Bracelet

Bracelet is a piece of jewellery that is worn on the wrist and is made of various materials such as leather, cloth or metal and may contain rocks, wood or shells. The material of any bracelet is the key factor in deciding the cost of the product. For example, a bracelet made of gold and diamond will cost much more than a plastic bracelet. Some bracelets also have medical significance such as allergy bracelets or bracelets used in hospitals for identification. The word bracelet originated from the Latin 'brachile' meaning 'of the arm', which was later adopted in the Old French 'barcel'. There are bracelets that are especially designed for cultural significance. Azabache Bracelets worn in Latin America are believed to offer protection from the evil eye i.e. excessive admiration or envious looks by others.

Martenitsa, a tradition that persists in Bulgaria, involves wearing a red and white string bracelet, inviting the spring to come soon. Bangles, a type of bracelet, are worn in some parts of India denoting the marital status. Other types of bracelets include a sports bracelet, tennis bracelet, charm bracelet and snap bracelet. Sport bracelets are made from silicone rubber and are also known as awareness bracelets since they are low cost tools for various information and charity campaigns. The concept of a sports bracelet was popularised by Nike and Lance Armstrong. Tennis bracelets are in-line thin diamond flexible bracelets that systematically follow a motif through the wrist length. A charm bracelet has various patterns and decorative items that often dangle from the bracelet. These are often the patterns that signify the wearer’s life.

Snap bracelets were one of the most popular bracelets during the 1980s. These were flat, felt-covered metal strips. These would gently cover the wrist when hit against it.