Holiday Gift Guide Bracelets Gifts

174 items

The Village Council

Your answers straight from the village experts

+ - What makes a women’s bracelet eco-friendly?

Artisans the world over utilize the natural materials at their disposal to create beautiful, sustainable jewelry. Wood, bamboo and dried gourds. Coconut shells, rattan and terra-cotta. Even natural grasses lend themselves to a jeweler's creativity while art glass beads and pendants can be made from discarded bottles. Some artisans reclaim precious silver from photographic negatives. Colorful magazine pages can become tightly-rolled beads protected by a coat of varnish. Always creative, artists craft their bracelets out of innovative, eco-conscious materials.

+ - How do I know if my bracelet is handmade?

Handmade women's bracelets each have their own unique characteristics. Color, texture, size and design all vary. Often, the technique alone will tell you, for example, hand-knotted, braided or woven bracelets. Leather bracelets with cutout motifs or embossing are usually crafted by hand.Thai jewelry by Karen silversmiths shows hand-stamped geometric or floral motifs and beads are usually made of fine silver, which is more malleable than sterling. Similarly, filigree jewelry is a meticulous handcrafted process. Most bracelets with natural, sustainable or recycled materials are handmade. Even some of the most sophisticated and modern gold and silver may be signed by the artist who made it.The most common indicator that a bracelet is handmade is the detailed and intricate design. Novica artisans demonstrate their techniques in the many videos on www.novica.com youll find the links on their product descriptions and also on the artisan bio page.

+ - What bracelet-making techniques have been passed down through generations?

Traditional bracelet-making techniques have been passed down over generations around the world. Women's bracelets in gold and silver are usually crafted with the lost wax technique. The image is sculpted in wax and enveloped in a mold materia. As molten gold or silver is poured into the mold, the wax image melts and the metal takes its place. However coiling fine strands of metal results in Andean filigree jewelry. Balinese artistry applies polished spirals and tendrils as well as tiny globes known as jawan to sleek silver jewelry. And a few contemporary artisans even weave or crochet the slender silver strands.Jade was highly prized by the Maya and still has an important place in modern Guatemalan jewelry. Amber from the rich mines in southern Mexico adorns the women's bracelets, necklaces, and earrings of the area. Macrame and beading are popular everywhere for boho style. And West Africas handmade beadwork is renowned the world over.

+ - Do any women’s bracelets have particular cultural significance?

women's bracelets carried immense cultural significance in ancient times and they still do. In Perus pre-Hispanic societies, gold represented the sun, and jewelry indicated social status and identity, as it also did among the Maya of Mexico and Central America. In India, bangles or kangans showed a woman was married and are a part of the 16 adornments customarily worn by a Hindu bride. Traditional West African beads are a sign of cultural identity. Each one has a meaning and tells a story.Today, women's bracelets are still culturally significant. In India, jewelry often depicts religious symbols and meditative mantras. Balinese bracelets may also depict dragons, thought to be the protectors of the gods, or the Hindu Barong deity, also a protection symbol. Motifs stamped into Karen hill tribe silver encourage living in harmony with nature. The hand-knotted bracelets of Guatemala symbolize friendship but evolved from a silent protest for loved ones missing during the country's armed conflict. Today, friends each tie a bracelet on the others arm and make a wish. The bracelet is worn until it wears out and falls off so the wish will come true.

+ - What are the most popular materials to make women’s bracelets?

Silver, gold, brass and copper have been popular for thousands of years and are often set with colorful gemstones. Artisans in different regions of the world take advantage of unique local resources, such as Brazilian golden grass, leather and coconut shell from Thailand, and carved bone jewelry from Bali. Intricate openwork carving, known as jali, can be seen in bangles from India. West Africa has a long tradition of beadwork, with beautiful beads made from recycled glass and even plastic becoming popular in recent years.

Featured Reviews

Men's leather and sterling silver bracelet, 'Gone Fishing'

Kim

Sep 27, 2016

beautiful and solid

I am a fisher man and this bracelet lets folks know without saying a word, put it on 4 months ago and have not taken it off..Beautiful work

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Men's sterling silver pendant bracelet, 'Balinese Hero'

Linda

Nov 12, 2018

Far exceeds my expectations! Beautiful

My young adult grandson is going to flip over this spectacular silver bracelet. He can wear it now and forever because it doesn't give the look of a dated style. You can't believe the weight of the silver; it is done with so much artistry and I appreciate the artist for all his hard work and God given talent. THANK YOU NOVICA!!!!

Carved Bracelets

Country Bracelet

Mens Unique Bracelets!!

Solid Silver Bracelets

The Wonderful Information Booklet Is Valuable.

Pendant Jewelry

Link Jewelry

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Silver Jewelry

No Stone Jewelry

Bracelets

Glass beaded wrap bracelet, 'Cerro de la Cruz in Grey'

Lisa

Jul 5, 2019

Cristobal Ramirez Wrap Bracelet

This bracelet is so pretty and well crafted. I love wearing it, and I would love to have another. It's easy to put on and comfortable to wear. Shades are neutral and subtle but still colorful and lovely. I especially like the sparkle of the gold beads mixed in.

Boho Chic Style

Christian Bracelet

Christmas Bracelets For Her

Special

Featured Artist

Neeru Goel Sterling silver and gemstone jewelry

(2379)

"Collecting jewelry and gemstones has been my passion ever since childhood."

The artistry of Neeru Goel has been featured in Depth magazine.

"Hi! My name is Neeru Goel and I was born on September 19, 1960. I spent most of my childhood in Kolkata, a metropolis in West Bengal. Collecting... read more