A Brief History Of The Wearing Of Necklaces For Women

People have worn jewellery ever since time began including necklaces

. Originally the word jewellery itself was anglicised from an old French word joule (jewel) but it does also date further back in history and is linked to the latin word plaything. Normally jewellery is made from only precious metals but in the past designers have utilised many other materials including wood, rock and even cloth however silver is still the most common. Throughout time necklaces became more and more elaborate as crafts men developed their skills. The plain and simple evolved into differing styles for men and women.

As necklaces were adapted into newer designs there meaning also changed for some people. Some wore them in battle for good luck whilst others used them to warn off evil spirits. A good modern day example of a potent symbol used in jewellery these days would that of the crucifix. Other examples that are used in religion are amulets which again are hung on a chain around the neck. Finally a heart shaped necklace known as a locket can also be looked upon as a symbol of love.

There are three types of necklaces available. The traditional necklace is a single threaded beaded piece or a chain. Men's necklaces are usually just a chain for example. A pendant is another type of necklace that hangs from a chain or something like a leather thong which is an alternative option to consider. Finally a choker is a wider piece of jewellery and sits tighter around the upper part of the neck.

The most unusual necklaces in the history of mankind must be those that were worn by the Pa Dong Long Neck tribe from Burma. Children were made to wear hoops from an early age around there necks. As the child grew more rings were added until when reaching adult age as many as 28 rings were worn in one go. The rings around the neck give the illusion that the neck is getting longer and stretching. In fact what is really happening is the collar bones are being weighed down over time, forcing them to lower hence more neck length. The women who wear the rings do get to remove them but only on their wedding night. It is hard to imagine the discomfort in this procedure but much neck washing is required. They are then slipped back around the neck after the wedding night is over to remain for the rest of their lives. This is partly due to the neck muscles not being strong enough to support their heads anymore.

It was not only in Burma that the practice of hoop ring around the neck was practised but also in Africa too. The women here were called giraffe women due to the elongated necks they now had. The hoops were worn around not just there necks but also there arms and legs. The brass rings would symbolise her devotion to her husband. It was the responsibility of the husband to provide the rings which also reflected his wealth with more he provided. The rings were only removed after his death as the rings symbolised a bond which was now broken. The practice of wearing brass rings in this way is now dying out as the modern tribes prefer to wear the more usual type of necklaces.

by: John Lewis

POST COMMENT

Gold Panning And Prospecting Jewelry For Teen Agers Gold - The Refined Metal Now Is The Time For Gold Men Buying Jewellery Gifts For Women With Gold Bullions, You Have To Get In And Get Out Proofing Tools 2008 - Golden Tip ! Why Private Gold Coins Are Less Volatile Than Confiscable Ones Why Pre-1933 Gold And Silver Coins Have Outperformed Modern Bullions The Volatility Of The Gold Bullion The Results Are In: Pre-1933 Gold And Silver Coins Are Worth Much More Than Modern Bullions Private Gold Coins Have A Proven Track Record Silver Brooches To Adorn Outfit