Major Kinds of Jewelry

Most people have a long-standing habit of matching their jewelry to their clothing. We almost always wear one or two pieces of jewelry, if not more, whether we are going to work, going to parties, or even just staying at home. Many men also enjoy wearing rings, bracelets, chains, and even earrings daily, so this is not just a trend among women.

The Latin word “jocale,” which means “plaything,” is where the word “jewelry” originates. It is now recognized as a common type of adornment. You’re in the right place if you’re curious to learn about the major kinds of jewelry. Read on!

Major Kinds of Jewelry based on Body Parts

This category lists various types of jewelry according to where they should be worn and which body parts they should adorn.

golden bracelets and earrings on pink and white background

Earring

A piece of jewelry used to adorn the ears is called an earring. Although any part of the ear can be pierced, the earlobe is typically where earrings are worn. It is referred to as cartilage piercing if the piercing is on the upper portion of the external ear. More than one or two earrings may be worn in the ear. Since the earlobe is the lowermost portion of the ear, many different styles of earrings can be worn there, including large hoops, long dangling earrings, and drop earrings. Different types of stud earrings can be worn on the upper part of the ear. Additionally, a variety of materials, including steel, glass, silver, gold, etc., are used to make these earrings.

Necklace

Women adorn their necks with necklaces as neck jewelry. Since many years ago, wearing necklaces has been regarded as a status symbol. Precious metals and stones are used to create this jewelry. Typically, necklaces are made of a chain or a band. Necklaces come in a variety of styles, including western and ethnic designs. There may occasionally be a locket, pendant, chain, or stone hanging from the chain.

Smiling Woman Fashion Model with Makeup and Jewelry. Silver Necklace and Bracelet with Semiprecious Stones

Bracelet

As a piece of jewelry intended to be worn on the wrist, bracelets highlight a person’s wrist. Regarding the typical shape of a person’s wrist, it is mostly round or oval and comes in a variety of designs. However, one can choose to wear bracelets depending on the function. Bracelets are fashion accessories with sparkling and vibrant charms that one can wear by personal preferences. Although they are distinct from bangles and typically take the form of chains or are made of beads and stones, bracelets are occasionally mistaken for bangles if they have a single, rigid loop. It can frequently be worn on the ankles, in which case it is known as an anklet.

Cuff Links

While shirts typically have buttons to close the cuffs, cuff links make shirts look more fashionable. from leather to stone and glass, etc. To make cufflinks, various materials are employed. Cuff links can be worn with shirts that have buttonholes on the cuffs.

Rings

Rings are also known as finger rings because they are worn on the fingers. Typically, a ring is a circular band that is worn on the finger, nose, toes, etc. Only a hand ring—made of various materials like gold, silver, platinum, etc.—is considered a ring, even though there are numerous other rings such as bracelets, earrings, neck rings, toe rings, etc.

However, the jewelry mentioned above is the most typical kind that is frequently seen being worn by numerous people and is generally available. But in addition to the types of jewelry mentioned above, there are numerous other items of jewelry designed to be worn on various body parts, such as armlets, waistbelts, nose rings, brooches, etc.

Major Kinds of Jewelry Based on Different Jewelry Designs

The designs play a significant role when discussing jewelry types, so under this category, the various types of jewelry have been listed based on their designs, materials, and how they are typically known in the jewelry market.

Antique Jewelry

These two terms—”vintage jewelry” and “this kind of jewelry”—are frequently used interchangeably. But there are differences between antique and vintage jewelry, including the periods. A piece of vintage jewelry is almost at least fifty years old, whereas antique jewelry is thought to be at least one hundred years old. These jewelry designs are timeless and will always be in style.

Because these pieces of jewelry are expensive and go best with classy clothing and looks, they are rarely worn. Additionally, because vintage and antique jewelry is difficult to find, not many people have access to it. As a result, such jewelry is pricey. The price of an item of vintage jewelry is determined by the weight of the precious metal it is made of and/or the weight of the gemstones it is set with.

Little Box of Glitter

Temple Jewelry

Dancers who perform in Bharatnatyam typically wear temple jewelry. The type of ornaments used to adorn Hindu god and goddess idols in South India served as the inspiration for this jewelry. Typically, silver is used to make Temple jewelry, which is then gold-plated. Ruby, white sapphire, and pearls are frequently used in the creation of temple jewelry. Simple necklaces, bangles, earrings, and nose pins are some examples of temple jewelry. There are many temple-related accessories, such as hair ornaments, ranging from odiyanums (waist belts) to vankis (armbands).

Bead Jewelry

The main definition of bead jewelry is a piece of jewelry composed of variously shaped beads and serving as a small decorative item. With holes pierced through them, beads are worn in strands. The strands are connected by strings or chains to form the final piece. Beads can be made from a wide range of materials, including pearls, glass, wood, and metals like gold, silver, copper, etc.

Bridal Jewelry

As the name implies, brides wear this jewelry to their weddings. In contrast to most other cultures, which favor simple platinum and diamond pendants and earring sets, Indian weddings feature brides donning grand, royal pieces of jewelry. Due to the cool and dry weather, the bridal jewelry market in India experiences a huge profit during the wedding season (November to March).

Brides are covered in jewelry from head to toe and have 16 adornments called solah shringar on them. These include maang tika, or forehead jewelry, an armlet, necklace, earring, anklet, finger ring, bangle, waist belt, nose pin, and toe rings, among other adornments.

Given that weddings are the most popular event worldwide, there will always be a demand for bridal jewelry. Since expert craftsmanship is required for this type of fine jewelry, the demand for jewelry jobs in this industry is higher than for jobs in other jewelry specialties.

portrait of an Indian bride wearing gold jewelry and a traditional red sari in a Hindu wedding

Fashion Jewelry

Fashion jewelry is frequently worn with a current, fashionable outfit and is typically inexpensive to wear frequently with various outfits. It is mostly junk jewelry of the material it is made of and is also known as costume jewelry. Due to the use of inexpensive metals like nickel and pewter in its construction, it has a very stylish appearance without being expensive. The market has the highest demand for fashion jewelry, so this is one industry where one can locate jewelry jobs for producing readily available fashion jewelry.

Handmade Jewelry

Without mentioning handmade jewelry when we talk about jewelry, the list would be lacking since many artisans create jewelry by hand and with their skills. A stone setter completes the design by incorporating gemstones into the jewelry. Goldsmiths are experts at managing the entire step-by-step jewelry-making process, from melting the material to designing and forming. Making a handmade, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry requires many steps of excellent craftsmanship and is frequently a time-consuming task that needs to be done manually using specialized tools. The intricate design and fine craftsmanship that go into each piece of handmade jewelry are what gives it its beauty. For goldsmiths and other jewelry makers looking for employment, there are numerous opportunities in this type of jewelry making.

Kundan Jewelry

Kundan is a Sanskrit word that means “pure gold.” Since uncut diamonds are frequently used in setting gems using 24-karat gold foil, Kundan jewelry refers to a variety of gem settings. The 24k gold foil in Kundan jewelry is used to secure the stone.

Other gems that are frequently used in Kundan jewelry settings include emeralds, rubies, sapphires, spinels, and pearls. Additionally, semiprecious stones like tourmalines, onyx, and turquoise are used in contemporary Kundan pieces. Despite being available throughout India, the pink city of Jaipur is the most preferred location to purchase such jewelry. Kundan jewelry is regarded as an expensive and opulent jewelry type due to the labor required, the materials used, and the use of rare and expensive stones.

Kundan Jewelry

Minakari Jewelry

Given its illustrious history and distinctive style, minakari jewelry is regarded as the most royal type of jewelry. This jewelry is created of enameled metal with vibrant colors and attractive designs. It is thought to be a form of pure art. The Persian word mina, which means heaven, is the origin of the word minakari.

The term “minakar” refers to the jeweler who makes minakari jewelry. This jewelry is made in a manner akin to other handmade jewelry, but a minakar is skilled in such design and artwork. However, minakari jewelry is colorful, and different Indian cities have variations in their style and color. For instance, the predominant minakari color in Varanasi is a dusky pink or “old rose,” while the dominant minakari color in Lucknow is green and blue which are enameled on silver.

Conclusion

These various jewelry pieces are made using various techniques and require specialized craftsmanship. These are the major kinds of jewelry that can elevate the style of your everyday clothing.