Ethnic Jewelry

Jewelry that radiates the essence of a particular region is known as ethnic jewelry. Handmade and unique, this jewelry has a very bohemian feel and includes traditional Indian jewelry, African tribal jewelry, Egyptian jewelry, Thai, and Burmese jewelry. Ethnic jewelry goes far beyond adornment to act as a metaphor for language, ritual, art, beliefs, and ideas.

The myriad regions of various countries are all individual, and showcase their uniqueness in their jewelry. Most Indian ethnic jewelry is created from natural material like gemstones, ivory, bamboo, shells, pearls, beads, and mirrors. Tribal African, Asian, and Middle Eastern ethnic jewelry are large and chunky silver cuff bracelets and some may use animal parts like bones, teeth, nails, and hair in the pieces.

Unique ethnic jewelry items include evil eye pendants, hand pieces, belly button rings or decorations and chains, amulets, anklets, toe rings, nose rings, and worry and prayer beads. Ethnic jewelry is also worn for its metaphysical significance to ward off evil and bring good luck to the wearer.