Chances are you may have already spotted this new skincare tool in town! With a rising number of influencers, YouTubers, and skincare specialists using the Gua Sha stone, it’s high time that you know what the hype is all about, right?
You are at the right place! This guide will give you an A-Z understanding of this miracle tool called Gua Sha. So keep reading if you are aiming to up your skincare game!
What is a Gua Sha Stone?
Gua Sha stone is a skincare tool, which is flat and made of semi-precious stone which is used for the purpose of massaging and providing relaxation. Although it has only made contemporary trends now, it has been existing for a much longer time than you think.
Gua means stroking or pressing, and Sha means redness. Gua Sha is a Chinese traditional healing technique by scraping the face. The beliefs are that the redness that is caused by stroking the face, helps to heal the skin. Modern-day Gua Sha techniques are lesser intense though but are sure to give you a chiseled face with many other benefits.
How Can Your Skin Benefit from Gua Sha?
In my opinion, Gua Sha is a miraculous invention. Once you know how to use it, you will simply fall in love with it. Promise.
When used continually and in the right techniques, you can see numerous results that a Gua Sha brings to the fore, including:
1. Deals with Cystic Acne
A Gua Sha stone
Many people tend to believe that Gua Sha shouldn’t be used over acne. But that’s just a myth. In fact, the tool helps to reduce acne by reducing flare-ups and improving blood circulation. However, it mustn’t be used over damaged or barrier-broken skin.
2. Lymphatic Drainage
If your lymph system is slow, you will see puffiness, acne, fatigue, and swollen skin. It can only be improved by muscular movement and Gua Sha does that job pretty well. Using it regularly will improve your lymph system.
3. Reduces Acne Scars
Yes, you heard that right. There are a lot of products and serums in the market that makes the claim of reducing those stubborn acne scars. But the results are really poor. The Gua Sha in circulating blood renews skin cells which ultimately reduce scars. That’s a better and hassle-free treatment for your acne scars.
4. Helps with Dark Circles and Pigmentation
When blood circulation is good, you will automatically see results like a reduction in dark circles and pigmentation areas. Gua Sha when used right helps to reduce dark circles and pigmentation.
5. Reduces Puffiness
The Gua Sha removes lymph and other fluids through stroking, hence giving relaxation to your face and leaving behind fresh and healthy skin free of puffiness.
6. Sculpts Jawline and Cheekbones
A defined and chiseled jawline is a dream, right? Stroking your Gua Sha tool in the right way and constantly will do that job perfectly well for you. As time passes, you will see the changes on your face as it will look more naturally sculpted.
7. Softens Wrinkles
Relaxing your stiff muscles, reduces wrinkles and fine lines like a wonder. But using it consistently and properly is important to see these results.
How to Find Your Perfect Gua Sha?
Gua Shas come in a variety of shapes and materials and each has a different use. We’ve curated the perfect list for you to choose your Gua Sha!
You can choose the best fit of Gua Sha for your skin on the basis of two things:
On the basis of Material
On the basis of Shape
Varieties of Gus Sha on the basis of Material
1. Rose Quartz
The pretty pink of Gua Sha in rose quartz is the epitome of love, compassion, and emotions. If you need to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles, this is your best friend. It will also help you to get rid of toxins in your body.
Rose Quartz Gua Sha
2. Black Obsidian
This particular Gua Sha is made up of the earthly elements of fire, water, and earth which will help you to remove all the toxins in your body and get rid of negative emotions. It is responsible for strengthening facial muscles and leaves your skin feeling rejuvenating.
Black Obsidian Gua Sha
3. Jade
To promote lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness, this is your go-to Gua Sha tool. This crystal gives resting to the existing imbalances in your body.
Jade Gua Sha Stones
4. Amethyst
This crystal produces negative ions that will get rid of the negative energy and stress. A perfect tool to help you after a long and tiring day after work. It helps cool down the skin and in pore tightening.
Amethyst Gua Sha Stone
Varieties of Gua Sha on the Basis of Shape
1. Concave Side
The concave side Gua Sha helps best to stroke on the larger areas of your body like the neck, shoulders, and spine.
2. Double Curved Side
This Gua Sha shape will help you to reduce puffiness under the eyes and improve blood circulation around cheeks and cheekbones.
Double Curved Gua Sha stone
3. Cleft
This one is used particularly for the jaw because of its smaller cleft.
4. Teeth Edge
For your fine lines and wrinkles, you need this shape of Gua Sha. It is also used on the chin, cheeks, forehead, and temples.
Teeth-edged Gua Sha Stone
5. Pointed Convex Edge
To scoop your brows, keep them healthy and in shape, this is the perfect Gua Sha tool.
What is the Right Way to Use your Gua Sha?
1. Prep your Gua Sha before starting the routine. Make sure to wipe it thoroughly yet gently before using it on your skin. You can also leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours before using it so that it cools your skin.
2. Your skin needs to feel a little slippery for the Gua Sha to stroke efficiently. So apply some facial oil, serum, or moisturizer before using the Gua Sha.
3. Use it in the right way. The curved side of the tool should hug the curves of your skin. And the flat side should rest on your skin.
4. Start by using the concave side of your tool by pressing it gently in an upwards motion from your neck to the jawline. Repeat this a few times and then do it on the other side of the neck. Do not put too much pressure here, just enough to relax your muscles.
How to use a Gua Sha stone
5. Now start scraping from the bottom of your skin using the cleft side of the tool. Scrape it all along your jawline, up to the ears. Repeat a few times and switch to the next side.
6. Take the flatter curve side and scrape it along your cheeks. Do this in the horizontal motion a couple of times and then repeat on the other side.
7. The small round end of your tool will now be used to massage under the eyes gently. Pull it towards your temples.
8. Now on your forehead, make sure that the largest curve is just above and gently pull it up towards your hairline.
9. Once you are done massaging all the areas of your face, you can go ahead and finish your skincare routine.
Should you use Gua Sha on serum or face oils?
When you’re using the Gua Sha tool during the day, applying a serum is better as it has a lightweight formula. Oil will make your skin feel greasy or sticky. Nevertheless, apply whatever your skin is more comfortable with – may it be a serum, face oil, or moisturizer. You just need to have a moist base so that the Gua Sha can glide smoothly without causing any irritation.
1. If you have some active acne on your skin, you can use the Pulp Ex-Acne Anti Acne Serum which is the goodness of Sea Buckthorn and Elderflower.
2. If your skin is showing signs of aging or you are looking for some anti-aging product, use Deconstruct Retinol and Peptide Serum as a base for your Gua Sha routine.
3. Use Shankara Kumadi Oil if your skin is scarred, it will generously nourish and hydrate your face and reduce the scars over time when you use it with the Gua Sha.
Serum
4. If you have dry and dehydrated skin, use Swisse’s Hyaluronic Serum which will give you quick and intense hydration with Senna plant extract, Jojoba, sweet almond oil.
5. If you need some serum for your night Gua Sha routine, use Martiderm’s Night Renew Serum or the Night Face Elixir by Ras Luxury Oils. These active products will treat your skin overnight and also heal it.
Whichever product you consider using, make sure you use something that will moisten your skin. Don’t use the Gua Sha on dry and dehydrated skin.
How often should you use Gua Sha?
To see amazing and transformative results, it is recommended that you use the Gua Sha tool at least three times a week. You can either use it in the morning to prepare your skin for the day or use it at night after a long day of work to give you relaxation.
How to Store and Clean your Gua Sha?
A tool that you have to use on your skin often needs to be clean otherwise it can lead to other skin problems like sudden breakouts and acne. Use a soft towel to wipe your tool before each use. Even better, you can use a towel dipped in a mixture of cleanser and water and then use it to gently wipe the Gua Sha.
This will remove any bacteria on the tool. Make sure that you don’t use hot water because that can cause damage to the stone. Ensure also that your tool is completely dry before storing it in the box.
Handling your Gua Sha with care is really important as it is made up of semi-precious stones and is fragile. So you need to store it in a place where it cannot fall from or better still, keep it in the refrigerator to have an added cooling effect.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
One of the many skincare tools that are around and hyped in the market are face rollers, which I’m sure that if you’re someone who is skin-conscious, you’re probably eyeing to buy one.
Ever since the tool has been around, people have been more curious than ever. And if you’re someone who’s looking for a wholesome guide that will give you all the understanding of this miraculous tool, you’re at the right place!
Read on to know what is a face-roller and how it can benefit your skin. I’m going to talk about some great things, most of which are largely ‘unknown’.
What is a Face-roller?
Face-rollers have been around for much longer than you can imagine. It’s only that it has made it to popular culture now.
Just like the Gua Sha, the face-roller technique comes from China where it was used traditionally by wealthy women. It is a handy facial tool that has two rollers on either end made up of semi-precious stones like Jade or Amethyst.
Face Roller
Because of the high demand of face rollers today, they come in an array of choices of stones and sizes. The mini-roller is smaller in size and has only one roller. It is more affordable compared to dual-ended ones and is travel friendly. It is designed in a way so that it can efficiently target the area around the eyes and the mouth.
How can you benefit from using a face-roller?
The face roller needs to be used correct. If that is not done, you might get a lot of side effects. Using the face-roller with a good technique will prove beneficial for you because, it will:
1. Prevent your skin from premature aging
Face-rolling will tone your face, relax your muscles and increase skin elasticity over time. You will notice the reduced signs of aging and depuffing.
2. Renew the skin cells
When done the right way, the face rolling technique will give the same mark of goodness as facial massage. It will rejuvenate your skin and renew the skin cells.
3. Fight dark circles
Face rolling has a cooling effect on your skin which decreases the size of the blood vessels under your eye area, and helps get rid of the dark circles.
4. Boost blood circulation and collagen
It will improve the movement and circulation of blood around your face, and make it more bright and fresh. The face rolling technique will also increase the facial skin protein called collagen.
5. Help in faster absorption of skincare products
One of the best ways to use this product is to apply your serum and moisturizer first and then gently use the roller. You’ll notice that it will help the products to absorb into your skin and give better results.
How does a Face-Roller work?
To know the best way of using the face-roller starts by first understanding its structure. The larger roller is meant for the entire face. And the smaller one is made for areas like around your eyes. These rollers are made up of semi-precious stones which have healing properties.
According to experts, when you roll this face-roller upon your skin, it exerts some pressure which stimulates blood and energy flow in your facial tissues. This undoubtedly increases blood flow, and also optimizes lymph movements. This ultimately leads to regeneration, repairing, and freshness.
How to choose a Face Roller that’ll suit you best?
Just as your choice of skin care products depends on your skin type and requirement, so it is with the face-roller. There are different stones that serve different purposes.
1. Jade
The jade face-roller has cooling properties and reduces irritation and inflammation. It causes lymphatic drainage which reduces wrinkles and blemishes. So if that is your target, you ought to go with this one.
Jade face roller
2. Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is associated with self-love and care. It represents younger and beautiful skin. It will help reduce your stress and negative energies. It softens fine lines by increasing cell turnover and heals your skin.
Rose Quartz Face Roller
3. Amethyst
This crystal represents power and protection. So if you’ve got acne-prone skin, the Amethyst face roller is your bestie. It will reduce inflammation up to a great extent and tighten skin.
Amethyst face roller and gua sha
4. Obsidian
The obsidian stone represents balance. It has the elements of earth, fire, and water. It is great healing in nature and rejuvenates your skin on all levels.
Obsidian face roller and gua sha
How to use a facial roller?
To get the best results from a facial roller, use it in the manner mentioned below.
1. Firstly, prepare the tool for rolling by keeping it in the freezer for 2-3 hours. This will add additional cooling to your skin.
2. Clean your face before you begin. Make sure it is clean and rid of all dirt. Next, after drying your skin with a soft towel, apply some serum or moisturizer on your face for a greasy base. We recommend our natural creams for this.
3. Now, take your face-roller and place it behind, at the top of your neck and start rolling it in a vertical motion. Cover both the sides of your neck. Once you do this, place the face-roller in the front of your neck and roll it in a downwards motion from the jawline to the collarbones.
4. After doing this step, bring your face-roller to the middle of your face. Push it outwards, toward the sides, along your cheekbones. Cover the entire cheek area before you move on to your forehead.
5. Place your face-roller on your forehead and roll it downwards to your eyebrows. After repeating this a few times, but the roller between your eyebrows, and pull it horizontally towards the temples on either side.
6. With the help of the smaller side of your face-roller, roll gently between the outer and inner corners of your eyes.
7. Finally, wipe your face gently with a towel, and apply your moisturizer for hydration.
Face rollers in different stones
How often should you use a face roller?
We recommend you to use your face-rollers up to 3-4 times a week. You can also choose to use it on a daily basis. Just ensure to be consistent with your skincare routine as inconsistency will not be beneficial for you.
How to clean and store your face roller?
A tool that you have to use on your skin often needs to be clean otherwise it can lead to other skin problems like sudden breakouts and acne. Use a soft towel to wipe your face roller before each use. Even better, you can use a towel dipped in a mixture of cleanser and water and then use it to gently wipe the face roller. This will remove any bacteria on the tool.
Make sure that you don’t use hot water because that can cause damage to the stone. Ensure also that your tool is completely dry before storing it in the box.
Get started with improving your skin tone with a face roller
Handling your face roller with care is really important as it is made up of semi-precious stones and is fragile. So you need to store it in a place where it cannot fall from or better still, keep it in the refrigerator to have an added cooling effect.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
With all the implicit information from here and there, the whole concept of men wearing rings can be a little confusing and sound unapproachable. The people who look to buy rings for men online know the trouble well. But there are certain traditional rules that can be considered in the whole process of selecting men’s rings.
In this post I am going to tell you everything you need to know about men’s rings – its etiquette and make sure that it is a complete guide to buying rings for men.
Where do Men Wear their Rings – Right or Left Hand?
It’s a general trend that men from all over the world wear their engagement rings on fingers of their left-hand. The right hand is associated with activity and the left hand with mental activity. The left hand represents the inherent personality and beliefs of a person. This is a general belief, however, it may vary from culture to culture.
You need to make sure that you choose a ring that makes a great first impression. Choose something in silver that could go with any occasion, attire, festival, or vacation.
Which Finger is Ideal to Wear a Ring for Men?
Different people from different cultures wear their rings differently. But here is the best way to do it.
1. Wearing the ring on your pinky finger isn’t associated with any religious or traditional connotation. Many people wear their rings on this finger as it makes for a great fashion statement.
2. The ring finger is associated with wedding norms. So, only wear it on this finger if you are married otherwise you may confuse people.
3. Wearing the ring on your middle finger is quite unusual but it gives off a really bold impression.
4. Wearing a ring on your index finger is associated with bachelorhood. It may also signify your association with any organization.
5. The thumb is associated with a man’s wealth. So, you can rock with a bold, bulky, and broad ring worn on your thumb.
If you’re confused about which finger to wear the ring on, just go with what you think looks best.
Men Wearing Rings
How Many Rings Should a Man Wear?
One or two rings in a hand are more than enough. If you wear multiple rings, it will give a clustered look. But in popular culture, you can simply go with the trend and wear as many rings you find fashionable without caring for the rules! It’s all about your own preferences.
Man wearing multiple rings
Types of Men’s Rings Based on the Occasion
Rings have always been seen as a symbol of the message that the wearer wants to convey. Because of this particular reason, rings can be put into functional brackets. With all the variety of rings available, choosing the best and perfect one makes all the difference.
Cultural and religious connotations: It’s not very popular that religions ask men to wear rings compulsorily. But in some cases, it’s important to wear one. In that case, you want something that is a blend of tradition and trend. Look for something that will leave your impression as a fashionably religious man!
Zodiac signs: Displaying your zodiac sign on your ring is a trend that was always there. People pay their obeisance to your ruling planets by wearing a ring that portrays their zodiac. However, this can cause superstition and damage your mental peace, we never recommend you to be superstitious, but always have a firm belief in yourself and your creator.
Family rings: Rings to signify a man’s association with family are common but scarcely is there a blend of culture and fashion. You can wear a simple, yet classy silver ring set with a single CZ stone. It will speak volumes about your association with family and yet make you stand out.
So Wear Your Men’s Rings in Style
So whether you’re a fashionable, young, dynamic, globe-trotting, charismatic, wealthy, powerful, brilliant, religious, spiritual, committed, bachelor, to-be-engaged, engaged, or married man there’s a perfect ring for you that you can easily find with the help of this guide. You could use your own creativity and wear a ring that is personal to you.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Not only are the different Kashmiri dresses known to the tourists coming to Kashmir, but they have been showcased time and again in many Bollywood movies such as Kashmir ki Kali, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Rockstar, and more recently in Laila Majnu.
There are some intricacies about the culture and the ethnic clothing of Kashmiris that will tell you a lot about the history and the culture of the people of Kashmir. Kashmiri traditions, the dressing, the language, and the preferences make a vivid picture of how Kashmir connects to the rest of the world.
That’s also the way in which we get to know, how Kashmir and Kashmiris set themselves apart.
Today, I am going to narrate to you another bulletin on Kashmir. It is the story of Kashmiris and their dressing sense. Their clothing and fashion. So, hold your breath and enjoy some information on the traditional Kashmiri dress & style.
Kashmiri Traditional Wear
When we talk about ethnic Kashmiri apparel, it is exactly what you think it is. A traditional kurta and salwar for men actually called the Khan Dress. In the rest of India, it is famous as a pathani.
Women on the other hand wearSalwar-Kameez donned with a dupatta. The hair of women is usually covered with a headscarf. In the winters, women tend to wear a pheran along with a Pashmina Shawl.
You would know about a Salwar Kameez, but you must be thinking about what a pheran is. Pheran is a long garment worn both by men and women that covers the entire body up until the knees. Both men and women are known to wear the pheran, and it’s a dress even used by the kids.
Pheran may have a cap, similar to a hoodie or not. And a pheran comes in various forms depending upon the use it will be put to. So, there are pherans for casual daily wearing, others for formal wear and there are varieties that are meant for weddings.
Although movies do exaggerate showing short shinning waistcoats and pointy skull caps, which in reality are only worn when you have a fancy dress competition to win.
Am not joking!
The Preferred Traditional Kashmiri Dress of a Woman
The Kashmiri dress for women be it Muslim or Pandit is completely the same. But there is a difference in the kind of jewelry each of them prefers to wear. Whereas most of the women in India have sarees as their traditional dress, Kashmiri women have a completely different style.
Kashmiri women have traditional dresses similar to that of Afghan and Persian women. The style and making of the Salwar-Kameez and the jewelry are very similar to the attire donned by the Pashtun women.
The Salwar-Kameez is further beautified by a fancy pheran, as already stated. Now when I say pheran don’t get confused thinking that a pheran is for wearing in winters only.
Pherans are used to cover the bodies. They were worn by Kashmiri women over the centuries to cover their bodies as a sign of modesty. The pherans worn in summer are made out of light fabrics in accordance with the heat.
Next comes the headscarf. It is like a cherry on top of a cake. Without a scarf, any outfit is not complete. At least in our estimation. Interestingly, it is worn by both Muslim and Pandit women. It can be worn by either tying it to the head or letting it stay open. A scarf is called Kasaba or the Taranga by Kashmiri Pandit women. They wear it in a peculiar manner. It is tied to the hanging bonnet and falls up to the heels from behind.
Traditional Kashmiri Dress for the Man
For men, the traditional Kashmir outfit is a Khan Dress topped with a short Sadri (waistcoat). In the past, they also used to wear a long full-length outer robe with long bell sleeves which are called the Chogha. Older folks wear it with a girdle around the waist. A headgear was also worn in older times. It was like a turban made by a small fitted cap covered with a cloth.
The manner of tying the cloth varied among the Pandits and the Muslims. Sometimes, on special occasions such as marriages, the turban of a Muslim man resembled that of a Pathan man. In medieval times rich upper-class Kashmiris wore silk on festive occasions.
The footwear consists of shoes made of grass called Pulharoo and sandals made of wood called Khraw. But this is talking about 5-7 decades ago. Today, with Globalization, Kashmiris wear whatever the world wears, but they still like to done their tradition.
So, you will find men often wearing a full Khan Dress, and women wearing a Salwar-Kameez. During the winters both men and women wear the pheran.
Pandit Dress from early 1900s
Talking about the Kashmiri Dress in Winters
I am going to mention the pheran in detail now. I love the pheran, O’, yes I am!
The winter in Kashmir can give full-fledged competition to the climate in Siberia and Antarctica. The temperature can go down to -15 degrees Celsius.
We Kashmiris tend to be prepared for it. In all honesty victory over such a climate requires complete preparation. In the past, people used to prepare for it months in advance.
Pheran is the first item that comes to mind when someone talks about winters in Kashmir. Yes, the Pehran!
It is something that Kashmiris love and deem to be heritage. It is an all-rounder garb that acts as a sweater, a jacket, an overcoat, and even a blanket. The star of the Kashmiri customary dresses, it has become a mark of identification for Kashmiris around the world.
This woolen wonder has saved Kashmiris from crippling harsh winters which have to be tolerated without electricity in some areas. The only source of heat is the Kangri which is tailor-made for pehrans. Once you have a Kangri under your pehran, the winters just seem like any other season.
Btw, a Kangri is a fire pot.
A Little-Mittle Girl with a Kangri
The women folk wear the pherans in a much more fashionable way. It is not just a winter garment but also centuries-old customary clothing worn also for every special and important occasion. This is the Kashmiri dress that is famous the world over, not as much as the pashmina though.
The simple pherans worn at home have simple embroidery and designs. But those worn for during special occasions are ornamented with attractive tilla works and special embroideries crafted with special gold threads making them worth thousands of rupees in the market but priceless in the eyes of a Kashmiri.
Traditional Wear of a Kashmiri Family
The Summer Dress of Kashmir
In summers, Kashmiri people wear the lighter versions of their traditional outfits. Although ever since modern times popularized global fashion in the valley, our clothing has drastically changed. It has paved the way for western wear to penetrate into the market, but even then the evergreen and ever-comfortable ethnic summer wear hasn’t been written off the valley yet.
The younger women wear Salwar-Kameez in summers with light duppattas whose making can be inspired from either side of the border. The older women prefer to stick to their traditional roots and wear clothes made in the conventional Kashmiri style.
As I stated earlier, the Kameez-Salwar is topped by a light pheran to cover their bodies fully for modesty and crowned with a Daejj (Head Scarf).
Similarly, men also tend to experiment with modern styles nowadays. They prefer to wear pants and jeans with shirts winning the battle of the trends. But when comfort weighs more than show off traditional wear wins the war every time.
The customary Khan Dress is usually made in the Pathan style which can be sometimes topped with a waist coat adding to charm and elegance. The kurtas vary in sizes and shapes, they can be short or long and with our without a collar.
Also, they can be either typical salwars or pants like salwars. Some men wear trousers or jeans under them. Not only is the Kashmiri dress comfortable, but it’s also elegant and stylish.
The traditional Kashmiri jewelry is creativity and mystic art at its best. Every piece of the jewelry blends beautifully with the apparel and adds to the charm of the outfit donned.
Kashmiri ornaments are typically made of gold and silver and are studded with multi-colored stones or pearls. Kashmiris love birthstones. Some people say that Kashmir is the land of the blue sapphire as well.
The well-known and frequently worn jewelry pieces in the past were Jiggni and Tikka. They were worn on the forehead. They can be triangular, semi-circular, or circular in shape depending on the use and occasion.
Atta-Hor (earpiece) was usually worn by the Kashmiri Pandit women. It hangs over the head of the women on either side and is connected by a chain over the head.
Hard to imagine but this beautiful piece of ornament is a sight for sore eyes. Kana-Door (tops) is a simple ornament usually worn by young unmarried girls. Jhumka (ball-shaped earrings), Deji-Hor (long chain-like earrings) are trademark jewelry pieces of married Kashmiri Pandit women.
They are a mark of their matrimony and are worn at all times by them, especially during festivities and weddings. Finally, Kana Vaji is studded with turquoise with a fringe of hanging gold leaves and balls.
That’s all in this bulletin. I have told you everything that you would need to know about the traditional Kashmiri dress. You may know that roots of the Kashmir ethnicity are a mix of several civilizations. Thus, with every piece of clothing, you can see different cultures being beautifully merged among one another. Doesn’t that create a magical blend of many rich customs, arts, and traditions?
To summarize, Kashmir is an offspring of Central Asia, Persia, Arab, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and you can visit all these countries at once by simply visiting Kashmir.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Gypsy jewelry, also commonly known as ‘boho’ or ‘bohemian’ jewelry is one of the most popular jewelry styles of all time.
When we talk about something as versatile as jewelry, there are several trends that come and go. And among all those fleeting trends are some jewelry styles that are timeless and never fade.
One such jewelry style is the ‘gypsy’ style. You are sure to find at least one piece of gypsy jewelry in every jewelry lover’s collection. As this type of jewelry is stylish, funky, and pretty versatile too, it is quite popular all over the world.
But what exactly is gypsy or boho jewelry and what is it that makes it so special? Come along, as we tell you exactly that and a lot more that you need to know about this particular jewelry style.
What is Gypsy Jewelry?
Also commonly referred to as the ‘boho’ or ‘bohemian’ style of jewelry, gypsy jewellery can be defined as the jewelry worn by the free-spirited ‘gypsy’ or ‘boho’ people. It is most commonly associated with artistic and intellectual people who prefer to live a nomadic life. However, the use of gypsy jewelry isn’t just limited to them anymore and this jewellery is now worn all across the world by all kinds of people. The gypsy jewellery is commonly paired with loose and flowy colorful clothes.
This unique jewelry style comes from almost two centuries ago when it became highly popular in Europe. The jewelry is mostly associated with a relaxed, natural, and peaceful way of life. It reflects a free-spirited lifestyle, a relaxed and peaceful attitude, individualism, and a love for nature.
Gypsy jewelry is usually made using silver-colored metals that give off an antique vibe. And the gypsy jewelry is mostly vintage-ish silver with pops of color here and there. Turquoise blue-colored semi-precious stones are very commonly used for making this type of jewelry.
Whether it is finger rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, you will find all kinds of jewelry pieces in the gypsy style.
Gypsy jewelry basically tells a story of individualism and self-expression. It is more about a state of mind and then represented through the jewelry worn. It is a style that has developed through counterculture and out of the different styles that have been adapted and reinterpreted through the years.
This style has been one of the most ‘striking’ jewelry styles for the past two centuries.
The start of this counterculture can be traced back to the years after the French Revolution. When the system of artistic patronage in Europe was on the verge of falling, a lot of artists took up a nomadic lifestyle and started living an inexpensive life. Since they didn’t have the money, they couldn’t afford the latest ‘on trend’ items.
This also led to them looking for alternatives in order to express their individuality. In turn, this led to all bounds and constraints on art being stripped and the artists felt freer to invent, create and wear whatever they wanted. So, it was essentially a lifestyle and thus, a jewelry style that was born out of necessity. What was a reaction by a poverty-stricken class actually grew into an entire counter-culture movement.
These wandering artists were often compared to Gypsies due to the similarities between their lifestyle and fashion choices. So, the term ‘bohemian’ was used to refer to these local eastern European gypsies who led unusual and nomadic lives.
This is actually how the style of gypsy jewelry or bohemian jewelry was born. While this style has had its ups and downs, it has always remained a much-talked-about style over the years.
Especially in this millennial age, gypsy or boho jewelry is gaining a lot of popularity.
Types and Designs of Gypsy Jewelry
Necklaces, bracelets, finger rings, and earrings are the most popular jewelry items that can be found in the gypsy style. Now, let us look at some of the key aspects of this jewelry style.
Nature is a key theme when it comes to their lifestyle and so, the same applies to their jewelry as well. So, designs involving feathers, plants, animals, and flowers are quite common.
Also, necklaces and earrings that have shells are pretty common too. Some of their jewelry pieces also feature real feathers while some pieces have feather-inspired designs. Gypsy jewelry designs are hugely inspired by nature and thus, their designs mostly revolve around this theme.
Layering
When it comes to gypsy jewelry, layering can also be commonly seen. Layering necklaces, finger rings as well as bracelets are a common practice.
Necklaces of varying thicknesses and lengths are worn. The same goes for finger rings and bracelets, where multiple pieces of them are worn together.
Anklets
Anklets are also a popular gypsy jewellery piece. Not just anklets but jeweled barefoot sandals are quite commonly worn by the gypsies too. Especially at beachy or tropical locations, anklets are a widely popular accessory.
The tinkling anklets are a peculiar part of gypsy jewelry.
Body Chains
Another popular jewelry item of the gypsies is the body chain. Delicate or chunky body chains give an ultimate look when paired with the right kind of clothes.
This jewelry item was highly popularized by the gypsies or the bohos and today, body chains are quite common.
Finger Rings
The gypsy or boho-style finger rings rarely have precious stones in them. Instead, they use semi-precious gemstones that are easily accessible. When it comes to finger rings, raw gemstones are also commonly used.
Bracelets
Right from thin silver bracelets to the ones that are completely beaded, there is a lot of variety when it comes to boho or gypsy-style bracelets. It is a very common practice to layer bracelets and wear multiple at once.
Necklaces
Just like bracelets, gypsy jewelry necklaces are quite limitless too. They come in varying lengths and a host of different materials are used to make them like strings, leather, beads, gemstones, etc.
Earrings
Gypsy or boho earrings are quite colorful. Beads, tassels, and semi-precious stones are commonly used to make these earrings. These earrings are mostly long, dangling, and have beautiful funky designs.
Most boho jewelry includes semi-precious stones and the ones most commonly used are amethyst, quartz, and labradorite. This jewelry also makes use of the most accessible natural materials such as strings, cords, base metals, and shells.
When it comes to the colors of gypsy jewelry, greens, browns, oranges, yellows are the most common ones. Their designs or motifs include geometric shapes, floral designs, motifs like sun and star, and sometimes spiritual motifs too.
How to Style Gypsy Jewelry
Now that you know what gypsy jewellery is, its history, and its common characteristics, let us look at how it can be styled.
Layering Necklaces
If you want to try out a jewelry style that is very ‘gypsy’ then layering necklaces is one way of doing it. Wear 2 to 3 necklaces at once that are all of the different lengths.
You can start with a choker or a very small necklace and then gradually keep increasing their lengths. You can even wear necklaces that are of a similar type of color for a more balanced look. Even simple pendant necklaces will work wonderfully for this look.
Layer your necklaces with flowy dresses and the look would be even better if you wear a white flowy, beach-style dress.
Fringed necklaces
When we talk about gypsy jewelry, fringed necklaces are way high up on the list. Fringed necklaces go well with all kinds of outfits irrespective of whether it is a casual or a dressy one.
Usually, the fringes are made from hanging silver or golden strips or even just simple threads, it totally depends on the style of the necklace. The necklace also may or may not be accompanied by a pendant.
These necklaces go well with tops as well as with dresses.
Go for a statement necklace
Adding a statement gypsy or boho-style necklace to your outfit will complete your entire look. Adding just one statement necklace will transform your look like nothing else.
Moreover, statement necklaces go well with all kinds of outfits whether it is a dress, a top, a winter outfit, or anything else. You just need to make sure that you choose the right piece.
Choosing the right gypsy jewelry necklace will give you the perfect gypsy or boho vibes.
Another way to achieve the right ‘gypsy’ look is by accessorizing your fingers with multiple rings. Wear rings that are of varying sizes and you can even wear two rings on one finger.
If you go for a fitted ring for your ring and index fingers, go for a mid-ring or knuckle ring for your middle finger. You can also go for rings of varying thicknesses for a more fun look. You can either go for delicate rings or the heavier ones or even a combination of both.
Wear feather accessories
Feather accessories are also very common when we talk about gypsy jewelry. If you want a more free-spirited look, go for them.
No matter what accessory you go for, feathers can always help you achieve the perfect gypsy or boho look. One of the best options here would be to go for a pair of big feathered colorful earrings. These are best paired with floral dresses, simple tops, or even Indian Kurtis.
For a more vintage-inspired look, you can go for feathered jewelry in silver or golden colors. There’s a host of it that you can find- right from necklaces to bracelets, there is a lot of variety.
Tassel Earrings
If you wish to add just one element of boho to your look but still wish to keep it subtle then tassel earrings are the best choice.
They are the best option if you don’t want your look to be overly gypsy. Again, these earrings pair amazingly well with casual and dressy outfits alike. Also, you can find tassel earrings in almost every color, so that you can match them with your outfit’s color.
Not just that but these earrings are also suitable for every kind of occasion.
Coin pendant necklaces
If a casual look is what you are going for then a coin necklace is the perfect fit for it. These necklaces aren’t just very fun to wear but also look very fun.
A delicate coin necklace would give the perfect look to your outfit and make it look very feminine.
Body chains for a unique look
When we talk about gypsy jewelry, body chains cannot be left behind. It is a very original gypsy or boho look and hence, if you wish to achieve a unique gypsy look, a body chain is your answer.
These chains will make your look stand out and are perfect for beachy or tropical locations. There is a host of variety in body chains and hence, you will have a lot to choose from.
Where to buy Gypsy Jewelry?
Since gypsy jewelry is so immensely popular, it is not difficult to find. You can find it not just in jewelry shops but also on several websites that sell it online. You can find it on websites that sell all kinds of jewelry and also on websites that specialize only in gypsy or boho jewelry.
If you wish to take a look at a wide variety of gypsy-style jewelry, then buying it online would be your best option.
Conclusion
Here, we told you everything about gypsy jewelry- right from what it is, its history to tips on styling it. We hope that you found this information on gypsy/ boho jewelry interesting.
It is a beautiful style that has been in fashion for years and years now. No matter where you go in the world, you are sure to spot people wearing this gorgeous and unique style of jewelry.
So, if you haven’t already, it is time that you get your hands on a beautiful piece of gypsy jewelry to add to your collection.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Whether it was to showcase one’s social status and wealth, to serve a religious purpose, to represent relationships, or to use as a fashion accent, contemporary jewellery has always been a very important aspect of almost every culture around the world since times immemorial.
Even though jewelry has always been a way of adorning the body, it also carries significant meaning and symbolism. While some jewelry pieces have sentimental value as they are passed down from generation to generation, some precious ornaments were collected to serve as security in times of financial crisis.
Did you know that the history of jewelry dates back to as many as 25,000 years ago and India’s fascination with it began some 5,000 years ago in the Indus Valley? And since then, like almost every other thing, jewelry has gone through an immense transformation too. It developed not just in terms of the materials used and the designs made but also in terms of the variety and as a craft form in general. This gave rise to modern jewellery designs and a lot more variety to the wearer.
When talking about jewelry, there is so much to discuss. There is a sea of knowledge with so much to explore and so much yet to be explored. So, here, in this article, we share with you a speck of this ocean full of knowledge. We talk about a topic that has been much in trend in the past few years- contemporary jewelry.
Even though the term ‘contemporary jewelry’ has been around for about 50 years, there are a host of definitions on it. It is a term that is hard to define as it is so internally diverse and differs among regions.
While some believe contemporary jewellery to be the modern offspring of the craft-based activity, others see it as the modern jewelry-makers deviating from the old goldsmith’s tradition.
Contemporary jewellery is something that is made in the time, it is relevant and something that ‘belongs to the same or the present time’. So, basically, contemporary jewelry is something that is in trend in the present day. And it is a beautiful mixture of jewelry and art.
Along with adorning the body and outfit, this jewelry is also worn as a way to express individual talent, influences, and contemporary culture.
Each and every piece of contemporary jewellery is unique and can be made using a host of materials.
An example of contemporary jewellery can be navel rings, a jewellery style that developed sometime during the year 1993.
The producers of jewelry during the 60s and early 70s who made the use of ‘poor materials’ to make extravagant forms of jewelry can be called the proponents of this jewelry style.
We hope this gives you an idea of what contemporary jewelry is all about.
Difference between Modern Jewelry and Contemporary Jewelry
While many people believe the two to be the same, they are actually a bit different. And while contemporary jewellery and modern jewellery do have many similarities, there are some key differences between them.
The main focus of modern jewelry is the aesthetic appeal and the end product is crafted by keeping its appearance in mind. It can be defined as something that gives a modern twist to traditional jewelry. So, this is what we refer to when we talk about modern jewellery designs.
On the other hand, while designing the contemporary type of jewelry, multiple aspects are considered during its creative process. Not just its aesthetic appeal but its materiality and social context are also taken into consideration.
The History of Contemporary Jewelry
The history of contemporary jewelry dates back to over 60 years ago, to 1960. It began in the second half of the 20th century and its beginning is seen as a progressive art movement. The contemporary jewellery era is defined as artistic, fun as well as self-expressing. The jewelry of this era stopped being a symbol of status or wealth and instead, became more of what we know it as today- an accessory.
Now, let us take a look at contemporary jewelry through the ages.
The 1960s
The jewelry of this decade introduced us to what is known as ‘the space age’ of jewelry. This was the time that plastic was introduced into the world of jewelry making, mostly owing to its affordability.
Since the jewelry enthusiasts wanted more affordable jewelry and more pieces of jewelry, especially for daily wear, the contemporary jewelry made during this time enabled them to do so.
It was a period of experimentation, vibrant and unusual colors, geometric shapes, and asymmetrical designs. Multi-strand faceted glass and crystal beads were also commonly used. A lot of metals and gemstones that weren’t previously used for making jewelry were widely used in this era. This included crystals, baroque pearls, and turquoise. Flower power also had a strong influence on the jewelry of the 1960s.
All in all, the 1960s was a very crucial time for the development of contemporary jewelry and the modern jewellery designs of this time were very unique.
This was an era where the style of the jewelry was a bit relaxed. As it was also a time that more women were entering the workforce, jewelry styles were such that they could easily be worn daily but at the same time, could be transformed into evening pieces.
Layered necklaces and bracelets were popular modern jewellery designs of the 70s. The contemporary jewelry of this time was also highly influenced by the Hippie and Bohemian styles of that time. So, there was a lot of nature-themed jewelry during this time.
Natural materials such as stones, wood, and ivory were very commonly used for jewelry-making. And the earthy browns, greens, mustard yellows, and dark oranges were the most preferred colors for the jewelry of this era.
The 1980s
The 80s were a time of bold jewelry pieces in loud colors. Big jewelry pieces in neon colors that were made out of plastic defined the 80s jewelry trends.
Oversized hoop earrings, chunky necklaces, and neon bangles are examples of some popular contemporary jewelry pieces of this time. Also, this is the decade when cocktail rings were introduced.
Headbands embellished with gemstones also became quite popular during the 1980s. A lot of statement pieces that enabled its wearer to express themselves became quite popular in this decade.
The 1990s
The 1990s were a striking contrast to the 1980s. Darker and more subdued type of contemporary jewelry was the trend in this era. The idea of minimalist jewelry developed during this decade.
Some popular modern jewellery design pieces from the 1990s include choker necklaces, pendant necklaces, and charm bracelets. And the bold neon pieces from the decade that passed by were seen as tacky and out of date.
Contemporary Jewelry Today
The contemporary jewellery of today is hard to define into any one particular style. Right from gold, silver, and precious stones to wood, jute, and other metals to plastic, everything is used for contemporary jewelry-making.
Since we live in an era where self-expression is very much stressed upon, jewelry is one of the best ways of doing it. Hence, contemporary jewelry of today highly depends on its wearer. And the jewelry industry of today caters to all kinds of jewelry wearers.
Whether it is the neon jewelry or oversized hoops from the 80s or the dark-colored chokers from the 90s, every kind of contemporary jewelry is at the wearer’s disposal today.
What’s more, is that we also live in a highly creative era. This means that newer jewelry inventions and newer designs are developed every day all across the world.
For the contemporary jewelry of today, the sky is literally the limit as each and every designer has his/ her own creative styles.
The world has really opened up to the concept of contemporary jewelry and the number of ways that it can be styled are truly limitless.
The Materials and Techniques used for making Contemporary Jewelry
The making of contemporary jewellery isn’t just limited to any one material or technique anymore. Everything right from plastic and reconstructed materials to precious metals like gold and silver is used for making it. Several colorful precious, as well as semi-precious gemstones, also find their use in making this kind of jewelry.
Contemporary jewellery isn’t just high street fashion but can also be found at fine jewelry stores. Also, the techniques used for making it vary greatly from brand to brand. While some brands mass produce their jewelry, some independent designers like to handcraft their jewelry pieces. Metalsmithing, wirework, glass artistry, beadwork, etc. are some of the many techniques that are used to make contemporary jewelry.
As there are more jewelry brands now more than ever, there is an array of variety available. Any and every kind of jewelry piece can be found in the contemporary style. Finger rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are the most common ones. Not just that but facial and body jewelry is also quite common and jewelry for nose, ear, and other piercings, and body chains are also widely available.
Top Indian Contemporary Jewelry Brands to know about
1.Olio
Dangler earrings featuring ancient Greek coins, reversible pendants with a one paisa coin on one side, and a turquoise stone on the other are some of the most popular designs by this brand.
A Kolkata-based brand, Olio is built on the simple concept of being a modern-day heirloom. The brand’s designs draw inspiration from mythological figures, age-old Indian traditions, and more.
Olio’s jewelry is very versatile and striking and its collection has a lot of interchangeable pieces. It is for modern-day women and their jewelry pieces start at Rs.2,500.
Lune is also an Indian contemporary jewelry brand to know about. A Mumbai-based brand, whimsical, light, and delicate best define the brand’s designs.
They have new collections coming up every month, making Lune a favorite among its customers.
Lune’s pieces are unique and range from everyday style to occasional. Their pieces start at an affordable price of Rs. 400.
Dhora
A Jaipur-based brand, Dhora makes beautiful contemporary jewelry along with curating designs from some of the best designers.
Gold and silver-polished metal bangles, silver-polished baalis, and chunky rings are some of Dhora’s highlights. The brand’s designs find inspiration in the landscapes and traditions of Rajasthan.
You will find a wide range of jewelry consisting of earrings, finger rings, charm bracelets, chokers, necklaces, and much more beautifully designed by Dhora. The brand’s price range starts at Rs. 800.
Manifest Design
Another Indian jewelry brand known for its contemporary jewellery is called ‘Manifest Design’. The brand’s designs seek inspiration from architectural forms, bold rock formations, sculptures, flowers, corals, and much more.
They have a huge collection of jewelry including statement earrings, neckpieces, bracelets, bangles, cuffs, and a lot more. They use a metal smith’s craftsmanship to create everyday wearable pieces.
Manifest Design’s jewelry pieces start at Rs. 1000.
Hannan
Founded by two childhood friends, the brand creates one-of-a-kind jewelry using resin, ceramic and freshwater pearls.
A dangler consisting of a glitter-filled heart topped with purple amethyst, cosmic lover earrings, and pearl drop earrings are some of Hannan’s signature designs.
They also have a range of charms that make great additions to chains as well as bracelets. Their jewelry range consisting of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and more is brass-based and gold-plated.
Although we only talked about 5 here, there are numerous contemporary jewelry brands in India. Each and every brand is equally beautiful as it has its unique sense of style.
Not just brands but stunning contemporary jewelry can also be found in the local jewelry shops in India.
Conclusion
Contemporary jewelry is something that is made ‘in the current time’ and hence, it is something that is going to be in trend forever.
In this article, we told you not just about its definition and history but also talked about some of the best brands making it.
Which type of contemporary jewelry is your favorite?
Over to You
Here, we talked about the 21 must-read books on jewellery. Which one of these 21 jewellery books are you the most excited to read?
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Known for its coastal beauty, steep mountains, Viking heritage, and deep fjords, the Scandinavian region that makes up the countries of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway is sure a breathtaking place. However, the region has a lot more to offer than just its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage and history. While people travel here for a magical escape among the mountains and the beaches, we are here to tell you about another very interesting aspect of Scandinavia- their jewelry!
While jewelry may not be the first thing to come to your mind when you think of Scandinavia, there sure is a lot that you must know about it.
Today, Scandinavian jewellery is immensely popular all over the world and there are a host of prominent Scandinavian designers who have left their mark in the jewellery industry.
Right from the dainty silver jewelry to the unique jewelry designs made popular by the Vikings, there is a lot to Scandinavian jewelry than you might think. Whether you prefer simple and elegant jewelry designs or something heavier or more glamorous, you can find it all in the jewellery of the Scandinavians.
So, come along, as we tell you everything that there is to know about Scandinavian jewelry- right from its history to its present-day state.
Scandinavian Jewelry: A Brief History
The time of the Vikings was an important one in the history of Scandinavia, and needless to say, the Vikings also highly popularized very distinctive jewellery designs during their time.
However, it wasn’t until the later part of the 19th century that the jewelry industry of this area came on its own. Until this time, the jewelry from all the three Scandinavian countries namely Denmark, Norway, and Sweden was highly influenced by the early Nordic traditions. Let us take a look at the history of Viking jewelry first.
Viking Jewellery
Right from gold to simple animal bones, a host of different materials were used for making the Viking Scandinavian jewellery. Not just women but men too loved wearing jewelry. Rings, brooches, necklaces, and bracelets were the commonly worn jewelry pieces by them.
They made their own intricate jewellery in the form of necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc out of a variety of different materials. While the poor used bronze or animal bones to make their jewelry, the rich made use of precious silver or gold.
The men were mostly known to wear a single brooch on their right shoulder whereas the women wore one on either of their shoulders in order to fasten their shawls. Their bracelets, rings, pendants, and other jewelry mostly had complex knotted designs and symbolic signs. Many of their ornaments featured images of animals, particularly those of snakes and their twisting shapes.
Wherever they went, the Vikings picked up the fashions from those countries and then used them in their own jewelry styles. At the beginning of the Viking era, the designs were relatively simple but as time went by, they became more sophisticated and intricate.
An interesting fact to note here is that the Vikings didn’t just wear jewelry to bring some glamour into their seemingly dark world. But in fact, the jewelry also had a secondary purpose which was of using it as currency in trade. That is also probably a reason why they preferred using precious materials to make their jewelry.
Necklaces
The Vikings commonly used gold, silver, natural fiber, and iron wired to craft their necklaces and they would be accompanied by pendants that were made from glass beads, precious stones, metallic charms, etc. The pendant designs were often the Nordic religious symbols, souvenirs, or gifts that held great importance to the wearer.
Pendants
Right from the Mjolnir pendants to Valkunt pendants to Thor’s hammer, the Vikings wore a host of different pendant designs. They are also known to have amulets but whether they wore them isn’t exactly known.
Brooches
When we talk about the Scandinavian jewelry of the Vikings, we cannot leave brooches behind as they were immensely popular during their period. They were an essential jewelry piece commonly used for holding clothes in place. While their brooches came in an array of different styles, the oval brooches and penannular brooches were the most common. The Penannular brooches were exclusively worn by the men while the women wore the oval brooches. The women would wear them to fasten their dresses, aprons, or cloaks.
Rings
We also cannot miss out on rings when we talk about Scandinavian jewellery and especially, Viking jewelry. The finger rings that they wore were mostly open-ended and had an uneven width. While wearing rings was very common, they only became popular in the late-Viking ages.
Earrings were actually pretty uncommon during the Viking era and probably the least common ornament that they wore. However, their earrings were quite intricate and they would be worn over the entire ear.
Arm Rings/ Bracelets
Arms rings or what we commonly know as bracelets were also very popular during those times. These bracelets or arm rings were a display of wealth and were also often used for commercial purposes. Right from gold and silver to animal bones, different materials were used to make them.
The Vikings didn’t just enjoy fashion but their fashion also came with a purpose. They didn’t just craft intricate ornaments for wearing them but they also served as currency in times of need. With a rich culture, the Vikings also left behind beautiful and unique Scandinavian jewelry that is celebrated and worn to date.
Scandinavian Jewellery – Denmark
Denmark is majorly known for its intricate and delicate silver and gold jewelry. Even though this jewelry has become quite trendy in recent years, it is deeply rooted in the country’s history.
While the Copenhagen Guild of Goldsmiths was established in 1429, it was in 1746 when Queen Sophie Magdelene was crowned and gave the country’s jewelers a major lift. She started her own jewelry collection and specified that a collection of jewels always needs to be at the disposal of the sitting Queen.
That’s how the legacy of beautiful intricate jewelry in Denmark began and it has only flourished since. The country is known for its minimalist yet very elegant jewelry.
Intricate, minimalist yet sophisticated and trendy is what defines Danish jewelry the best. Today, there are several Danish jewelry houses that are immensely popular all over the world, including Pandora and Georg Jensen.
Scandinavian Jewelry – Norway
The traditional Norwegian jewelry is known as ‘Solje’ (SOL-ya) which basically means shiny or sunny. These antique pieces are centuries old and back in the day, they were completely handmade using silver and other precious materials.
The Solje pieces had interesting designs like that of a crown top or scalloped edge designs and tear-shaped drops would hang below these designs. These Solje pieces represented the sun and were usually worn on the collars or cuffs as brooches or pins. It was common for women to wear as many as three pieces of this jewelry at a time.
The Solje Scandinavian jewellery has now evolved and it can now be found in the form of earrings, necklaces as well as other pieces of jewelry. These jewelry pieces are often presented as gifts on birthdays, weddings as well as other special occasions.
The solje jewelry wasn’t just worn by women but also by men in order to buckle their shoes.
Solje jewelry is still made in Norway to date and each heart and each flower is painstakingly made by hand turning the silver wires. Then, special silver drops are placed on it. Today, earrings, as well as pendants, are also made in this form of Scandinavian jewelry.
Solje is the traditional jewelry of Norway that is usually worn on special occasions, holidays, or weddings. And this form of jewelry is majorly made from sterling silver.
Scandinavian Jewellery – Sweden
The material used for making Swedish jewelry has majorly been silver.
Bridal crowns or tiaras have always been a huge thing in Sweden and the most spectacular part of wedding jewelry. The design of these crowns is majorly inspired by medieval royal origins and the crowns are often made of silver and then gilded.
Angel’s head with wings, leaf pendants, and other such motifs were commonly found on these crowns as well as on other traditional Swedish jewelry pieces.
Sweden also has a rich tradition of unique ancient jewelry and some of its pieces included silver eyes, silver clasps, and gold and silver belts.
Wealthy peasant families owned a lot of these ornaments and they would get passed down from generation to generation. The silver eyes would be kept nicely stored and came out only when a bride was to be dressed on her wedding. These ornaments go back to as early as medieval times but they attained the greatest development during the renaissance period.
Another very common ornament was the clasp, which was majorly used for fastening a jacket or a cloak. Women as well as men also commonly used neck buttons in order to fasten their collars.
Rings, necklaces, belts, and other ornaments were worn only on festive or very special occasions. And also, much like the other ornaments, these ornaments also came out on weddings. A Swedish bride would be covered in silver ornaments from head to toe.
Now that we have an idea of the history of Scandinavian jewellery considering its different regions and eras, let us tell you about its present-day state.
Along with its rich history, the jewelry from Scandinavia is still very much in prominence today and has gained a lot of popularity. There are numerous Scandinavian design jewelry houses selling this kind of special jewelry worldwide. There are also numerous designers belonging to Scandinavia who have left their huge mark on the jewelry industry.
Top Scandinavian Jewellery Brands and Designers to look out for
1.Georg Jensen
A Danish designer, he opened his studio in Copenhagen in 1904. His jewelry was mostly influenced by natural forms of arts and crafts and his designs featured simple minimal silver designs. He also employed several other well-respected designers. Today, Georg Jensen is a very popular jewelry brand not just in Denmark but all over the world for beautiful Scandinavian jewelry.
2.Bjørg
Also founded by a Danish designer Bjørg Nordli-Mathisen, Bjørg is a household name when it comes to Scandinavian jewellery. For over a decade, the brand has been selling beautiful minimalistic yet elegant jewelry. Her earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry tell stories of something old and untold.
3.Sägen
A Swedish brand, Sägen is a very popular Nordic jewelry brand. The brand is the perfect mix of vintage blended with modern style. This brand by Elin Sigrén has fresh and unpredictable style that is also very versatile. The jewelry goes with a number of outfits as well as occasions.
4.Maria Black
Another Scandinavian jewelry designer to look out for is Maria Black. She is a Danish designer whose jewelry designs are minimalistic yet have a certain level of attitude in them. She believes in pushing the boundaries when it comes to jewelry and that has become her mantra.
Line & Jo offers Nordic style sleek and simple jewelry pieces that also have a sculptural twist to them. The brand is known to set jewelry trends in Scandinavia that has brought another dimension to minimalism. Line & Jo is also a fantastic Scandinavian jewelry brand based in Denmark.
Apart from these 5 there are several brands as well as designers that are popular for their traditional Scandinavian jewellery designs.
Conclusion
Here, we told you about the history of Scandinavian jewellery along with its present day state. All in all, Scandinavian jewelry can be defined as something that is minimalistic, simple and yet highly elegant and sophisticated. Silver is the most commonly used metal when it comes to jewelry from this region.
On the other hand, the Viking jewelry from Scandinavia is known to be very bold and unique. While its style may be a lot different as compared to the traditional silver Scandinavian jewelry, both these jewelry types have a charm of their own.
Over to You
Here, we talked about the 21 must-read books on jewellery. Which one of these 21 jewellery books are you the most excited to read?
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Brazil is known for its stunning natural beauty, lush green jungles, iconic carnival festivals, tropical beaches, and much more. So, while brazilian jewelry may not be the first thing to come to your mind when you think of Brazil, Brazilian jewelry is definitely worth knowing about.
Whether you already know a bit about it or have just started exploring the world of jewelry, you are at the right place. There is a wealth of knowledge to know about the jewelry of this region.
Today, jewelry from Brazil is quite popular all across the world. And there are numerous designers from this country who have left their mark in the jewelry world.
But what is it that makes Brazilian jewelry unique and worth knowing of? Well, that is exactly what we are here to explore and let you know of. So, come along, as we explore and let you know everything that there is to know about the jewelry of Brazil.
Brazil has an extremely rich and diverse culture as the country is a melting pot of several different settlers including the Portuguese, indigenous societies as well as Africans. All of these settlers have contributed their own unique cultures over the years making Brazil a beautiful and diverse blend.
The designs that are created by the Brazilian jewelers are dedicated to capturing the prime elements of the domestic Brazilian culture and thus, their designs are uniquely Brazilian.
Along with the domestic culture, the jewelry designers also draw inspiration from nature around. And there is no shortfall of inspiration from nature as Brazil abounds with natural beauty. The Brazilian culture and nature around are what you will see reflected the most in Brazilian jewelry.
What’s more, is that Brazil also has a wealth of gemstones. And being one of the most significant producers of a variety of gemstones, you will find that the jewelry of this country is often embellished with colorful gemstones. The liberally used gemstones give a very colorful look to the jewelry.
Brazilian Gemstones and their History
It is no secret that Brazil is very, very popular for its gemstones and the country has a literal treasure of it. Its history in Brazil began during the early colonization period. It was in 1573 when the gem deposits were found and late 17th century when the gold mines of Sabarabussu were discovered in Brazil. Then, it was a few decades after that, that the first diamond deposits were unearthed in a town that would later be known as Diamantina.
Due to the exploration of gold and diamonds, the mining of gemstones took a backseat until about the 19th century.
In 1822, after Brazil’s independence from Portugal, the Germans immigrated here. These immigrants brought along with them cutting and polishing techniques and that is how the modern Brazilian stone industry began to develop.
Emerald, tourmaline, aquamarine, quartz, and topaz are some of the many gemstones that are very commonly found in Brazil.
It was the latter half of the 20th century that marked the emergence of the jewelry industry in Brazil. It was also in the late 1990s that Brazil started exporting gems to the United States, Europe, India, Japan, as well as, China.
Brazil still remains a significant player in cutting higher-value gemstones with Teófilo Otoni and Governador Valadares being the major centers for it.
Having the perfect geological conditions for mining gems, a huge number of gemstones are mined in this country. Hence, it is no wonder that gemstones also play quite a major role in Brazilian jewelry. So whether it is earrings or finger rings, you are sure to find a number of ornaments studded with these colorful gemstones.
It was during the middle of the 20th century, sometime around the 1960s that contemporary jewelry made its first steps in Brazil. A lot of new industries flourished during this time and the middle class conquered spaces in the working production. The Brazilian culture also developed a lot and so did modernist ideals.
Talking about Brazilian jewelry during this time, the Brazilian gems started gaining a lot of importance. And the immigrants from Europe were responsible for boosting these colored gems from Brazil internationally.
For these first few years, artistic jewelry got a lot of visibility- right from exhibitions in art galleries to television shows and news, it was everywhere.
However, sometime during the 1980s to the 1990s, the artistic jewelry industry in Brazil wasn’t doing too well. A lot of galleries were opened during this time to maintain the market but unfortunately, none of them were actually successful.
Although it was a bleak period for the Brazilian jewelry industry, the start of the 21st century came as a new hope and promise. More number of people started getting curious and began to work as and explore concepts as jewelers.
Jewelry, keeping in view the Brazilian character started taking shape. Artists started experimenting and studying more and the use of organic materials such as wood and seeds also started growing in the idea of Brazilian aesthetic. More and more artistic jewelry galleries opened up in the country. And jewelry is still very much a superfluous item in Brazil.
Brazilian Jewelry Designs
The jewelry designers of Brazil are known to combine various colored stones in a single piece of jewelry to make it look appealingly attractive. This is a very popular look when it comes to the local jewelry market in Brazil and is one of the most recognized Brazilian themes worldwide.
Versatile and fashionable jewelry that blends with nature is very popular among the Brazilian women. Earrings, especially the ones that dangle, are a favorite among them.
Brazilian jewelry is also all about the colors. Jewelry items that have both intense as well as pastel colored gemstones are very loved. So, the many stones that are used in their jewelry include aquamarine, green and smoky quartz, blue topaz, various colored tourmaline stones, and a lot more. Interestingly, despite Brazil being a major producer of emeralds in the world, emeralds aren’t really a popular choice in their jewelry.
Color is often emphasized more than the price of the gemstone when it comes to this jewelry as that is what the customers love the most.
Another interesting aspect to note about the jewelry of Brazil is that its style keeps on changing. Each new season brings with it new styles and collections of jewelry as that is the domestic market’s demand. For example, floral designs are very popular in the summer and spring seasons. In fact, many Brazilian designers also come up with as many as four brand new jewelry collections a year. Not just that but the manufacturing equipment and techniques are also constantly refined and updated.
The 18k yellow gold is the standard material for Brazilian jewelry but now 18k white gold and 18k rose gold are also gaining popularity. Along with gold, silver has also started becoming a preferred choice owing to its lower prices as compared to gold.
Brazil’s vast wealth of gemstones is a huge boon for the Brazilian jewelry industry. The Brazilian jewellery designs that incorporate the Brazilian culture and natural beauty are truly very innovative, making the scenario of jewelry in Brazil very promising.
Brazil is known for some truly unique costume jewelry pieces that can be matched with your favorite outfit. There are several jewelry designer brands offering these gorgeous pieces. There is no dearth of this costume jewelry in Brazil and it is so accessible that it can also be found in shoe shops!
Whether it is beachwear jewelry style or something else, Brazil has it all!
Gothic Jewelry
Gothic jewelry is also quite popular in Brazil, especially when it comes to teenagers. The style of this kind of jewelry is dark yet playful. Such necklaces and bracelets are often layered together along with colorful strands of beads.
There are also quite some Brazilian jewelry brands offering gothic jewelry styles.
Statement Earrings
Brazil jewelry is actually quite known for its statement earrings. And statement earrings are immensely loved by Brazilian women. They add oodles and oodles of grace to any kind of outfit and hence, are quite popular in the country.
If you are looking for statement earrings, those from Brazilian designers should definitely be checked out.
Gold coated
Another peculiar aspect of Brazilian jewelry is that the pieces are often gold coated. Several Brazilian designers have many different types of brushed gold jewelry pieces in their collection. The gold coated or brushed jewelry is also quite popular in the country and you will spot several prominent designers selling them in their collections.
Colored gemstones
While the different trends in Brazilian jewelry might come and go, one thing is constant- the colored gemstones. Whether it is a design centered around the gem itself or a design laden with a few of those, these colorful stones have always been quite popular in the Brazilian style of jewelry, with their reason being quite obvious.
May it be the common or the rare ones, you will almost always find the jewelry of Brazil embellished with gemstones.
Bio/ Eco Jewelry
Jewelry that is made from bio or eco-friendly materials is also quite a trend in the Brazilian markets. And this kind of jewelry is made from materials that are naturally found and items such as seeds are used.
Many indigenous tribes often gather these products and they are then supplied to the jewelry makers. Due to the richness of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, bio jewelry is quite important in the country.
Gold Jewelry
18k gold, whether it is yellow gold, rose gold, or white gold is very commonly used as the base material for Brazilian jewelry. Most stunning Brazilian jewellry pieces are made using this precious metal. No matter whether it is earrings or finger rings, you will find them all made in 18k gold.
Top Brazilian Jewelry Designers and Brands to look out for
H. Stern
H. Stern is probably the most recognized and one of the biggest jewelry brands in Brazil. The company was founded by Hans Stern back in 1945. And today, H. Stern is synonymous with luxury jewelry and has a huge empire.
The brand’s designs capture the free-spirited and creative essence of Brazil. The brand’s designs also express music, dance, fashion, and a lot more. Their designs are made of gold and then embellished with precious stones.
Silvia Furmanovich
Silvia Furmanovich captures the vibrant spirit of her native Sao Paulo in her creations. Her designs also often utilize unique materials like feathers, seashells, as well as, sustainably harvested Brazilian wood. In fact, the designer has also created earrings with real orchid leaves.
All of her designs are very unique and made with insane attention to detail.
Fernando Jorge
Another iconic Brazilian jewelry designer is Fernando Jorge. His designs are some of the most mesmerizing that perfectly capture the naturalistic elements. His creations also make use of colorful precious gemstones like emeralds, quartz, and opal. Quite a lot of celebrities have been spotted donning pieces from his collections.
Hueb
Founded in the 1980s by Fádua Hueb, the brand now has boutique stores all over the world. She specializes in unique and intricate designs that are made using gold and embellished with diamonds or other precious gemstones.
The brand has quite a lot of collections full of beautiful jewelry pieces.
Ara Vartanian
The brand specializes in one-of-a-kind statement jewels that have a very modern appeal to them. Unique double and triple finger rings, octopus rings, inverted rings, and hook earrings are some of the designer’s signature styles.
Conclusion
Hope this article enhanced your knowledge of Brazilian jewelry and gave you a deeper insight into how and what it is. Right from Brazil’s history of gemstone to the country’s most famous designers, we have shared everything with you.
Know more about the unique and beautiful Brazilian jewelry? Let us know!
Over to You
Here, we talked about the 21 must-read books on jewellery. Which one of these 21 jewellery books are you the most excited to read?
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
If jewellery fascinates you, along with having a huge collection of it, reading jewellery books is a good way of discovering your love for it.
Add a little sparkle and shine to not just your bookshelf but also to your life with an amazing read on jewellery. Whether it is about the ancient jewels or a glimpse into the minds of famous jewellers, a glut of words has been written on this subject.
From expert guides on gemstones of the kings to the history of diamonds through the years to the best of modern jewellery, you are likely to find a jewellery book for any and every kind of jewellery that you are passionate about.
If you love jewellery and you love reading then you are at the right place. Whether you plan on getting one for yourself or for someone you love, jewellery books make for a great gift. So, come along, as we tell you about some of the best books on jewellery of all time.
Its beautiful black velvet front cover opens you up to a world of the most dazzling jewels, gemstones, precious and semi-precious gems and minerals. The book is full of stunning pictures of celebrated jewellery, gemstones and other precious objects.
With this book, you get to immerse yourself in the incredible stories that surround these famous, notorious and most-celebrated gems.
Full of spectacular photographs, interesting real-life stories and intriguing historic jewels, ‘Jewel: A Celebration of Earth’s Treasures’ by Dorling Kindersley is an absolute must-read.
The Cartier: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewellery Empire
Whether or not someone is a jewellery lover, Cartier, is perhaps a name that everyone has heard of. One of the most recognized jewellery brands in the world, Cartier is a household name.
In this book by Francesca Cartier Brickell, the author tells the untold story behind of the family behind the gigantic brand. She talks and shares stories of her ancestors- the three brothers Jaques, Louis and Pierre who transformed their grandfather’s Parisian jewellery store into the luxury international brand that Cartier is today.
Jewels & Jewellery
One of the top jewellery books of all time, Jewels & Jewellery is written by Clare Phillips- author, historian and V&A Museum curator. The book was first published in 2000 and then it has gone through several reprints.
The book examines splendid pieces of jewellery right from the early medieval period to the Renaissance period to the twenty-first century designs. Jewels & Jewellery also features exceptional photographs from the Victoria & Albert Museum’s unmatched collection.
With an impeccable amount of research put into it, this book gives you an insight into the evolution of jewellery through the different eras.
Hidden Gems: Jewellery Stories from the Salesroom
A book by Sarah Hue-Williams and Raymond Sancroft-Baker, Hidden Gems is a collection of 40 stories. These intriguing stories are a beautiful blend of art, science, history, and psychology and trace the lives of jewels and those connected to them.
This compilation of stories is a very interesting read, and the combined knowledge and experience of the authors has created this spellbinding read.
Chaumet Tiaras: Divine Jewels
The next on our list of must-read jewellery books is Chaumet Tiaras by Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni. This is an exclusive book that features the most stunning tiaras that were created by Chaumet.
The Parisian House of Chaumet, since 1780, has been one of the most sought-after jewellers in Europe after Chaumet was named the official jeweller to Empress Josephine.
Chaumet has produced over 2,000 tiaras, and this book pays tribute to some of the most fabulous of them.
Lydia Courteille: Extraordinary Jewellery of Imagination and Dreams
With her avant-grade and unusual jewellery designs, Lydia Courteille has been making a name for herself for over thirty years. One of the most amazing jewellery books to read, this book is part biography and part retrospective.
Right from tracing her roots from her birth to her teenage years and to her early career, Lydia Courteille pays homage to her home city. The latter part of this amazing jewellery book takes you on a journey through this designer’s wonderful designs.
Celebrating Jewellery: Exceptional Jewels of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries
Penned by David Bennet and Daniela Masceti, Celebrating Jewellery is one of the must-reads when it comes to jewellery books. The book is a compilation of the most celebrated jewels of the last 200 years of western history.
Right from the tiaras of the Victorian era to the designs of the late 20th century, the book features some of the most iconic jewellery houses such as Cartier and Bulgari.
If you are a jewellery buff, you need to pick this book up.
Fine Jewellery Couture: Contemporary Heirlooms
This book by Olivier Dupon features over 35 master jewellery designers from all across the world. The book also features sketches alongside the photographs of the jewels.
The author and design expert Olivier Dupon has a keen eye and a creative flair and this book of his is a testimony of that. In his book, each designer is introduced briefly and then hundreds of images of his art follow. Whether you are a jewellery professional or an aficionado, you must read this book.
Stoned: Jewellery, Obsession, and How Desire Shapes the World
When we talk about jewellery books, this is yet another amazing one. Authored by Aja Raden, it is the former jeweller’s first-ever book.
A very entertaining read, Stoned takes you on a journey through the history of human desire for what is rare and precious. The author takes into account 8 different jewels that shaped the course of history.
Stoned is a very, very interesting read that is so brilliantly written that it will have you hooked right from the first page.
Jeweler- Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design
The next on our list of the top jewellery books is Jeweler, a book by Stellene Volandes. In the book, the author has focussed on contemporary jewellers whose works she considers to be the most influential in terms of both artistry and expertise.
Jeweler is a colourful mix of the old and the experimental. Stellene Volandes has picked out the most visually impactful jewels, along with a personal introduction of each jeweller.
Ruby: The King of Gems
Penned by jewellery specialist Joanna Hardy, Ruby: The King of Gems gives an insightful look into this precious red gemstone. She shares the tales of the 60 most renowned rubies, ruby jewels. She also gives practical advice on what you should look out for when you buy a gemstone for yourself.
The book is a very beautifully illustrated survey that will take you on a journey right from the mines in Burma to the courts and palaces in Europe. If you are fond of rubies or gemstones in particular then this is one of the must real jewellery books for you.
This lavishly illustrated book is penned down by Geoffery C. Munn and gives you a deep insight into the world of tiaras. Right from how the word ‘tiara’ originated to its transformation from the ancient days to its modern-day status, you can read everything related to tiaras in this book.
The book also features an array of photographs of royal tiaras of the French and Russian Imperial provenances, creations of some of the most iconic designers including Cartier, Castellini, Tiffany and more.
Diamond Jewellery: 700 Years of Glory and Glamour
The book talks about the glorious history of this highly celebrated precious stone ‘diamond’ through the stories of the European rulers. This book by Diana Scarisbrick is one of the best jewellery books especially if you are a diamond enthusiast.
Right from the mid-fourteenth century to the present day, ‘Diamond Jewellery’ explores the powerful people who commissioned and wore extraordinary pieces of diamond jewellery. Exclusive paintings and photographs highlight the diamond jewellery worn by prominent figures such as Queen Elizabeth I of Great Britain and icons such as Elizabeth Taylor.
The Cartier Collection: Jewellery
Penned down by Francois Chaille, Michael Spink, Christophe Vachaudez, Thierry Coudert and Violette Petit collectively, this two-volume book showcases more than 3,000 pieces from the stunning Cartier collection. Right from the 1860s to present day, this book traces thousands of high jewellery pieces from the luxury brand.
Right from Queen Elizabeth to Sir Bhupinder Singh, The Cartier Collection showcases extraordinary pieces from these imminent personalities. If high jewellery is something that interests you then this one is a must-have.
Adorning Fashion
This book by Deanna Farneti Cera is the next on our list of the top jewellery books. The book is a definite and comprehensive guide to costume jewellery and covers all aspects of it.
It talks about the evolution of costume jewellery right from bourgeois France to its present-day state. It is a very lavishly illustrated books that is a must-have for all kinds of jewellery enthusiasts. The book includes a range of remarkable designers such as Dior, Versace, Balenciaga and many more.
The styles of each era right from the Victorian era to the twentieth century are individually highlighted in Adorning Fashion.
Beyond Extravagance: 2nd Edition
Beyond Extravagance by Dr Amin Jaffar is a book that you absolutely must not miss out on as the book talks about the diverse tradition of Indian jewellery spanning over 4 centuries.
This particular second volume highlights more than 400 pieces of fine jewellery and art objects right from the time of the Mughal Empire to the British Raj to the twenty-first century. Some of the key pieces include a ruby and pearl choker made for the Maharaja of Patiala by Cartier, the Shah Jahan dagger, the Taj Mahal Emerald and much more.
This luxurious book is a must-have especially for those who love high jewellery.
Spectacular: Gems and Jewellery from the Merriweather Post Collection
This book by Liana Paredes gives a glimpse into one of the most remarkable collections of jewellery. ‘Spectacular’ will immerse you into the history and design of jewellery and keep you hooked throughout.
The book features exquisite pieces by Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, contemporary commissions from Harry Winston and so much more. One of the must-read jewellery books, it talks about the changing jewellery styles and developments in America as well as Europe.
A book by Juliet de la Rochefoucauld, Women Jeweler Designers celebrates the works of female jewelry designers from all across the globe. The book features works of Coco Chanel, Paloma Picasso, and many other female designers.
The book majorly talks about the works of women jewelry designers of the twentieth century. Every prominent woman designer and her work that you may want to know about is included in this wonderful book.
To know about the stories of these inspirational women and their exceptional work, this book is a must-have.
The Pearl Necklace
The next on our list of must-read jewellery books is The Pearl Necklace by Vivienne Becker. An iconic classic, the book exclusively talks about the ‘pearl necklace’ and about those who made it a part of their wardrobes.
Right from the Renaissance queens to the Maharajas to the First Ladies, you will find stories of all kinds of pearl necklace owners in this book.
Secrets of the Gem Trade: The Connoisseur’s Guide to Precious Gemstones
This book by Richard W. Wise is a must-read if you are into gemstones. If how the best gemologists in the world evaluate precious gems is something you wish to know then you need to grab this book right away.
Rings
A book by Rachel Church, Rings is an engaging book on the evolution of ring designs right from the Middle Ages to today. This beautifully illustrated book talks about everything related to the most-worn accessory, ‘rings’. There are over 200 illustrations in the book right from period paintings and sketches to photographs.
Over to You
Here, we talked about the 21 must-read books on jewellery. Which one of these 21 jewellery books are you the most excited to read?
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
When worn the right way, jewellery can amp up any kind of outfit and kick it several notches up. However, you must know how to choose just the right jewellery and what to pair it with to get the best out of it. And with all the jewellery designs that you have available out there, making just the right choice can often get overwhelming.
But worry not, as we are here to help you out with that and ease out your dilemma. To know what is trending when it comes to jewelry or how to style it in the best way possible, taking the help of the best jewelry websites is always a great idea.
Whether you are just basic when it comes to jewellery or a pro at styling it, everyone could use a little help. So here, in this article, we share some amazing jewellery blogs for some jewellery inspiration that we are sure you will love.
Gem Gossip is a leading jewelry blog by Danielle Miele, a professional gemologist. Located in New York, she has an extensive collection of jewellery from all over the world.
Whether it is antique or vintage jewellery, designer jewellery or celebrity jewellery, Danielle covers it all on her website. If you wish to learn and know everything that is happening in the jewellery world, Danielle’s blog is what you need to follow. Right from jewellery schools to shows to designers to auctions, you will find a lot of jewellery-related stuff on her website.
A serious jewellery enthusiast and a certified gemologist, Danielle Miele’s Instagram page ‘Gem Gossip’ was started back in 2008 and today, she is one of the most popular jewellery bloggers.
Her fine collection of jewellery includes stone-based, antique, vintage, rare jewellery treasures and so much more.
Not just that but she also has jewelry book recommendations, her wardrobe favourites, her Q&A interviews, and a lot more on her website. All of this makes her blog one of the best jewellery blogs in the world.
The next on our list of the best jewelry websites is Gemologue, a blog by Liza Urla. A writer, fashion consultant, model, and globe-trolling influencer, she is very passionate about jewellery.
Based in London, she studied Gemology in New York. Her blog is over 9 years old and she constantly keeps updating it with the latest trends in the world of jewellery. Her immense popularity has also helped her reach the London Fashion Week, which she attended with her face completely covered in pearls and her picture went viral.
Her blog is one of the most visited blogs in the world when it comes to jewellery. Right from her jewellery finds across the world to the trends in vintage, fine as well as fashion jewellery, Liza covers it all on her blog.
On her website ‘Gemologue’, there is a section called ‘Gem Talks’. In this section, Liza Urla interviews jewelry designers as well as other top persons of the industry.
Right from interviews, bridal, jewellery styling, travel and much more, Liza covers everything jewlery-related on her website, making it one of the best jewellery blogs in the world.
3. Voylla
Voylla is a leading jewelry blog based in India founded by Vishwas Shringi. If you wish to know everything about the latest jewellery trends, how to style jewellery and more or if you are just a jewellery-lover in general, following this blog is a must.
Along with having a leading blog related to jewellery, Voylla also has an online store for jewellery as well as accessories.
Right from the latest trends in fashion, jewellery styling for men as well as women, grooming tips and much more, everything is extensively covered on their blog. One of the best jewellery websites, Voylla was founded in 2012. They also have a very wide collection of jewellery on their website that starts at very low prices. Voylla’s USP is luxury jewellery at very affordable prices.
They have an entire blog section where they talk everything about jewellery- whether it is information about our traditional jewellery, how to style it, the latest trends, gifting ideas and so much more. Whether you are looking for information on bridal jewellery, temple jewellery, sandstone jewellery, meenakari jewellery or something else, Voylla is the place that you need to head to.
4. Gem Obsessed
Another blog to look out for everything jewellery-related is ‘Gem Obsessed’. It is a blog run by absolute jewellery and gem-obsessed people.
All kinds of jewellery trends- right from jewellery seen on the red carpet to celebrity jewwllery to all the latest designs by top jewellery designers, everything is covered on their blog.
The most trending type of jewelry is also covered on this jewelry blog. They also post interviews with the top designers of the industry on their blog.
Gem Obsessed’s blog is written, edited as well as curated by Cheryl Kremkow. And it is a blog meant for total jewellery lovers. Whether you want to get information about it, know about jewellery trends around the world or know of the latest jewellery collections or what’s hot when it comes to jewelry, you need to follow Gem Obsessed. They also talk about new ways of wearing jewelry.
Gem Obsessed’s team is always in search for the next shiny thing and dreams of emeralds and alexandrites. All of this makes Gem Obsessed one of the best jewellery websites.
The next on our list of the best jewellery blogs of the world is ‘Ageless Heirlooms’. If you love antique or vintage jewellery then this blog is definitely for you. The blog talks about everything related to heirloom jewellery- right from famous jewelry to auctions to dealers and more.
You can also get all of your information related to diamonds, gemstones, birthstones as well as the different jewellery eras through their blog. The blog was founded by Lauren back in 2006.
This is one of the best jewellery blogs if stunning and grand heirloom jewellery is what interests you. Either way, Ageless Heirlooms’ blog is definitely worth a visit.
The blog also shows some marvellous antique jewellery collections that are sure to awe you. They have up to date information on antique jewellery, vintage engagement rings and much more.
Whether it is knowing about antique tiaras, important heirlooms or the top antique picks, this blog is where you need to head to.
So, go and educate yourself on something new and very interesting through this jewelry blog.
6. Champagne Gems
If you are still looking for the best jewelry websites, Champagne Gems is what you need to check out. The blog was founded by jewellery enthusiast Bebe Bakshi back in 2010. She is a Persian girl based in Melbourne who is a diamond enthusiast and very passionate about high-end jewels.
Through her blog, she shares her opinion and views on different kinds of jewellery, diamonds as well as gemstones from all across the world. On her blog, you will find a lot of information related to jewellery and she covers everything right from events, exhibitions, interviews to bridal jewellery, diamonds and gemstones.
Champagne Gems is like your one-stop destination for anything jewellery-related. She also covers topics like the best gifting ideas, red carpet events and much more.
Bebe Bakshi also interviews prominent people in the industry of jewellery and gemstones and posts the Q&As on her blog.
She also curates collections of high-end jewellery and fine jewellery. And her collections consist of everything right from bracelets and earrings to rings and necklaces. All in all, Champagne Gems is a wonderful jewelry blog that you must check out.
7. Diamonds in the Library
The next on our list of some of the best jewellery blogs is ‘Diamonds in the Library’. The blog is run by Becky Stone, a jewellery lover who went from a career in writing for the government to jewellery-blogging full-time. Becky describes herself as a lady who loves literature and shiny things and discusses the two on her blog and hence, the name.
She covers a lot on her blog- everything right from reviews of jewellery books to guides and tips on buying jewellery. She also covers a lot of tips and tricks on her blog like a better way of packing necklaces, protecting yourself from jewellery frauds, antique jewellery shows and so much more.
Becky also talks about the different kinds of jewellery by its type, its era, its design element as well as its material. What’s more, she also has a directory of jewellery stores on her website.
Becky covers a lot of jewellery-related ground on her blog ‘Diamonds in the Library’, making hers one of the best jewellery websites. Hers is a very fun blog that you will surely enjoy reading.
If you are looking for more Indian jewellery blogs then you need to check out Gehna India’s blog. They have everything jewellery-related that you would possibly want to read. Right from jewellery collections, bridal jewellery, gold jewellery to diamonds as well as other gemstones, there is everything on the blog.
They also have numerous jewellery styling articles like styling lightweight jewellery, styling gemstone jewellery and much more. They also cover the different jewellery trends during the festival season and have interesting articles related to them. Whether you wish to know about wearing jewellery to the office, know jewellery-related myths or something else, Gehna India’s blog is where you need to head to.
Gehna’s blog is maintained by professionals who know the latest trends and information when it comes to jewellery. The huge ground covered by Gehna makes it one of the best jewelry websites.
Gehna actually also sells jewellery and it has a store in Chennai. You can also shop for precious gold and gemstone jewellery on their website.
9. The Jewelry Loupe
If you are still looking for the best jewelry blog then head out to The Jewelry Loupe, a blog by Cathleen McCarthy. She is a jewellery-obsessed writer who writes for magazines, website as well as her blog.
The Jewelry Loupe was started back in 2009 and the blog is meant for all kinds of jewellery lovers, makers as well as for connoisseurs. The blog covers everything right from the history of jewellery, behind the scenes of the hottest jewellery auctions and exhibitions, interviews of jewellery experts to so much more.
Cathleen talks about a lot of jewellery-related stuff including collecting ancient jewellery, how to buy diamonds, how to buy estate jewellery and more.
The Jewelry Loupe is your one-stop for everything that you’d ever want to know about jewellery. While the blog features ‘high jewellery’, they also cover art jewellery and alternate materials. Whether you are looking to know about contemporary or vintage jewellery, diamonds, gemstones or more, you need to head out to this blog.
10. Katerina Perez
The last on our list of the top jewellery blogs of the world is that of Katerina Perez’s, a jewellery aficionado who turned her passion into her career. A globetrotting jewellery enthusiast, she is a well-known personality in the industry.
With over 12 years of experience, she is a prominent jewellery influencer. Her versatile experience makes her an expert in the world of jewellery. If you are a jewellery lover and wish to know more about it, you should not miss out on her blog as she has one of the best jewelry websites.
She covers everything right from diamonds, pearls and other gemstones to interviews and a lot more. She also shares jewellery collections and high jewellery on her website. All information related to auctions, events and exhibitions and key events can also be found on her website. If you wish to know the hottest and latest jewellery trends, head to her website.
In this article, we told you about the 10 best jewellery blogs and the best jewelry websites in the world. So, go on, and get reading and exploring right away.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
An essential oil is the oil extracted from the various parts of a plant like its leaves, flowers, or seeds. Essential Oils are usually obtained through the process of steam distillation. The oil is extremely concentrated, potent and contains the complete ‘essence’ of the plant’s fragrance.
Essential oils have been very commonly used in aromatherapy, cosmetic and beauty products, bath and body products, oral care products, etc. for a long time. But in recent times, the use of essential oils on their own is increasing as more and more people are realizing their benefits.
Right from including these oils in your beauty routine to incorporating them in your bath to adding them to cleaning sprays, these oils have a multitude of uses. However, there are a lot of myths that surround these essential oils as well as several essential oil facts that people are completely unaware of. Here, in this article, we will explore both.
FACT: This is absolutely untrue as essential oils actually have some wonderful benefits. If you wish to dig a little deeper, you can do a quick search on the internet and you will find that there is actually a lot of scientific research to back this claim.
There are skeptics who have taken to the internet claiming that essential oils to be hoax and nothing but a placebo effect. However, that is completely untrue and studies after studies have revealed the many positive effects of using essential oils.
To ensure that you actually get great results from your essential oil, it actually needs to be pure and of an excellent quality.
Myth #2: Pure essential oils can last forever or they never go bad
FACT: This is a myth as no matter how good the quality of the essential oil, it cannot last forever. The oil will eventually go bad due to oxidation reactions, no matter how good or pure it may be.
The shelf life of essential oils is anywhere from a year to six years, depending upon a lot of factors like its exposure to light, air or warmth. Hence, it is always better to use up your essential oils within a few years before they start going bad.
Myth #3: Essential oils labelled as ‘therapeutic grade’ are always better to use
FACT: Well, this is certainly not true as it is one of the essential oil facts that there is no certifying body or regulatory that grades or certifies essential oils as such. If a company labels its essential oils as ‘therapeutic grade’, it is usually done to make their product stand out or make it more appealing to customers.
If, at all, the essential oil is actually of a therapeutic grade or labelled as one, it is actually based on the internal standards set by the company itself and may or may not be checked for quality control by a third party.
So, the important point to keep in mind here is that while buying essential oils, it is important to look beyond the ‘therapeutic grade’ tag. Remember that there is no international standard for what actually classifies as ‘therapeutic’ and hence, you must be aware while making a purchase.
Myth #4: Your skin/ body is detoxing if applying essential oil on your skin leaves a rash/ redness
FACT: Absolutely not! In fact, just the opposite is true in this case. It is one of the essential oil facts that if applying it leaves a rash or redness on your skin, it means that the particular oil is not suitable for your skin.
Any kind of irritation caused by an essential oil is not good and it definitely does not mean that your skin or body are detoxifying. In fact, irritation means a negative response of the essential oil and thus, in such cases, you must stop using it immediately. In such a case, you can also try diluting the oil even more to check whether the irritation still persists. And you must always do a patch test for the essential oil to prevent this from happening.
Myth #5: The order in which you blend the essential oils changes its chemistry and makes a difference
FACT: This is also a very commonly believed myth among essential oil users. However, it is simply not true.
As long as you mix each oil in the exact same proportion, it shouldn’t make a difference- neither in its chemical composition nor in any other way like its smell or therapeutic properties. Simply put, the order in which you mix the essential oils does not matter as long as you are keeping their quantities the same each and every time that you mix them.
So, as long as you keep the compositions same, the results that you get will remain the same too.
Myth #6: Pure essential oils can be used without diluting and can be ingested as well
FACT: This is definitely not true as essential oils are very, very concentrated and thus, should not be used without dilution. Especially the pure essential oils are even more concentrated as they have not been adulterated or mixed with any other kind of oil.
It is one of the essential oil facts that you must always dilute it with either a carrier oil or similar product before you use it as using it undiluted can prove harmful. Since these essential oils are so concentrated, you actually need a very small quantity of them.
The ingestion of the essential oils is a myth as well. If you are going to ingest essential oils, it is very important that you first seek advice from a medical professional if you wish to ingest it for a long term.
Myth #7: Real and pure essential oils do not freeze
FACT: Again, this is not true. If the temperatures are cold enough, even pure and real essential oils will freeze just like any other liquid. The freezing of the oil is no way of judging its quality or purity as pure essential oils are known to freeze as well.
In case your oil freezes, you need to allow it to return back to room temperature naturally before using it.
Myth #8: It is safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women to use essential oils
FACT: Again, this is one of the most commonly believed myths. Most oils, including essential oils are actually unsafe to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. In fact, some essential oils are known to trigger several issues and hence, it’s best that they are kept away from pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The same applies for infants and small kids as well and essential oils should be kept out of their reach.
Myth #9: If you do not like how an oil smells, your body actually needs that oil
FACT: Believe it or not but this actually is one of the most commonly believed myths. And the essential oil facts tell us just the opposite.
While it is true that you need to acquaint yourself with some essential oils before you like their smell, it is completely false that if you don’t like the smell of something, your body needs that oil. In fact, in such a case, you need to avoid using that oil.
Myth #10: The essential oil and the herb that it is derived from will have the same effect on the body
FACT: Well, this is not necessarily true as essential oils actually make up a small amount of the whole chemistry of the plant. And the herb or the plant actually contains more molecules than the essential oil.
And while essential oils are extremely beneficial, it doesn’t mean that they can cure the same disease/ ailment that its herb can.
Some interesting Essential Oil Facts
Even though they are known as ‘oils’, essential oils cannot actually be classified as oils as they don’t really contain any fatty acids.
It actually takes a lot of plant matter to make an essential oil. That is one of the reasons why essential oils aren’t cheap.
Out of all the plant species, only about 1% are known to produce essential oils.
Owing to their antifungal, antiviral as well as antibacterial properties, essential oils make for excellent house cleaners.
Essential oils should never be refrigerated and need to be kept in cool and dry places.
These oils don’t actually mix well with water and hence, you should avoid mixing or diluting them with water.
Essential oils are always stored in dark glass bottles as they can absorb light.
Conclusion
Here, we talked about the 10 essential oil myths and then revealed the essential oil facts to you. We also shared a few interesting essential oil facts with you other than the ones associated with the myths.
Which one of the 10 myths did you believe and which of the facts were you unaware of? Know any more essential oil myths? Then, let us know!
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Since ancient times, gemstones have caused fascination in people due to their sparkly appearance, remarkable strength, and incredible power. These precious stones symbolize love, health, eternal youth, happiness, and protection from evil, each gem specific in its power.
The value of gemstones is generally determined by their hue, hardness, and rarity. Some gems like citrine are reasonably priced because of their abundance, whereas others like diamonds are unbelievably costly. Despite their resistance to regular wear, gemstones should be cleaned, stored, and cared for properly.
In case you are looking for a particular gem, the following list of gemstones will introduce you to the most popular variants.
We hope the guide below helps you explore their physical properties, quality, and symbolism.
Citrine
Citrine is one of the most abundant gemstones, whose specific yellow color originates from the process of iron heating. Its name means lemon in French, referring to the range of tones from honey yellow to brownish. The November birthstone is often used in the production of jewelry due to its abundance and affordable nature.
Although ignored in the past, citrine has transformed into a widely popular gemstone, mainly because of its affordability. It’s thought to protect the wearer and provide him/her with happiness. Also, the energy of citrine plays a major role in concentration and focus, as well as the regulation of one’s immune system and metabolism.
Amethyst
Amethyst is widely known for its violet color, ranging from bright purple hue to deep purple, depending on the amount of iron in the crystal structure. The February birthstone belongs to the quartz family, available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Amethyst was believed to be amazingly precious, more valuable in comparison with diamonds. Nevertheless, after the discovery of the vast amethyst deposits in Brazil and Uruguay, this gem is now considered semi-precious.
Moreover, ancient civilizations, like the Romans, believed this gemstone had the power to impede intoxication, which is why most of the goblets were made from amethyst. Nowadays, this semi-precious stone is associated with meditation, spirituality, and sobriety. You can always research more about the physical properties, geologic occurrence, and care of amethyst gems.
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is an exquisite gemstone that represents the color of the ocean and the sky, ranging from pastel blue to turquoise. This translucent gem belongs to the beryl family, predominantly found in the African continent and Brazil. It’s believed that sailors always took aquamarine on their trips in order to have luck throughout the journey.
Furthermore, this gem is known to be a symbol of eternal life, good health, and faith. Also, it’s thought to provide calmness, reduce anxiety, and minimize anger. Its value is mainly associated with hue, as dark aquamarine gemstones are much rarer in comparison with the pastel blue variants. Consequently, one would pay substantially more for a dark aquamarine gem than for a pale blue precious stone of this kind.
Diamond
Diamonds are undoubtedly the most precious, costliest, and most desirable type of gemstones. Hence, these are used in the creation of fine jewelry, such as engagement and wedding rings. Being a natural earth mineral is what provides this valuable gem with remarkable strength and miraculous light-reflecting properties.
Even though diamonds are recognized for their sparkling clear appearance, these gems can be purchased in a myriad of other hues like pink, red, yellow, and black. The high rating of the diamond on the Mohs scale makes it durable enough to be worn regularly and resist scratches. For further guidance on the color and properties of diamonds, make sure you visit this link, https://www.britannica.com/topic/diamond-gemstone.
While ancient Romans wore such gemstones in the course of battles so as to protect them from evil, nowadays, the diamond is a symbol of eternal love. However, the ancient use of this precious stone is believed to represent its true power, as diamonds have always been appreciated for their hardness and strength.
Emerald
Emerald gemstones are characteristic of their vivid green color, ranging from pale green to a yellow-green hue. Despite their solid hardness, emeralds aren’t considered suitable for everyday wear. Given the rarity of these precious gems, emerald stones are known to be pricier than rubies or sapphires.
The May birthstone is thought to symbolize love and fertility. In ancient times, Queen Cleopatra was infatuated with the power and magnificent look of emeralds. Also, Egyptian mummies wore emeralds when buried in the sarcophagus, as these stones were believed to provide them with rebirth and eternal youth.
How to take care of gemstones?
In order for gemstone wearers to maintain the sparkle of their precious stones, they are supposed to clean them regularly. In spite of their natural resistance to scratches, gems should be handled gently during the cleaning process. One is advised to use nothing but water and dish soap to clean them, as well as a dry cotton cloth to wipe their surface.
Moreover, ultrasonic cleaners are frequently used for the purpose of gemstone cleaning, but these aren’t recommended for all kinds of gems. For instance, emeralds are too delicate to be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner, as they would be unquestionably damaged.
In terms of storage, owners are advised to store their precious stones in separate boxes so as to prevent scratches. It’s paramount for gems not to be exposed to sunlight, as most of these stones are susceptible to fading. Certain gemstones, like opal, are incredibly demanding when it comes to storage, as both light and heat are detrimental to their appearance and condition. When exposed to sunlight for longer periods, opal is known to change its color.
Furthermore, gems aren’t supposed to be exposed to perfumes and hairsprays, as well as to chlorine and bleach. Therefore, wearers should remove all pieces of jewelry before swimming or coming in contact with bleach. Also, toothpaste should never be used for cleaning gems, as their surface will most likely get deteriorated, particularly the fine polish.
Final word
Gemstones will always be adored by people. Purchase a gem that matches your personality!
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Are you on the lookout for some amazing wall decor ideas? Are you wondering how you can take your home decor a few notches up?
Well, think of your walls as a blank canvas that you can fill up with anything that you can possibly think of! After all, whether it is your living room or bedroom space, sprucing up an empty wall can transform its entire look. The right kind of decor has the ability to lift up your spirits and make you feel more at home.
No matter what your style may be, we have some great wall decorating ideas for you. So come on, let’s find them out!
Here, we’ll tell you how you can amp up the walls of your living room, bedroom as well as a children’s room. Let’s get started with your living room first.
Wall Decor Ideas for Living Room
Your living room is definitely one of the most important rooms in your house. Along with spending a significant amount of time here yourself, you may also entertain guests and other people here.
Being the first room in your house, it is the one room that most people will visit. Your living room is one place in your house that will leave a lasting impression on others and speak volumes of not just the rest of the house but also the people living in it. So, it is important that you decorate it carefully keeping in mind the impact that it’ll make. Your living room should be the right balance of being inviting, comfortable and yet go with your personal taste or style.
Here are some top wall art ideas for your living room:
Wall hangings are a great way of adding oodles of style to any room, especially the living room.
These wall decor pieces aren’t just unique and classy but go well with literally every aesthetic. If you love handicrafts, wall hangings are the perfect way to decorate your walls.
If you are wondering how to choose a wall hanging for your living room walls, the best option would be to go for something that contrasts your walls. For lighter colored walls, go for darker wall hangings like this one and for darker walls, go for the lighter ones.
This is one of the best wall decor ideas and would go very well on a wall that is behind your couch.
Another amazing way of decorating your walls is by hanging some mirrors/ plates on them. Mirrors don’t just reflect light but also make a room look much bigger.
Similarly, a few decorative plates will also make an excellent style statement in your living room.
Shelves are also one of the best wall art ideas. You can install either open or closed shelves on your living room walls and then add classy and elegant items like paper mache to them.
These floating shelves will give quite a look to your walls.
Accent walls also work great for living room decor. You can use bright paint color and designs and basically personalize a wall the way you want to. An accent wall perfectly contrasts three other simple walls.
Additionally, you can also add any of the above three wall decor ideas to an accent wall to enhance its look.
Wall Decor Ideas for Bedroom
If you are looking for wall art ideas for your bedroom, we have plenty of them too. Your bedroom is your personal space and thus, make sure that every time you step inside it after a long day of work, you feel instantly relaxed. This style will work for your guest room as well.
Decorating your bedroom the right way can make a bigger difference than you might think. It is a place that you can truly call your ‘own’ and hence personalizing it your own way will only make it cozier and more welcoming for you.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, a wall is a great place to start. Here are some wall decorating ideas that you may like.
1. The Walls Can’t go Empty
Just like the living room, wall hangings go extremely well on bedroom walls too. If you have an overall classy and elegant aesthetic, a wall hanging will just add more charm to it. Even if you have a casual aesthetic, wall hangings make a great addition to it.
A beautiful floral hanging or one with natural accents would go perfectly well on the wall behind your bed or on the one opposite it.
If you love luxurious decor that gives a posh look, handcrafted wall hangings are the best idea. Darker colored wall hangings would complement your bedroom walls amazingly well.
You can also be a little creative here and use handmade rugs or carpets and hang them as wall hangings.
If you are still looking for wall decor ideas, you can also go for a gallery wall. A gallery wall is basically a wall that is filled with pictures/ frames.
For a gallery wall, you can either put up your own family pictures on the wall or decide a theme and select the pictures accordingly. For this wall art idea, you can use pictures/ frames of various sizes so that they complement each other well.
A gallery wall will add lots of personality to your bedroom.
3. Install Shelves
Installing shelves on your bedroom walls is also one of the best wall decor ideas. You can use these shelves to showcase your impressive book collection or even your most cherished art pieces.
Pro Tip: If you are fond of handicrafts, there is nothing like paper mache items to amp up those shelves!
4. Go for a wallpaper
If you want to go for something simple, go for a wallpaper. A wallpaper is a low-risk wall decor idea that still looks pretty great.
Choose a wallpaper that goes well with the color scheme of the rest of your bedroom and your wall is sure to stand out beautifully.
Wall Decor Ideas for Children’s Room
Now that we have talked about wall decorating ideas for the living room and bedroom, let us talk about how you can amp up a child’s bedroom by decorating its walls.
It truly is interesting to decorate kids’ bedrooms and one of the most enjoyable parts has to be the walls. Children’s bedrooms need to be colorful, playful and something super fun to look at. And here’s how you can do that.
1. Use a Fun Wallpaper
A colorful wallpaper with cute prints is one of the best wall art ideas for a kid’s bedroom. You can find an array of wallpapers that will help you create magic in a children’s bedroom. A simple wallpaper can transform its entire look and make the room appear super happy and fun.
You can go for cute prints or even something with bright colors as there is an endless variety that you can choose from.
Wall Decor Ideas to Lift Your Mood 323
2. Paint a Mural
Another interesting way of decorating a children’s bedroom wall is by painting a mural on one of the walls. Murals are fun, colorful, unique and a child is sure to love them.
You can paint their favorite cartoon character, animal or even the world map. The possibilities here are truly endless and you can unleash your creative side to the utmost level.
3. Animal or Bird Wall Hangings
If you don’t want to put in too many efforts and just do something simple and quick yet equally interesting for your children’s bedroom, here’s one of the best wall decorating ideas.
Just put up an animal or bird wall hanging on their wall. It is creative, easy and also very fun to look at.
A quirky wall hanging will add a beautiful edge to any children’s room and make it look amazing. It is also a pretty unique idea as compared to other children’s bedroom wall art ideas. You can also go for multiple wall hangings on the same or different walls to create a beautiful design on the walls.
Shelves aren’t just great for storing toys and other children’s stuff but they also make for great wall decorating ideas.
You can just install a few of them on plain or wallpapered or even painted walls and then doll these shelves up with beautiful decor pieces. Again, decorative items like paper mache would make a perfect addition to your shelves.
Over to You
Here were some amazing wall decor ideas for your living room, bedroom as well as the children’s room. While you might need some time and effort to do a few, the others are super easy and quick.
Out of these super fun ideas, which ones did you like the best? Tell me about it in the comments.
Mir Saeid is the Growth Hacker of Kashmirica, a brand that is poised to ‘Bring Exclusives from Kashmir to You’. An enthusiastic cultural entrepreneur, he is driven by a passion to bring about a social impact. He has a Masters in International Business from the University of Bedfordshire and has worked in leading Marketing positions at various SMEs and Startups for 8+ years.
Intrigued by the crafts of his birthplace, he decided to bring the art on the Global Connoisseur through the internet. A polyglot who speaks English, Arabic, Urdu & Koshur, Mir loves traveling, reading, writing, and spending time on the cricket field – a passion rekindled just recently.
Always a hit among the Middle Easterners and fragrance connoisseurs, oud cologne is now gaining popularity among the westerners as well. Derived from the wood of the agar tree, the best oud cologne is one of the most expensive fragrances in the world.
Its rich and exotic scent is also what makes it one of the most sought after fragrances. Either you absolutely love this strong, musky fragrance or you hate it, there’s no in between! But the ones who love it, take their oud very seriously.
What is Oudh?
Oudh is derived from the agarwood tree which grows in India, Bangladesh as well as some parts of South-East Asia. When this tree gets infected by a kind of mould called Phialophora parasitica, the tree develops a resin as a reaction to this mould. This dark and fragrant resin and the part of the tree that it grows on are what get used to make the oud.
Since only about 2% of the entire population of the agarwood trees gets infected with this mould, oud is quite a rare fragrance. This is one of the reasons why oud carries the price tag that it does! In fact, did you know that it is also popularly known as liquid gold?
Oud oil or scent also takes a long time to be made. And the first step involves immersing the agarwood in water for a few months. After this, its oil is extracted using steam distillation that is done using huge boilers. The oil that is finally distilled from this process is known as Oud.
While some buy it as a luxury, for others, the oud is an absolute necessity. No matter what your reason might be, if you love fragrances, we are sure that this is one fragrance that you won’t ever regret buying!
If you are looking for the best oud perfumes for men, you are at the right place. Whether you are a beginner or an oud expert, you are sure to love these 8 fragrances.
If you are looking for an oud perfume for men, don’t think twice before getting this one.
The White Oud is a relatively modern version of the traditional oud. If you aren’t really into the dark oud fragrance, the white oud is a good option that you can opt for.
A 100% oil based fragrance, white oud is a delicately crafted combination of the musky oud with aquatic notes. Even though it has a subtle woody essence, it is still strong enough.
The white oud is undoubtedly one of the finest scents that you will ever own. Just a little dab of this attar will go a long way in helping you smell amazing for a very long time.
This scent is highly valued for its woody, sweet, aromatic yet complex fragrance. With aquatic notes playing a major role, the white oud is sure to make you feel fresh all day long.
Whether you are an oud connoisseur or not, you should not miss out on this one.
Another one of the best oud perfumes is the Oudh Qadeem al-Hindi. Strong, musky, woody and powerful- an oud doesn’t get any better than this.
A traditional scent from the Arab culture, this one is derived from pure Indian agarwood. Made from the finest agarwood, the Oudh Qadeem al-Hindi attar is extremely precious and rare.
Its enchanting smell is sure to leave you in awe. A premium scent, this one is also sure to leave a lasting impression on others.
The Oudh Qadeem al-Hindi attar is derived using age-old extraction methods, making the scent as good as it gets.
Having a long lasting effect, you can feel its magic even after several hours of application. In fact, just a few drops of it can last for many days.
When looking for an oud perfume for men, this one sure makes the mark. It will make a great addition to any men’s fragrance collection.
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