Men's Cityscape

Global artisans use all sorts of materials in their handcrafted jewelry for men. In the Andes, sterling silver, leather, and combinations of natural stones are frequently used. In Bali, silver, gold, bone, wood, brass, and stainless copper adorn handmade jewelry. In West Africa, men's jewelry honors the cow, where bone and horns are incorporated into unique pieces.

Traditional artisans handcraft jewelry using the techniques and materials of their ancestors. In Indonesia, the most common mens bracelet is made from Akar Baharnatural, or black, coral. In the Andes, sterling silver, leather, waxed cotton threads, or natural stones adorn handmade jewelry. In Central America, the list includes: gold, brass, cord, wood, or glass. West Africa also makes use of these materials, plus wooden beads. And India incorporates gemstones into its rich history of jewelry.

Excellent question! There is no simple test that can tell you whether an artisan hand-crafted your jewelry or not. No easy way to know if an item is handmade or factory-produced. But there are details that you can look out for, and hopefully a discerning eye will guide you right. First, look at materials. If a bracelet is made of leather with embossed detailing, or sterling silver with intricate carvings or stone settings, you are entering the realm of the handmade. If a bracelet is made from bone, or makes use of complicated beadwork, if there is evidence of welding or carving, then you can feel good about your purchase. Any true artisan will tell you: no two pieces of jewelry will come out identical if they are made by hand. Beware of sameness. Celebrate the idiosyncrasies of the artists hand and help preserve the techniques and traditions of the past.

Since time immemorial, jewelry has been used as a personal ornament, religious signification, or tastes in fashion. Today's handcrafted artisan jewelry is no different. In West Africa, leather is prized by certain tribes and connotes a connection to culture. In Indonesia, black coral, or Akar Bahar, is believed to protect the wearer from witchcraft and evil, and so it is used in many jewelry items for men. In Peru, leaders adorned themselves with garments that were exclusive to their rank, so men's jewelry not only indicated their function, but was also steeped in iconography, religious code, and emblems of power and prestige. In India, artisan jewelry incorporates the motifs of Om, a spiritual symbol signifying the essence of consciousness, and Lord Ganesha, the god of beginnings who is honored at the start of rites and ceremonies. Today, artisans working in these classical styles preserve the heritage that was passed down to them over time.

To understand the significance of traditional, handcrafted men's rings, we need to talk about stones. All over the world, stones reveal deep cultural connections to the land, belief systems, and aspirations. In Peru, artisan jewelry makes use of chrysocolla (also known as "Peruvian turquoise"), which was used by the Incas as an inlay in their goldwork. They believed it calmed their emotions and strengthened their immune defenses because it had medicinal powers. In Bali, kecubung (Amethyst) is incorporated into handmade rings because it brings peace to those who wear it. Kalimaya (Opal) is believed to stabilize the mental well-being of the wearer. In Guatemala, jade is the stone of choice, as the Mayans attributed special powers to it, believing it symbolized life, fertility, and power. In India, onyx is a stone of vigor and stamina, which strengthens self-confidence, banishes grief, and stimulates wise decision-making. Lapis lazuli relieves anger and negative thoughts and eases frustrations. Tigers eye stone aids harmony and balance and helps release fear and anxiety. The list of unique stones is as long as the master craftspeople who use them in their traditional jewelry.

From wedding rings to religious symbols, men's rings have carried tremendous significance throughout history. In West Africa, rings were originally used to represent God's unmatched power and the authority of mankind on earth. In India, handcrafted rings have been used to symbolize everything from devotion and fidelity to eternity and belief in a deity. Today, like in many cultures, Indian rings represent love, engagement and marriage. Pre-Hispanic cultures in Central America and South America used handmade jewelry to denote social position, rank, as well as personal adornment. Metal, bone, shell, and stoneparticularly jadewere chosen for beauty and durability. Even the choice of metal has meaning in particular cultures. The Incas, for example, believed that gold was a sacred metal sent by the sun god, Inti, and all mines belonged to the emperor, who protected his metals with great zeal.

Men have worn rings since ancient times as a personal ornament, a sign of social position, official rank, or a symbol of religious beliefs. Handmade jewelry may reflect changes in fashion, but it remains rooted in the history and culture of a people and place. Each unique ring reveals the artistic sensibility of its maker, yet certain symbols and motifs appear frequently. In India, the Om motif has special cultural significance as a sacred spiritual symbol. It signifies ultimate reality, or consciousness. In Bali, the Om Kara, or Ongkara, represents five elements: wind, fire, ether, water, air, and earth, which correspond to different aspects of the human body. Religion and mythology are also manifest in traditional jewelry. Lord Ganesha, one of the most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon, is revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the god of intellect and wisdom. In Bali, Barong is a lion-like mythical creature that symbolizes victory and spiritual protection. These symbols and others can be found on handmade rings from around the world and are ways of honoring history, culture, and spirituality.

More than a mere fashion statement, men's jewelry, including bracelets, have been worn throughout history to communicate cultural, religious, and social beliefs. Prehistoric man adorned his wrists with bones and shells to ward off evil spirits. Wealthy men wore bracelets made of gold and silver to display their power and status. Bracelets evolved over time from good luck charms to status symbols to modern style accessories. All the while, they pick up and preserve meaning from the past. In Peru, gold and silver bracelets were meant to complement each other symbolically. Gold represented the sun, the day, and the masculine. Silver represented the moon, the night, and the feminine. These two bright, powerful metals held one another in balance. In Central America, natural materials decorated men's jewelry to signify a connection to place. Metals, bone, shells, bird feathers (especially the beautiful quetzal bird), and carved stones (particularly jade for its power of fertility and life) protected and decorated the wearer.

Many traditional artisans employ the handcrafted techniques of their ancestors, which favored a slow, methodical approach in a small workshop, as opposed to mass production. Today, they preserve these methodologies while intentionally distinguishing their approaches from those of large factories. Respect for the environment, and for animal and human life drive the artwork itself. Natural materials are often a sign that a product is eco-friendly. Additionally, many artisans look for ways to reuse or recycle in their artwork. Some choose to repurpose old wood or fabric. Some recycle glass beads or up-cycle plastic and discarded paper. Others follow practices that conserve resources, like water and energy, and are mindful of the pollutants they release into the environment. Shopping from organizations that promote eco-friendly products is the best way to ensure that you are receiving a unique item that does not damage the world through its making.

Handcrafted mens jewelry captures our undying passion for symbols and meaning through a variety of designs, emblems, and carvings. In ancient Peru, men wore necklaces adorned with pendants of human, animal, and divine characters. A common symbol that has withstood the test of time is the Andean Chakana, or the staggered cross, that attests to the relationship between humankind and the cosmos. In Bali, mens jewelry integrated the cross, the sign of freedom, and Ongkara symbol for oneness and spirituality. In Central America, carved glyphs were commonly used. Animal figures and bird feathers (like the quetzal and macaw) had special significance, as did natural stones. In India, Om and Ganesha symbols are used for protection, prosperity and purity. In West Africa, Gye nyame, symbolizing Gods deep power and infinite knowledge, is still used on necklaces.