What makes a women’s bracelet eco-friendly?

Artisans the world over utilize the natural materials at their disposal to create beautiful, sustainable jewelry. Wood, bamboo and dried gourds. Coconut shells, rattan and terra-cotta. Even natural grasses lend themselves to a jeweler's creativity while art glass beads and pendants can be made from discarded bottles. Some artisans reclaim precious silver from photographic negatives. Colorful magazine pages can become tightly-rolled beads protected by a coat of varnish. Always creative, artists craft their bracelets out of innovative, eco-conscious materials.

How do I know if my bracelet is handmade?

Handmade women's bracelets each have their own unique characteristics. Color, texture, size and design all vary. Often, the technique alone will tell you, for example, hand-knotted, braided or woven bracelets. Leather bracelets with cutout motifs or embossing are usually crafted by hand.Thai jewelry by Karen silversmiths shows hand-stamped geometric or floral motifs and beads are usually made of fine silver, which is more malleable than sterling. Similarly, filigree jewelry is a meticulous handcrafted process. Most bracelets with natural, sustainable or recycled materials are handmade. Even some of the most sophisticated and modern gold and silver may be signed by the artist who made it.The most common indicator that a bracelet is handmade is the detailed and intricate design. Novica artisans demonstrate their techniques in the many videos on www.novica.com youll find the links on their product descriptions and also on the artisan bio page.

What bracelet-making techniques have been passed down through generations?

Traditional bracelet-making techniques have been passed down over generations around the world. Women's bracelets in gold and silver are usually crafted with the lost wax technique. The image is sculpted in wax and enveloped in a mold materia. As molten gold or silver is poured into the mold, the wax image melts and the metal takes its place. However coiling fine strands of metal results in Andean filigree jewelry. Balinese artistry applies polished spirals and tendrils as well as tiny globes known as jawan to sleek silver jewelry. And a few contemporary artisans even weave or crochet the slender silver strands.Jade was highly prized by the Maya and still has an important place in modern Guatemalan jewelry. Amber from the rich mines in southern Mexico adorns the women's bracelets, necklaces, and earrings of the area. Macrame and beading are popular everywhere for boho style. And West Africas handmade beadwork is renowned the world over.

Do any women’s bracelets have particular cultural significance?

women's bracelets carried immense cultural significance in ancient times and they still do. In Perus pre-Hispanic societies, gold represented the sun, and jewelry indicated social status and identity, as it also did among the Maya of Mexico and Central America. In India, bangles or kangans showed a woman was married and are a part of the 16 adornments customarily worn by a Hindu bride. Traditional West African beads are a sign of cultural identity. Each one has a meaning and tells a story.Today, women's bracelets are still culturally significant. In India, jewelry often depicts religious symbols and meditative mantras. Balinese bracelets may also depict dragons, thought to be the protectors of the gods, or the Hindu Barong deity, also a protection symbol. Motifs stamped into Karen hill tribe silver encourage living in harmony with nature. The hand-knotted bracelets of Guatemala symbolize friendship but evolved from a silent protest for loved ones missing during the country's armed conflict. Today, friends each tie a bracelet on the others arm and make a wish. The bracelet is worn until it wears out and falls off so the wish will come true.

What are the most popular materials to make women’s bracelets?

Silver, gold, brass and copper have been popular for thousands of years and are often set with colorful gemstones. Artisans in different regions of the world take advantage of unique local resources, such as Brazilian golden grass, leather and coconut shell from Thailand, and carved bone jewelry from Bali. Intricate openwork carving, known as jali, can be seen in bangles from India. West Africa has a long tradition of beadwork, with beautiful beads made from recycled glass and even plastic becoming popular in recent years.

Stainless Steel Bracelets at NOVICA

Dotted Purple, Purple Leather Cuff Bracelet with Dots Made in Thailand

Chaloemphon

(375)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Cool Infinity in Brown, Brown Leather Unisex Pendant Bracelet

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99
Bestseller

Mighty Strength in Black, Leather Strand Bracelet in Black from Thailand

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$54.99 Wholesale

$54.99
Bestseller

Powers of Water, Set of 3 Natural Sandal Wood and Gemstone Beaded Bracelets

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Peach Moon, Handmade Leather and Moonstone Beaded Bracelet

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99
Mighty Strength in Brown, Leather Strand Bracelet in Brown from Thailand

Passaramon

(97)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Ancient Cross in Brown, Leather Cross Pendant Bracelet in Brown from Thailand

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Anchor Strength in Brown, Leather Braided Wristband Bracelet in Brown from Thailand

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Cool Infinity in Red, Red Leather Unisex Pendant Bracelet

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99
Best Friend in Brown, Brown Braided Leather Wristband Bracelet from Thailand

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Worldly Spirit in Black, Black Braided Leather Wristband Bracelet from Thailand

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Aqua Spirals, Glass Beaded Bracelets in Aqua and Other Colors (Pair)

Size: 7" Inner Circ. x 0.5" W

Mirian Zet

(163)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Anchor Strength in Black, Braided Leather Wristband Bracelet in Black from Thailand

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Colors of Costa Rica, Multicolored Agate Beaded Stretch Bracelet

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.3" W

Efrain Espinoza

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99
Determined Spirit, Thai Handmade Tan and Black Leather Wristband Bracelet

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$40.49 Wholesale

~~$44.99~~ $40.49
New York Vibe, Multi-Gemstone Beaded Bracelet in Intense Tones

Efrain Espinoza

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99
Bestseller

Woodland Morning, Handcrafted Green Quartz Crocheted Cuff Bracelet

Size: 7" L (end to end) x 0.8" W

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Dotted Red, Red Leather Cuff Bracelet with Dots Made in Thailand

Chaloemphon

(375)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Stunning Feather in Navy, Stainless Steel and Navy Leather Feather Pendant Bracelet

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
The Road Ahead in Black, Simplistic Leather Wristband Bracelet in Black from Thailand

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$26.99 Wholesale

~~$29.99~~ $26.99
Dotted Brown, Brown Leather Cuff Bracelet with Dots Made in Thailand

Chaloemphon

(375)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Stunning Feather in Brown, Stainless Steel and Brown Leather Feather Pendant Bracelet

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Multicolor Menagerie, Multicolor Glass Beaded Stainless Steel Wire Coiled Bracelet

Size: 7" Inner Circ. x 0.5" W

Mirian Zet

(163)

$27.99 Wholesale

$27.99
Striking Modernity in Black, Modern Black Leather Wristband Bracelet from Thailand

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$34.19 Wholesale

~~$37.99~~ $34.19
Anchor Braid in Black, Two-Strand Leather Braided Bracelet in Black from Thailand

Length: 7.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$40.49 Wholesale

~~$44.99~~ $40.49
Featured Sale

Bold Illusion in Flame, Orange Leather Wrap Bracelet from Costa Rica

Size: 24" L x 0.5" W

Rebeca Zamora

(1)

$35.99 Wholesale

~~$47.99~~ $35.99
World View, Men's Lapis Lazuli and Notched Black Leather Cuff Bracelet

Size: 8" L (end to end) x 1.7" W

Chaloemphon

(375)

$43.19 Wholesale

~~$47.99~~ $43.19
Blossoming Web, Carnelian and Citrine Beaded Flower Bracelet

Size: 6.75" L (end to end) x 4.7" W

Busarin

(145)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Braided Friendship in Coffee, Brown Braided Leather Wrap Bracelet from Thailand

Length: 14.5"

Passaramon

(97)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Magnitude, Men's Tiger's Eye and Black Agate Stretch Bracelet

Size: 7.5" Inner Circ. x 0.3" W

Efrain Espinoza

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99
Sunny Day, Artisan Crafted Carnelian Cuff Bracelet

Size: 6.5" L (end to end) x 0.8" W

Tiraphan Hasub

(931)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Featured Sale

Bold Illusion in Crimson, Red Leather Wrap Bracelet from Costa Rica

Size: 24" L x 0.5" W

Rebeca Zamora

(1)

$33.74 Wholesale

~~$44.99~~ $33.74
Powers of Life, Fair Trade Gemstone 3-Piece Beaded Bracelet Set from India

Sumit Dhawan

(1)

$35.99 Wholesale

~~$39.99~~ $35.99
Featured Sale

Bold Illusion in Aqua, Aqua Leather Wrap Bracelet from Costa Rica

Size: 16" L x 0.5" W

Rebeca Zamora

(1)

$33.74 Wholesale

~~$44.99~~ $33.74
Beaded Night, Black Blue and Green Beaded Steel Wire Bracelets (Pair)

Size: 7" Inner Circ. x 0.3" W

Mirian Zet

(163)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Boho Leaf, Wood Beaded Stretch Bracelet from India

Size: 7" Inner Circ. x 0.3" W

Sabir

(99)

$17.99 Wholesale

$17.99
Roadside Stroll in Black, Hand Crafted Black Leather Wristband Bracelet from Thailand

Length: 7.75"

Passaramon

(97)

$26.99 Wholesale

~~$29.99~~ $26.99
Spiral in Red, Handmade Crystal and Glass Beaded Wrap Bracelet in Red

Mirian Zet

(163)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99

Featured Reviews

Quartz cuff bracelet, 'Woodland Morning'

Rathi Kennedy

Dec 7, 2018

A treasure of joy

I bought the bracelet 2years back.I wore to work and was often praised for the beauty of the bracelet.However,this year I lost the bracelet and was saddened by the loss.I hope whoever who found it will enjoy its beauty.I just purchased another one today and am thrilled to receive the beautiful jewelry.I love the unique design and am so proud to wear it once again!

Stainless Steel Jewelry

Brass Jewelry

Bracelets

Carnelian cuff bracelet, 'Sunny Day'

Shine of beauty!

Yes!got this bracelet today.Just can't describe its overwhelming beauty-handmade with love.I just love your designs.Its so heartwarming to know I am wearing a unique piece of design.Its incomparable.Thank you for your love!

Artisan!

Bold Bracelets

Gypsy Jewelry!

One Of A Kind Bracelet

Orange Jewelry

Carnelian Jewelry

Leather wrap bracelet, 'Braided Friendship in Coffee'

Audrey

Dec 5, 2017

Good Quality

I order this bracelet as a gift for my daughter. It's a lot nicer than the photo. I was surprised how dainty it really is, and the large clip will make putting it on, and taking it off very easy - but it's not too bulky. I would recommend this to a friend.

Jewelry