The Various Types of Jewelry

When it comes to adorning our bodies with jewelry, you will be happy to know there are many different types of jewelry that can adorn our body from the top of head to the tip of our toes. As we begin to look at the various types of jewelry lets start at the top with jewelry for the head.

Jewelry for the Head

Of course, the first thing you think of is a crown. Queens, kings, or Monarchs usually wear these as a show of status. However, crowns are given in beauty pageants and then there are tiara’s that are often worn for weddings and parties.

Jewelry for the Hair

The most common jewelry worn in the hair is hairpins or even barrettes. These are commonly used to hold hair in place as in ancient Greece when hairpins were created with metal to secure those elaborate hairstyles. Hairpins are normally long straight pins that are placed in various places to keep the hair in one location, however, today; barrettes are used most of the time. Barrettes are basically used in the same way to hold hair in place; however, they are also used for decoration purposes.

Jewelry for the Ears

Earrings are the most popular type of jewelry for wearing on the ears; however, there is not just one type of earring available. Earrings are now worn by both men and women alike which is more than likely worn in the way of a piercing where a piercing in made through the earlobe of the ear. However, today you can find piercings through various areas of the ear such as cartilage piercings, not just the earlobe.

Earrings are created with a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, glass, gems, or beads. There are two main types of earrings, which are posts and wires.

* Stud earrings are those where you can only see the gem on the earlobe.

* Hoop earrings are circular or semi-circular and look like a ring.

* Dangle earrings are ones that flow down from the earlobe in various lengths.

* Ear thread is a chain that is small enough to go through the hole on the earlobe.

* Ear needles are plastic sticks that fit in the ear piercing.

Jewelry for the Nose

Jewelry for the nose was very popular during ancient times and still is in many cultures. Today, these piercings are coming back fast and furious with one nostril being adorned with a small gem.

Jewelry for the Neck

Necklaces may be among the most popular type of jewelry other than rings. Necklaces are worn around the neck, which are created with various types of metal such as gold or sterling silver. Commonly there are gems, beads, pendants, or lockets that can be placed on the chain.

Types of necklaces can include:

Choker: A choker is between 14 inches and 16 inches long. Chokers are up close to the base of the neck and normally fit tightly.

Princess Necklace: A princess necklace is 18 inches long.

Matinee Necklace: A matinee necklace is 22 inches to 23 inches long. It should reach the top of the cleavage.

Opera Necklace: An opera necklace is 30 inches to 36 inches long. It should reach the top of the breastbone.

Sautoir: A sautoir or commonly called rope necklace is any necklace that is longer than opera length.

Dog Collar: A dog collar necklace consists of multiple strands of beads or pearls that lay close to the base of the neck.

Bib Necklace: A bib necklace is multiple strands of beads or pearls that lay against the chest similar to that of a bib.

Jewelry for the Arms

Jewelry for the upper arm is known as arm ring, armlet, or armband. The majority of the time these bands are made from precious metal that can be adorned with gems. It is close to the same idea as a bangle or bracelet only that it fits snuggly against the arm and does not slip.

A bracelet is jewelry for the arm that is worn around the wrist. These can be created with all types of materials such as metal, leather, or cloth many times adorned with gems, rocks, wood, or shells. There are various types of bracelets such as sports bracelets, tennis bracelets, charm bracelets, and bangles.

Cuff links are jewelry that is used to adorn the cuffs of shirts or blouses. The cuff link is attached through the buttonhole on the cuff of the clothing item.

Jewelry for the Hands

Of course, jewelry for the hands is rings. There are many different types of rings created usually with precious metals and can be adorned with gems or stones.

Friendship ring is a ring that has a small stone that is given as a sign of everlasting friendship.

A championship rings is a ring that is given to members of a winning sports team such as state championships rings.

A class ring is worn by students to commemorate the time they spent in high school, college, or university.

An engagement ring is traditionally worn by a woman that is engaged to be married in Western culture. The ring is worn on the left hand. In Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, and Germany, both the man and the woman wear engagement rings.

A promise ring is a ring that is given as a sign of a commitment usually with the promise of marriage prior to the engagement.

A wedding ring is worn on the left ring finger in the US and the UK in some countries such as Bulgaria, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Germany the wedding ring is worn on the right ring finger. The wedding ring symbolizes marriage.

Jewelry for the Legs and Feet

When it comes to jewelry for the legs you will find such items as an anklet, ankle chain or ankle bracelet. These are normally chains created with metals adorned with gems.

For the feet you will find the popular toe ring. Toe rings can be worn on either foot and on any toe. They are created from precious metals and can also be adorned with gems.