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Bracelet

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A bracelet is a piece of jewelry worn around the wrist.

Gold charm bracelet
Gold charm bracelet

While many people wear them as beautiful ornaments, they serve many other purposes. Some bracelets hold charms, which are small pendants that represent interests or memories.

Other bracelets carry essential medical or identity information. For example, allergy bracelets or hospital identification tags help caregivers. Some people wear specific colors to show support for causes, like breast cancer awareness or LGBTQ pride. If a bracelet is a single, stiff loop, it is called a bangle.

Metal bangles
Metal bangles

If it is worn around the ankle, it is called an anklet.

There are many ways to construct these items. Beaded bracelets use a string or elastic to hold beads made of wood, plastic, or crystal.

Baltic amber bracelet with mix of colors
Baltic amber bracelet with mix of colors

Link bracelets are made by connecting various similar components or jewelry findings.

A penannular bracelet is an incomplete circle, often made from a single piece of flexible metal or plastic.

Ars Summum Tesoro Oxus brazalete
Ars Summum Tesoro Oxus brazalete

Some bracelets are made from elastic fabric called spandex. These are often printed with colorful, reversible designs. In the late 1980s, "slap bracelets" became a popular fad. These were flat, felt-covered metal strips that curved around the wrist when hit against it.

Bracelets have a very deep history. Egyptian jewelry dates back as far as 5000 BCE.

Hinged Cuff Bracelet MET 26.8.129 EGDP018036
Hinged Cuff Bracelet MET 26.8.129 EGDP018036

Early makers used materials like bone, stone, and wood. The scarab bracelet is a famous symbol from ancient Egypt. It represented rebirth and regeneration. This was linked to the god Khepri, who was believed to push the sun across the sky. In Siberia, archaeologists found a bracelet in the Denisova Cave.

Ars Summum Tesoro Oxus brazalete
Ars Summum Tesoro Oxus brazalete

This artifact was found near a bone from a Denisova hominin and was carbon dated to around 40,000 BP.

Many cultures use bracelets to express belief or tradition. In Bulgaria, people tie red and white strings to welcome spring. In Greece, the "Martis" tradition involves weaving red and white strings.

Metal bangles
Metal bangles

Greeks wear these until the end of summer to protect their skin from the sun. In India, the number and type of bangles a woman wears can denote her marital status. Glass bangles are common there. When worn in groups, they make a sound like wind chimes. In Sikhism, an iron bracelet is one of the five mandatory articles known as the Five Ks.

In Latin America, some wear Azabache bracelets for protection. These are gold bracelets with a black or red coral charm shaped like a fist. They are worn to protect against the "Mal de ojo," or evil eye. This is a belief that excessive admiration or envy from others can cause harm. People often have newborn babies wear these charms for safety. Other bracelets, like karma bracelets, are made of wood beads. Some manufacturers claim they bring good luck, though independent sources have not substantiated these claims.

Some bracelets are famous because of specific events. A tennis bracelet is a style made of many identical settings.

18K Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet
18K Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet

Each setting usually holds a gemstone, like a round diamond, in a claw setting. These links are often riveted or soldered to allow the bracelet to flex around the wrist. The name comes from tennis player Chris Evert. During the 1978 U.S. Open, her diamond bracelet fell onto the court. She famously said, "I dropped my tennis bracelet." Since then, the name has stuck.

Modern materials have also changed how bracelets are used. In 2003, the use of colored silicone rubber became popular through the Yellow Livestrong wristband.

SILICONE & STAINLESS STEEL ID BRACELET
SILICONE & STAINLESS STEEL ID BRACELET

This success turned silicone bracelets into a low-cost tool for charity and awareness campaigns. These are often called rubber wristbands or gel wristbands. They are similar to how people use awareness ribbons. For specialized activities like sport climbing, bracelets may even be made of climbing cords to serve as gear.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:Gold charm bracelet.JPG
Gold charm bracelet.JPG
File:Byzantine weave bracelet 31Oct2010 arp.jpg
Byzantine weave bracelet 31Oct2010 arp.jpg
File:Hinged Cuff Bracelet MET 26.8.129 EGDP018036.jpg
Hinged Cuff Bracelet MET 26.8.129 EGDP018036.jpg
File:Ars Summum Tesoro Oxus brazalete.JPG
Ars Summum Tesoro Oxus brazalete.JPG
File:Metal bangles.jpg
Metal bangles.jpg
File:Baltic amber bracelet with mix of colors.jpg
Baltic amber bracelet with mix of colors.jpg
File:Elastic-bracelet-from-zox.jpg
Elastic-bracelet-from-zox.jpg
File:Shadowkite-bracelet-lc.jpg
Shadowkite-bracelet-lc.jpg
File:SILICONE & STAINLESS STEEL ID BRACELET.jpg
SILICONE & STAINLESS STEEL ID BRACELET.jpg
File:18K Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet.jpg
18K Yellow Gold Tennis Bracelet.jpg
File:Zircon Bracelet.jpg
Zircon Bracelet.jpg
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