By Allison Gould on January 21, 2011
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Men and women have always had different reasons for wearing jewelry. As far back as Ancient Egypt, women wore jewelry as a sign of status or wealth, while male jewelry was somewhat more practical. A man of means would often wear a bracelet or a necklace with charms attached to it. These charms were thought to protect the wearer from evil spirits.
During Roman times, a man would often wear a signet ring. Again,cartier love ring yellow gold, the purpose of these pieces of jewelry was largely functional, rather than decorative. The signet ring was used to stamp a seal onto an official document. Nobles of either sex generally wore more jewelry, whether decorative or functional, than the plebeians. The Roman Emperors wore jewelry at most state affairs as a symbol of their power and status.
Even Roman soldiers had a fondness for jewelry. They wore thick bracelets made of leather that were both decorative and protective. Over time, these bracelets became more decorative, depending on the social status of the wearer. A Roman general, for instance, would often wear a bejeweled bracelet made of gold or silver.
What have we learned for this brief history lesson? Well, we have learned that men like and have always worn jewelry, but that they often need an excuse to do so. Few men wear jewelry that is purely decorative. They need jewelry that actually does something, that fulfills some purpose. Enter the watch.
Watches
Men have been wearing or carrying watches since the 17th century. The original pocket watch was designed for gentlemen, meaning they were quite decorative. Sure, they were functional, but they were also status symbols, like most jewelry.
The modern wristwatch emerged from the trenches of World War One. These watches were more functional than they were decorative, as they were used to coordinate battle movements during the Great War. In time, however, the wristwatch became a luxury item. Companies like Rolex and Cartier developed men's watches that used precious metals and stones. They were far more expensive than most timepieces for women.
Where are we now? The watch is easily the most acceptable piece of jewelry for men. Even the most macho man in the room can strap a five or ten thousand dollar watch to his wrist without reservation. Again, the reason for this is because the watch is both functional and decorative. It's more than jewelry, but it clearly is a form of jewelry. It gives a man the option of acting like a proud peacock without anyone questioning his masculinity. In fact, most young processionals own at least two high-quality watches: one for work and one for play.
Bracelets
Men have been wearing bracelets since Ancient Egypt, probably earlier. More often than not,cartier love charity bracelet cost, they were charm bracelets that were used to protect the wearer from evil spirits. But as we mentioned, the Roman soldiers did wear leather bands in battle. Is the bracelet jewelry? Again, it walks the line between functionality and pure, unadulterated decoration.
The most popular bracelets for men these days are gel wristbands. Made of colored silicone rubber, they are also called sports bracelets. Lance Armstrong and Nike have sold or given away more than 70 million yellow wristbands since 2004. These bracelets are much like awareness ribbons in that they show support for people suffering from cancer. They are popular with both sexes, but men are far more likely to wear them. Men proudly display these wristbands at work or on the basketball court.
What about real jewelry? Link bracelets made of precious metals are fairly popular with guys. Yes, they are clearly decorative pieces that serve no function, but bigger chains are quite masculine and a worn widely. These bracelets are often quite plain and they rarely, if ever, feature jewels or other ornaments. A plain gold or silver bracelet is the perfect complement to a nice dress watch.
Necklaces
Necklaces for men are much different than those designed for women. Girls often wear thin chains of varying lengths that may or may not contain a locket or a pendant, while men typically go for plain, unadorned, thick chains. It must be said that a necklace can be a little much when worn in conjunction with a gaudy wristwatch and a bracelet, especially at the office. Most men simply wear a nice, understated bracelet and a watch, rather than all three.
Rings
Men have never been big on rings. Unless they were members of the royal family or they had to leave their imprint in hot wax (signet rings), most are content with their wedding bands. Male rappers and rock stars are the exception. That is not to say, of course, that a guy can't wear more than one ring. Some men wear several. Perhaps influenced by the signet rings of old, most rings that are designed for men convey a message with a specific symbol or design. For example, some young professionals wear fraternity rings to let people know they were members of a fraternity in college.
Clearly, jewelry has had a prominent spot in history for both men and women. Continue this rich history and find your perfect accents now.
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