Posted by Ceca on Nov 15, 2011 in Jewelry |

Costume jewellery has been part of the culture for almost 3 centuries. In the 18th century craftsmen started creating and making cheap jewellery made with glass to resemble some precious jewellery items that were worn by noble class. During the 19th century, jewellery craftsmen started using semi precious materials to create costume jewellery and those items were affordable for the common people.

Anyhow,  the golden era of costume jewellery is the 20th century. Middle class people wanted to have their own beautiful and fashionable, but affordable jewellery. Industrial revolution made their dreams true, because it was possible to produce some replicas of beautiful and admired jewellery pieces.Even though a lot of people think that machine has spoiled the beauty and rarity of the hand-made costume jewellery, the fact is that industrial revolution has made trendy jewellery items more affordable and has enable industrial companies to produce enough of these jewellery pieces to satisfy desires and requirements of millions of women from every part of the world. In fact, nowadays there are many successful wholesale jewellery companies all around the world.

Posted by Ceca on Nov 15, 2011 in Jewelry |

Beautiful charm bracelets are jewellery items that are worn around the wrist and they carry personal “charms” or decorative and beautiful pendants or trinkets that present important things in the life of the wearer. It is believed that wearing charm bracelets have a long history and that they were at first made and worn as a form of amulet to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. In the beginning they were made of animal-bones, clay, shells and later gems, rocks and wood were also used.

In ancient Egypt charm bracelets were used as symbols of faith and luck and to identify a person to the gods in the afterlife. While Christianity was banned religion during the Roman Empire, Christians used fish charms hidden in their clothing to identify amongst themselves. Medieval knights wore charm bracelets  for protection in battle and in this period of history those charms were worn to represent family origin, religious and political convictions.