Bracelet

Sarmatian bracelets from the Hermitage Museum.A bracelet is an article of clothing or jewelry which is worn around the wrist. Bracelets can be manufactured from cloth or metal, and sometimes contain rocks, wood, and/or shells. Bracelets are also used for medical and identification purposes, such as allergy bracelets and hospital tags. In the late 1980s, "snap bracelets" -- felt-covered metal bracelets that curved around one's wrist when gently hit against it -- were a popular fad.

A bracelet is a piece of jewelry that's designed to adorn the wrist or, occasionally, another part of the arm. A bracelet, like a necklace, can be made of almost any material, but traditionally they are made of metal and adorned with decorative elements of precious stones or other beads. A bracelet can be made of leather, cloth, wood, shell, or various synthetic materials (such as the "awareness" bracelets seen today to show support for various medical causes). Bracelets are often used for medical purposes, to indicate sensitivities or allergies in case of emergencies. Over the years, some fads in costume jewelry have been bracelet-oriented, such as the rubber bangles that Madonna had made popular in the mid-1980s or the "snap bracelets" of the late 1980s. Charm bracelets, perennial favorites in which small pendants are affixed to a bracelet of generally plain design, reached their peak in the 1950s but have never really faded away. Devotees of this style often hunt for vintage charms and charm bracelets.

The 1980s brought one style of bracelet to prominence that has never receded, which is the tennis bracelet. This is a thin, single-rowed design where a line of diamonds is set closely along a metal backing. Legend has it that in 1987, tennis champion Chris Evert was playing in the U.S. Open wearing a diamond bracelet of this design. It broke while she was playing and the game was stopped long enough for Ms. Evert to find her valuable diamonds. After that newsworthy event, the design was called the "tennis bracelet" and became immensely popular. Tennis bracelets have become something of a classic design. They are very popular, and of course remain popular among tennis stars of today, including Serena Williams and Gabriela Sabatini.

Occasionally one sees a woman wearing a design like a bracelet but on the upper arm. These pieces of jewelry are called arm rings, armlets, or armbands. In ancient civilizations, they were usually designed to be worn by men, but over time they have become a more feminine accessory. These tend to be made of metal and often have elaborate stone settings as embellishment. They fit snugly on the arm, in contrast to bracelets, which can dangle loosely from the wrist or fit tightly depending on the design and the wearer's wish.

A bracelet is a lovely accessory; it draws attention to beautiful arms and hands. As a woman moves and gesticulates, the bracelet draws the eye of those nearby, so that both the wearer and those near her may enjoy the design of a particularly fine piece of jewelry.