What Your Jewelry Says About You

Jewelry is all about identity.

After all, we select the piece before buying it. We select the item you are going to wear . We have jewelry that is for everyday. We have items that are for special occasions Some items acknowledge our part in the group, like class rings, or sorority pins. Jewelry can mark event in our lives, within society like wedding rings or anniversary rings, or retirement watches. It ‘s all about ourselves and how we perceive ourselves, both as unique being, as how we perceive our role in society.

However, we are all not the same in that group. So jewelry is also a form of personal identity, as well as a symbol of status and rank within the group.

When people wear the same mass produced item that is seen everywhere, it says that they do not have the status or that you lack the self confidence to express who you are. It demonstrates a level insecurity, and discomfort within their own skins, trying not to be noticed either for good or ill. Those motivations may be due to income, psychology, or even race. Conformity means denying self A person who only wears what is common announces that they do not have the status to be themselves.

Chains symbolize bondage. Doesn’t matter if they’re made of iron or gold. That’s why I don’t use chain in my jewelry

Wearing beads tells a different story about the person.

Traditionally, certain beads have been ascribed to different functions. Evil eye beads are worn for protection from evil and to promote good fortune. The oldest beads were for protection. Before the invention of glass, beads were made from agate, a relatively easy stone to carve and shape. The hole in the center of the bead was just so that it could be strung for wearing. The aperture symbolized the iris, looking out and protecting the wearer.

Other beads have been used for mnemonic purposes, like rosary beads, remembering which prayers or incantations are to be done in what order. Others were used as a means of inventory control, and counting, like an abacus.

So what else do beads mean?

Beads have always been a sign of status. Beads are very labor intensive to make. So they have always been valuable. Gemstones are not easy to acquire. They may have to be mined.. Then the rough has to carved (shaped), and drilled in order to be strung and worn. Over the years, gemstones have different powers attributed to them, and are coveted for reasons of belief, as well as for color preference. And of course, the harder it is to get, and work, the more valuable.

And some colors are more highly prized than others. Traditionally, many cultures revere red beads and stones as symbols of the life force and/or blood. And just for the record, red glass is the most expensive color to make. It requires dissolving gold into the glass! Mercuric oxide can also be used. It produces an orange-red. And is less expensive. However, for that juicy, true red, gold is absolutely needed.

So wearing handcrafted good indicates that you have the power to acquire and wear the products of many peoples’ efforts. That indicates a certain level of education, another status symbol. Wearing beads further acknowledges that power in an understated fashion (think iron fist in velvet glove).

And lastly, wearing beads that are hand-knotted into place indicates that the wearer recognizes the value of what the possess and wish to keep it.

So, who are you?

Wear Your Beads in Good Fortune!

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