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There are countless different groups of people and cultures throughout the world. On one continent, in one country, you can find varying languages, traditions and ways of life.

Each culture might have their own way of dress, and along with it, their own distinct style of jewelry. Whether the culture’s jewelry has faded away and is now seen as only pieces of history, or whether the styles are still worn proudly today, looking at different cultures around the world and how they express themselves through jewelry is a fascinating journey.

Native American Jewelry: After Columbus made the mistake of thinking that American was really India and thus dubbing the native people “Indians,” it took awhile for the term “Native American” to be embraced. One thing has always been certain: The Native American culture has a flare for creating beautiful and distinct jewelry. Turquoise is often used in the pieces created, and is set against a simple silver or gold. Necklaces often feature ropes of small, rough turquoise beads and animals like bears and eagles are featured in simple pendants. Earrings often have the dreamcatcher design; an interweaving of threads that legend says are supposed to catch and hold your dreams.

African Jewelry: African jewelry gets is simplistic beauty from using the most natural materials available. Polished wooden bracelets, bone bead necklaces and coconut disk hair bracelets are just a few of the things you may see in a country like Nigeria. Ethiopian crosses are featured on more commercial jewelry, and some feature amber, a commonly found stone in Africa. Where glass and brass are available, they are shaped and hammered into earrings and pendants, the glass is often sanded down into colorful beads for a necklace or bracelet.

Tibetan Jewelry: Tibetan jewelry finds its origins in the spiritual rather than in the materials used to make the jewelry you may see. Much if the jewelry seeks to teach its wearer that the truth lies inside of them, according to legend. The Om symbol often adorns pendants, meant to capture the first frequency that created the universe. The Tibetan knot is seen as the cause and effect that runs through everyone’s lives, as well as encompasses the wheel of karma. Some necklaces features Tibetan words stamped or pressed into silver or gold, and held by a simple black cord. If more natural symbols are used, it is common to see leaves and trees.

Celtic Jewelry: Celtic jewelry continues to enjoy as much popularity today as it did when the symbology, designs and legends first came to life. Celtic patterns like triskles, crosses and intricate knotwork adorn rings, necklaces, earrings and bracelets, and the material they are featured on isn’t nearly as important and historical as the designs themselves. Celtic squares are often seen in the form of shield knots and they are supposed to help in keeping evil spirits at bay. Celtic spirals symbolize rebirth or the cycle of life. Celtic circles represent the eternally related circle of life and death.

Hawaiian Jewelry: Hawaiian jewelry is renowned for its emphasis on shells. Thick ropes of varying types of shells (most commonly puka shells) can be found everywhere from tourist shops to exclusive online retailers. Hawaiian jewelry also features thick nut necklaces, often made from kuki nuts. Any more contemporary earrings and other jewelry often feature symbols of the island: palm trees, frogs, turtles and flowers. On the finer side, black pearls are a rare and stunning choice for rings or Hawaiian earrings, as are anything that incorporates coral from the depths of the ocean.

No matter which cultural style you are drawn to, you can be sure to find a stand-out and historically beautiful piece of jewelry.

By: Leigh Maher

About the Author:
L Maher is a content writer who writes and researches about gorgeous and extraordinary Celtic jewelry, as well as Irish culture and history. Get more information regarding Celtic rings.

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