Latest trends in Jewelry are cultural pieces!

Since the birth of the Social Networking age, much of the way we live and do things are being affected.   We see new trends being set as people of different cultures across the globe are instantly united through technology.  People no longer have to travel to experience another's culture, our neighboring countries are now as close as your computer to gain access and explore.

The whole world is becoming united through technology and social networking.  We see cultures being blended with others as people are becoming more curious and henceforth enlightened in regards to how other people outside their own culture live.  When a culture is visited, they take away something sacred and unique and blend it into their own culture.  Therefore an exchange and blend of languages, food, music, spirituality and fashion are some of the major lifestyles that are affected.

When Shardhi examines the latest trends in Jewelry in keeping up with what's current for our consumers, we see at the forefront a cultural trend now becoming very fashionable, and Shardhi strives to serve on that platform.  After much research, we're glad to inform you that the latest jewelry trends have been sacred cultural pieces from the Indian culture are now being made fashionable for the everyday woman.  And when you want to see the latest trends, the best way is to see what our celebrities are now wearing.

Our traditional Indian bride above is wearing many sacred pieces that are now a part of today's fashion.  Let's look at each piece, and who's wearing them today, and Shardhi's creation.

The Bindi:

Bindis have become very fashionable in the western world.  Traditionally worn by Indian brides as a sacred gesture to that culture.  It signified status or religion in South Asia and are still worn by these women but in a more light-hearted role.  It is today popularly called Body Adhesive Jewelry and often uses the traditional Bindi name in our western culture. Shardhi will launch its own version of the Bindi Adhesive jewelry the end of March.

The Shringrar Patti

The Maang Tikka

The shringrar patti is a 3-part tiara which consists of the center piece the maang tikka and is worn about the head.  Very popular in our western culture today as a fashionable jewelry often called Head jewelry or Head chain.  Shardhi's version of the Head Jewelry is a lovely piece.

The Hathphool

This gorgeous hand jewelry is seen a lot in our western culture today.  It is a bracelet that connects to a ring. It is popularly called the slave bracelet in our western culture as it certainly bears a resemblance to the handcuffed bracelets slaves used to wear in our own culture.  Please note Shardhi's simple version of the slave bracelet.

The Body Harness

This item is not necessarily from another culture but our very own.  The body harness jewelry was fashioned after the safety body straps used as safety measures strapped around the body for protection while bungee jumping, mountain climbing, window washing etc..  Note Shardhi's version next to the one worn by Rhianna. 

Stay tuned as we explore other cultural pieces that have now become fashionable in our own culture today.  These were the more popular selections that Shardhi have included in their ethnic line.

Guide to Jewelry Sizing

So you're trying to purchase jewelry online and you find a great necklace you like.  The description says the necklace is 18" and you have no idea how the necklace will fit when fastened around your neck.

Well here's what you need to know.  All necklaces and bracelets are usually measures from one end to the other when fully stretched out including the clasp, regardless of the style.  As illustrated to the left with the multi-strand necklace.

There are various lengths of necklaces.  See the illustration below to get an idea, depending on your build, where the different lengths might fall on your body.  Please note that a necklace made with large beads will fit closer than one with smaller beads even though they both may be the same length.  Larger beads take up more space when worn, so a 20" necklace may seem more like a 19" - 18", the same principle applies to bracelets.

There are different style necklaces that categorizes different lengths.  Chokers are ususally 14 - 16", Standards are 18 - 22", Matinees are 24 - 28", Operas are 30 - 38", and Ropes, which can be worn wrapped doubly around the neck are 40" and over.

Sizing for men. For men, the necklace should sit at the collarbone when it is worn with an open shirt collar. If worn with a pendant or medallion, the chain should be slightly longer. Men’s chains generally measure between 18 inches and 20 inches in length for a necklace that will sit at the collarbone.

Sizing for children. Children's necklaces are usually 14 - 16".

BRACELETS

There are standard sizes that bracelets are made in.  Use a tape measure to measure comfortably around the wrist and add 1" - 1 1/2" to determine a bracelet size that is good for you.

Very small wrist: 6 1/2" (165mm)

Small wrist: 7" (178mm)

Medium wrist: 7 1/2" (190mm)

Large wrist: 8" (200mm)

X-Large wrist: 8 1/2" (216mm)

Cuff bracelets are claspless and usually fit snuggly around your wrist.  To find your size for a cuff bracelet, simply measure your wrist.  *NOTE: This applies only to Leeleeko Jewelry claspless cuff bracelets.

Understand your jewelry clasps or fasteners!

Have you ever wondered about those little things that fastens or closes your jewelry?  They're called fasteners or clasps and is often overlooked when choosing jewelry we buy especially online.  Sometimes the online store will include the clasp in the description but unless its included in the picture, we don't have a clue what they look like.  Well here's a listing:

When I first started jewelry making, initially I started designing everything using the Lobster Claw or the Springring, as they were the most popular clasps I knew.  But the more I became a seasonal jewel designer, I realized that each clasp worked better only with certain jewelry and not with others.  For example, the barrel clasp which is something you have to screw on to fasten your jewelry cannot be used on bracelets since you need both hands to screw both ends of the clasp together.  I quickly learned that for bracelets, you have to use clasps that can be applied with one hand, such as hooks or toggles.  And depending on the size of the bracelet, it may be best to use a Springring or Lobster claw as opposed to hooks.  And likewise for necklaces.

Consumers on the other hand should find it handy to understand the different clasps and fasteners on a jewelry before they purchase them.  I knew a woman who was not able to wear a certain necklace or bracelet if no-one was home to fasten the Lobster claw for her, she suffered from arthritis joint pain and was not able to maneuver the jewelry to fasten the clasp.  She eventually asked me to change out all her spring and lobster clasps for hooks.

A good tip when purchasing jewelry on location is to try fastening the jewelry for yourself, if permitted, and see if you are able to do so comfortably on your own.  If purchasing online, make sure to contact the vendor and ask them to give you information on the type of clasp used if it is not provided in the description.

On our website, we include the kind of fastener for each jewelry, a picture, and a link to understand how each clasp is used.  Visit the following link for a quick read: http://shardhi.com/clasps.htm on how each clasp/fastener is used.