host of different materials, from gold or silver to base metals and gemstones of any kind. Charms will normally hold a significant meaning for the wearer. Having been purchased or given to mark a special occasion. Charm bracelets were at the height of their popularity during the 1940`s and the 1950`s. Having been made popular by soldiers sending home trinkets of where they had been during world war 11.
Pearl Bracelets : Pearls the symbol of purity and innocence, have been worn as bracelets for thousands of years and remain just as popular today. They come in a vary of shapes from baroque to teardrop and to round, which is considered to be the most valuable. There are also different types of pearls from freshwater to tahitian which is normally black. To cultured southsea pearls which have a deep rich luster.
Chain Bracelets : Chain bracelets vary from a simple rolo chain to more complicated designs such as a snake chain. The most common chain bracelets are bead chain, rolo chain, byzantine, rope chain, snake chain, mesh chain, wheat chain and venetian chain.