Difference Between Bangles and Bracelets

Most common in terms of Fashion Accessories are Bangles and Bracelets. But wait, is there any difference at all between these two? Most of the time, people make the mistake of interchanging the use of these two words. Etymologically speaking, “bracelet” and “bangle” are entirely different terms. Bangle actually came from the Hindu word bangri that means “ring shaped anklet or bracelet.” On the other hand, bracelet came from brachialle, a term in Middle French that means “armlet.”

With their dissimilar linguistic roots, these two terms approximate varied regional origins of these adornments. Of the two terms, bracelet seems to be more generic when it comes to definition, for this encompasses all things that are being worn on a person’s arm, although usually, it is worn on one’s wrist. In contrast, bangle is more of like fixed in form, which is being ring-shaped. Therefore, the very essential distinction that can be solicited is the fact that bangles should be shaped like a ring, which means that they must always be solid and circular while the bracelets can actually be flexible.

But aside from this, bangles imply a kind of musicality which is not offered by bracelets. In the culture of Hindus or in variations of the Western world, several bangles can actually be worn all at the same time. Here, the bangles usually hit against each other, which produce a very lovely percussive sound. This might actually be the explanation behind the term bangle’s onomatopoeic quality. The fact that a bangle is essentially solid dictates that one must be created from a limited array of compact materials. This is the reason why you will encounter gold, silver and wooden bangles.

On the other hand, this is also the rationally behind the fact that bracelets are being made from a bigger range of different materials. You can find bracelets made from hemp, leather, cotton as well as gold and silver.

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Wildlife Inspired Pieces of Fashion Jewelry

Nature and wildlife is now the favorite of many fashion and jewellery designers, as more and more jewellery pieces are taking inspirations from the natural resources of the earth. As media becomes more nature-inspired and eco-conscious, so does the jewellery world. Each season, a new plant or animals seems to be added to the fine lines of jewellery. Some of them even resemble the themes from North America while some even take modern versions from those themes during the movement of Art Nouveau.

Whether it has taken inspiration from something as big as an elephant or as small as a worm, the rationale behind the popularity of wildlife inspired jewellery is attributed much to the delivery’s originality instead of the message itself. The snake and owl are practically everywhere, and so are the leaf and twig designs, especially when you have them dangling from both your ears and make them encircle your wrist.

There are already several companies that have taken one step further and opted to use earth friendly metals. As more and more people are becoming aware of the destructions suffered by the earth, such companies decided to go against the aggressive practices used in mining metals and stones. When using wildlife inspired jewellery, the meanings of such figures are usually aesthetic and personal. Even if the designs commonly have the touch and feel of Art Nouveau, jewellery designers still have their own stories on how they came up with such designs.

Using materials that are inspired by the North Americans such as turquoise and feathers has already become mainstream these days in many jewellery shops. Although some of the precious stones and symbol do have more than superficial meanings, others are being used mainly for the aesthetic beauty that they have.

Modern designers from North America are actually influenced by the processes that are eco-friendly as well as the natural themes of the wildlife, not only in jewellery but in fashion as a whole. Pat Pruitt, for example, used stingray skin in making the belt buckle. Meanwhile, deer antler parts and fashioned stones were used by Mike Bird Romero in coming up with several designs that he has created.

Most of these wildlife inspired jewellery are actually the fruits of the travels that were usually taken by many jewellery designers. More often than not, their muses are actually what they see during these travels which are actually wildlife most of the time. Snake bangles are good examples of these wildlife inspired jewellery pieces that has sustained the popularity that they had ten years ago.

Truly, the jewellery pieces that have taken inspiration from the wildlife have become really popular among all jewellery lovers. But aside from their beauty, let us not forget that they also serve as a great reminder that nature itself is wonderful on its own and this beauty must be taken care of by all means. In a way, using wildlife inspired pieces of jewellery is a way of opening the eyes of people that the wildlife is something that needs to be cherished.

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