History of Bracelets

The earliest known bracelets hark back to 2500 BC, worn by the ancient Sumerians of Southern Mesopotamia. Bracelets, along with other jewelry like anklets, earrings, necklaces, and rings, were worn by the women to show off the wealth of their husbands. As such, they were a symbol of status – much like some jewelry is to this day. They often had religious connotations in addition to the perception of wealth and adornment. Bracelets were enjoyed for many centuries after this time but emerged as highly coveted pieces of jewelry in Ancient Egypt in 2000 BC.

However, bracelets became increasingly popular with men during Grecian times – soldiers wore defensive bands of leather often decorated with gold, silver, and other gemstones on their forearms. They were called Bracels, from the Latin term for arm, “Brachium”. The Grecian women realized that these accessories would look good on them, so they began wearing smaller versions – called Bracel-ets. The idea took favor and the fashion spread far and wide.

The history of bracelets spans ages, reaching up to the present time. They have been crafted from different materials, and have always been popular – bracelets have varied according to dress styles and, of course,dictated by fashion. Bracelets are worn by men and women alike today, and bracelets today are not only of traditional materials, but also of acrylics and modern plastics. They make for trendy, unique items of jewelry. Some bracelets are also crafted from metals like titanium and zirconium, which have become popular because of their lightness and hypoallergenic properties. By Eric Hartwell