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.

Bracelets Unity at NOVICA

Bestseller

Together in Everything, Andean Handmade Sterling Silver Red Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Jose Luis Pariona

(55)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99
Uniting People, Gold Plated Sterling Silver and Blue Topaz Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Alok Jain

(1879)

$117.99 Wholesale

$117.99
Unity and Strength, Thai Handmade Brown Leather Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Chaloemphon

(375)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Silver Handshake, Bali Black Agate and Sterling Silver Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Golden Handshake, Brass and Black Obsidian Cord Unity Bracelet from Bali

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Golden Hands, Adjustable Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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Unity in Solidarity, Tiger's Eye and Sterling Silver Unity Bracelet from Bali

Length: 7"

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

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Three Worlds in Union, Andean Sterling Silver Kintu Pendant Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Jorge Perez

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$27.99
Teamwork Together, Green Jade & Red Cord Unity Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 6"

Ruben and Gilda Perez

(250)

$31.99 Wholesale

~~$39.99~~ $31.99
Silver Handshake, Bali Obsidian and Sterling Silver Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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$49.99
Unity and Harmony, Thai Handmade Black & Red Leather Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Chaloemphon

(375)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Helping Hands Together, Balinese Tiger's Eye Sterling Silver Unity Bracelet

Length: 7"

Dewa Arimbawa

(792)

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$74.99
Chakra Unity, Balinese Chakra Lava Stone Beaded Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.25"

Ayu Ary

(249)

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$25.99
Silver Blue Handshake, Bali Silver & Reconstituted Turquoise Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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Unity in Red, Red and White Glass Beaded Woven Bracelet with Sliding Knot

Length: 5.5"

Wakami

(42)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Omkara Unity, Handcrafted Indian Brown & Blue Terracotta Unity Bracelet

Size: 7" Inner Circ. x 0.5" W
0.5" L x 0.6" W x 0.4" D
6.5" Inner Circ. x 0.5" W

Ritu Thapar

(133)

$25.99 Wholesale

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Blue Silver Handshake, Bali Blue Agate and Sterling Silver Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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$49.99
Uniting People, Indian Sterling Silver and Blue Topaz Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Alok Jain

(1879)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99
Silver Handshake, Bali Tiger's Eye and Sterling Silver Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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$49.99
Silver Grey Handshake, Bali Black Agate & Sterling Silver Grey Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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Building a Bridge, Blue Macrame Black Cord Silver Infinity Knot Unity Bracelet

Length: 7"

Shubhra Singh

(205)

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Silver Beige Handshake, Bali Tiger's Eye & Sterling Silver Beige Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.75"

Henry Anthony Sanny

(238)

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Red Sustainable World, Sterling Silver & Red Faux Leather Eco Unity Bracelet

Length: 7"

Maria Astuhuaman

(15)

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Life in Harmony, Sterling Silver Infinity Knot Black Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.25"

Shubhra Singh

(205)

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Red Chacana Unity, Red Faux Leather Unity Bracelet with Sterling Silver

Length: 7"

Maria Astuhuaman

(15)

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Join in Harmony, Sterling Silver Infinity Knot Grey Cord Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.25"

Shubhra Singh

(205)

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In Solidarity, Handcrafted Natural Maya Amber Unity Bracelet

Size: 7" L (end to end) x 0.4" W

Juan Garcia

(59)

$38.24 Wholesale

~~$44.99~~ $38.24
Together in Strength, Onyx & Green Malachite Unity Bracelet from Guatemala

Length: 6"

Lesbia Back

(6)

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$29.99
Meditation Harmony, Blue & White Macrame Unity Bracelet with Sterling Silver

Length: 6.25"

Neetu Barathi

(1609)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
For Unity, Balinese Black Lava Stone Unity Bracelet

Length: 6.25"

Ayu Ary

(249)

$25.99 Wholesale

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Earth in Union, Handmade Earth Color Beaded Guatemalan Unity Bracelet

Cristobal Ramirez

(336)

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$39.99

Featured Reviews

Sterling silver and obsidian unity bracelet, 'Silver Handshake'

Martha

Aug 17, 2020

Such a beautiful creation of unity!

A truly lovely bracelet, arrived without delay though backordered and inside a pretty bag in which to keep it. The design is simple and also wonderfully executed--the hands securely clasp each other and also the obsidian orb, and the bracelet is easy wear. So glad that I purchased this elegant piece of jewelry!

Sterling Silver Jewelry

Sterling Silver and tiger's eye unity bracelet, 'Silver Beige Handshake'

Darren

Jun 22, 2021

Love It

I get complements on this bracelet all the time. Wonderfully unique, great underlying meaning. This is a favorite of mine. Well made & sturdy, looks great after 6+ months. Ordered another just in case since I am hard on jewelry. Highly recommended

Sterling silver unity bracelet, 'Together in Everything'

SHELLEY

Sep 1, 2020

Love it!

I bought 2 of these, one for me and one for my son. It's completely adjustable so it fits us both. The little hands are so perfectly shaped! Easy transaction so I would order from Novica again.

Beautiful Bracelet

Beautiful Color Jewelry