Bangles are one of the earliest forms of jewelry and have been used by men and
women alike for centuries. Archaeologists have found evidence pointing to their
existence over 4000 years ago in South Asia. During these years, bangles have
reappeared time and time again in slightly different motifs but have always
retained their simple, basic design. Today, whether simple or ornate, bangles
still possess strong religious and cultural symbolism in some parts of the
world. They are also ideal gifts that can be handed down through a family as
heirloom items. So choosing a good bangle can mean a lot. Below are some
aspects you need to put under consideration when buying a bangle.
The young, cool models wear
fun, colorful, plastic versions with their T- shirts and Converse shoes.
Actresses often choose to wear a pile of thin gold ones as their armor on the
red carpet. And the “It” girls go for funky ethnic styles from India and
Africa. Bangles are a style staple that
let a girl play around. They are available in an array of precious and
nonprecious materials. You can find them in Saks or on the street. They can be
extremely plain or intricately decorated. Bright and bold, or more classic and
traditional. It all depends on your style. Try out different versions. Mix the wood with the silver. See what
works for you. Your bangles are your bells, announcing your stylish arrival.
Types
of Bangles Jewelry
There
are two basic types of bangles: a solid
cylinder type; and a split,
cylindrical spring opening/closing type. The primary distinguishing factor
between these is the material used to
make the bangles. This may vary from anything from glass to jade to metal to lac
and even rubber or plastic.
One
factor that adds to the price of the bangles is the artifacts or the work done
further on the metal. This includes embroidery or small glass pieces or
paintings or even small hangings that are attached to the bangles. The rareness of a color and its unique
value also increase the value. Bangles made from lac are one of the oldest ones
and among the brittle category too. Lac
is clay like material which is molded in hot kilns-like places to make these
bangles. Among the recent entrants are the rubber bangles that are worn more
like a wrist band by youngsters while the plastic ones are there to add a
trendy look.
Normally,
a bangle worn by people around the world is simply an inflexible piece of
jewelry worn around the wrist. However, in many cultures, especially in the
South Asia and in Arabian Peninsula, bangles have evolved into various types in
which different ones are used at different occasions.
How to Choose Fashionable Bangles
Rare
vintage Bakelite bangles: Bakelite
is a very rare, very beautiful material produced in the 1920s and ‘30s, but is
no longer manufactured. Check out Mark Davis or scour the vintage shops.
Hermès enamel bangles: The iconic bangle,
which comes in a variety of designs. Great when stacked together or mixed with
other colors.
Alexis
Bittar: Designer who makes beautiful Lucite
bangles.
Bangles are Arm Candies
For the bold, wear big designs from wrist to elbow, as
Nancy Cunard (Nancy Cunard in bangles) famously did.
For glamour, wear an armload of thin eighteen-carat
gold bracelets à la Carolina Herrera, who is known for wearing at least ten at
a time. You should stick to no less than
six. Mix inexpensive and real if you’d like. It’s good to go vintage here.
For fun, look for odd-colored Bakelite from the flea
market or cheap Indian bangles.
For a little glitz, thin bangles of small pavé diamonds add fun and
sparkle.
What are Bakelite Bangles?
Bakelite is a very rare material that is no longer made. It was the
precursor to plastic, was almost indestructible, could easily imitate other
materials (ivory, tortoiseshell, coral), and could be dyed almost any color. It
was used from the 1920s through the 1950s to make everything from telephone
handsets to radios to buttons to costume jewelry. Bakelite jewelry pieces
became popular in the ‘20s and gained momentum as the Depression deepened and
buying expensive jewelry was out of the question. Women wore colorful Bakelite
bangles to add color and a bit of fun to an otherwise drab period. Icons like Diana
Vreeland and Elsa Schiaparelli were fans of the bangles and helped to
contribute to the popularity of the jewelry. When World War II began,
production of Bakelite ground to a halt, since factories were used to make war
materials only. By the time the war was over, cheaper plastics had been
developed and very little of the material was produced. The golden age of
Bakelite had ended. Today, costume
jewelry made out of Bakelite is highly collectible.
The most sought-after colors include:
1) Butterscotch, a golden
yellow, which was produced only during the ‘30s.
2) “END OF DAY,” a blend of three or more contrasting colors, which
were put together in the factory at the end of the day with all of the leftover
materials.
3) Stardust, transparent
with specks of gold, which disappeared after the1930s.
Major
Producers of Bangles
1) Hyderabad, India
has a historic world famous market for bangles named Laad Bazaar.
2) Glass bangles are mostly produced in
the old Indian city of Firozabad in North India.
3) Pakistan glass
bangles are produced mainly in Hyderabad,
Pakistan.
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