Bracelet

Origin and Cultural Significance

• The term 'bracelet' comes from the Greek word 'brachile' meaning 'of the arm.'
• Bracelets have been worn since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Egypt and the Achaemenid period.
• Bracelets can also be referred to as 'armlets' or 'bracers.'
• Some bracelets have a supportive function and hold other decorative items, such as charms.
• Bracelets can be made from various materials, including metal, leather, cloth, plastic, beads, and more.
• Egyptian bracelets have a long history, dating back to 5000 BCE, and were often made with materials like bones, stones, and woods.
• The scarab bracelet was a symbol of rebirth and regeneration in ancient Egypt.
• Different cultures have traditions involving bracelets, such as the Bulgarian 'martenitsa' and the Greek 'Martis,' both associated with the arrival of spring.
• In some parts of India, the number and type of bangles worn by a woman indicate her marital status.
• Sikhism mandates the wearing of an iron bracelet as one of the Five Ks.

Types of Bracelets

• Alternative health bracelets claim to have beneficial functions, such as ionized bracelets, karma bracelets, and magnetic bracelets.
• Bangles are hard, rigid bracelets made from materials like metal, wood, or plastic.
• Beaded bracelets are made from loose beads connected by a string or elastic band.
• Charm bracelets carry personal charms that represent important things, interests, or memories in the wearer's life.
• Link bracelets are made by connecting or linking various components or jewelry findings.
• Penannular bracelets are made in a single piece of slightly flexible material, often gold, and form an incomplete circle.
• Colored silicone rubber bracelets became popular for sports campaigns, starting with the Yellow Livestrong wristband by Nike and Lance Armstrong.
• Silicone bracelets are used for various awareness, information, and charity campaigns.
• They are also known as baller id bands, baller bands, or wristbands.
• Rubber wristbands and gel wristbands are alternative names for silicone bracelets.
• Bracelets designed for sport climbing use climbing cords (dynamic rope) as part of the bracelet's construction.

History of Tennis Bracelets

• The term 'tennis bracelet' originated from an incident involving tennis player Chris Evert in 1978.
• Before this incident, the term 'tennis bracelet' appeared in print but not necessarily referring to diamond line bracelets.
• An advertisement for a sterling tennis bracelet in The New Yorker in 1975 featured a different design, not diamonds.
• Tennis bracelets are made up of identical settings with hinges, allowing flexibility around the wrist.
• The links of a tennis bracelet are usually riveted or soldered to ensure minimal movement left-to-right.
• Tennis bracelets feature round diamonds set in four claw settings.
• The bracelet can be adjusted to fit the wearer by removing links, which must be done by a jeweler.
• The design incorporates many identical settings, each with a hinge for flexibility.
• The bracelet allows minimal movement left-to-right on the wrist.
• The diamonds in a tennis bracelet are typically round in shape.

Sports Bracelets

• Colored silicone rubber bracelets became popular for sports campaigns, starting with the Yellow Livestrong wristband by Nike and Lance Armstrong.
• Silicone bracelets are used for various awareness, information, and charity campaigns.
• They are also known as baller id bands, baller bands, or wristbands.
• Rubber wristbands and gel wristbands are alternative names for silicone bracelets.
• Bracelets designed for sport climbing use climbing cords (dynamic rope) as part of the bracelet's construction.

Related Jewelry and Accessories

• Anklet
• Armband
• Brace (armor)
• Friendship bracelet
• List of topics characterized as pseudoscience (bracelets with health/healing/performance benefits)

Bracelet Mentions

Bracelet Data Sources