People wear jewellery as a fashion accessory for both aesthetic and functional reasons and sometimes both!
In fact costume jewellery is the easiest and cheapest way to dress up an outdated, simple or plain
outfit, or to turn a stylish, trendy outfit into something truly outrageous and
flamboyant! Costume jewellery is an inexpensive way to add a fashion accessory
and can be designed to set off a particular fashion or style. It may be in the
form of a colorful and showy necklaces, bracelets, brooches, rings, or
earrings or it may just be a piece of an inexpensive fake gold chain or ring.
Expensive designer jewellery an also be worn as a fashion
accessory. It is also worn to depict a persons status symbol, or as a symbol of
cultural significance or religious statement. Wearing popular brands like
Tiffany or Rolex often makes a statement about who the person is or would like
to be.
Unlike costume jewellery which is often mass produced, designer
jewellery are pieces that are more exclusive, unique and imaginative. Designer
jewellery is a more creative and is often handcrafted by the artist himself. Because
of the uniqueness of designer jewellery, more expertise and creativity is required
in their manufacture. The designers and craftsmen put a great deal of effort
and love into the final product. Each piece is a work of art.
Designer jewellery is more likely to be made of precious
metals such as gold or silver and will consist of precious stones such as diamonds,
rubies or emerald as well as semi-precious stones such as amethysts and pearls.
Another style of jewellery worn as a fashion accessory is
hip hop jewellery. Hip hop jewellery is
usually big and over the top, and often studded with diamonds both real and
fake to give you the same custom designed look worn by top level, rappers and
pro athletes. Hip hop jewellery comes in
many shapes and forms and includes heavy
gold, silver or platinum chains, watches, pendants, rings, earrings, crosses,
cufflinks, belt buckles, jean chains and removable gold teeth grill.
From a functionality point of view, jewellery worn as a
fashion accessory can be used for the following purposes.
- Hairpins to keep hair in place. Hair pins can be plain and brownish in color to blend in with the hair and not be seen or decorative pieces of jewellery designed to add glamour to a hair style. Decorative hair pins are very popular with brides and are often worn instead of a veil.
- Brooches to keep clothing in place. Decorative brooches add a touch of class and sophistication to any outfit. Worn on the lapels of jackets or on dresses they made of semi precious gemstones or diamonds or any other precious jewel. Traditionally large pins have been used to keep a kilt in place by Scotsmen for centuries.
- Pins and medals are worn to indicate achievement or affiliation. Medals such as an Olympic Gold Medal or a nursing badge indicate outstanding sporting or academic achievement
- School, college or university emblems or badges are a symbol of belonging to an educational or sporting group.
- Tie pins are worn to keep a tie in position. Tie pins can be a simple or highly decorated piece of jewellery.
- Cuff links are worn to do up shirt sleeves together. They are usually worn more on formal social occasions such as weddings and balls. They can be funky, plain, or elaborate pieces made from gold and diamonds.
- Wristwatches or pocket watches are used as a time keeper. Simple quartz watches are relatively inexpensive and keep accurate time. Mechanical watches are less accurate time keepers but have incredible social significance. Branded watches such as Cartier, Rolex or Tag Heuer are very popular with men and women alike as a sign of affluence, status and social standing.
- Engagement rings are a mark of betrothal worn commonly by women and less often by men. Diamond rings are the most popular but almost any precious or semi-precious stone can make exquisite engagement rings.
- Wedding bands are worn by both men and women are used to be a sign that they are married. They can be plain or elaborately decorated to indicate social status.
- Some jewellery symbolise religion such as the Star of David for Jews; the Cross for Christians or Allah for Muslims
- Some cultural jewellery is worn as a sign of ethnic or racial identity, such as the Tiki in the Maori culture in New Zealand.
- Jewellery is also worn as a symbol of office for example mayoral chains or crowns and tiaras worn by kings and queens.
- Amulets and medals such as St Christopher medals are worn for protection
- Some artists create jewellery it to show off their artistic designs.
- Gold and diamonds and other precious stones are seen as a sign of prosperity and affluence
- People use jewels and gold for investment to store and protect wealth
- In some countries such as, India gold jewellery is given as a wedding dowry to give wealth to the bride.
- Jewellery, precious stones, gold and silver are traded as a currency to purchase goods
No matter what its purpose it is good to have a few exquisite
pieces of jewellery to wear to make you look beautiful and feel special. People
wear jewellery as an adornment and as a fashion accessory. Statement jewellery
such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets beautify an outfit and make a
statement about a person’s style. Wear jewellery as a fashion accessory as an easy way to dress to impress.
