bangle

1 jewelry worn around the wrist for decoration [syn: bracelet]

2 cheap showy jewelry or ornament on clothing [syn: bauble, gaud, gewgaw, novelty, fallal, trinket]

English

Etymology

Hindi (baŋgrī) (glass bracelet).

Pronunciation

• /ˈbæŋɡəl/

  Rhymes: -æŋɡəl

Noun

1. A rigid bracelet or anklet, especially one with no clasp.

Bangles (Hindi: Kangan) or Chudi are ornaments worn mainly by women. Indian women, especially Hindu, wear them after their marriage signifying the matrimony.

Some men wear a single bangle on their arms or wrists called as kada. In Sikhism, The father of a Sikh bride will give the groom a gold ring, a kada (steel or iron bangle), and a mohra.

They are circular in shape, and, unlike bracelets, are not flexible. The word is derived from Hindi bungri (glass).http://www.wmich.edu/dialogues/themes/indianwords.htm

Bangles are part of traditional Indian jewelry. In India, bangles are usually worn in pairs, one or more on each arm, and a single bangle is rarely sold. They are made of numerous precious as well as non-precious materials such as gold, silver, platinum, glass, wood, ferrous metals, plastic, etc. Most Indian women prefer wearing either gold or glass bangles or both in combination. Bangles made from plastic are slowly replacing those made by glass, but the ones made of glass are still preferred at traditional functions such as marriages and at festivals.

Gold bangles are most popular with Indian women. They range from plain and simple to extremely artistic and intricate. They are often studded with precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, gems and pearls.

Sets of more expensive bangles that are made from higher quality contents of gold and silver make a substantial jingling sound. In the case of cheap, imitation jewelry, these tend to make a tinny sound (in contrast with a more substantial sound) when jingled.

Normally, a bangle as worn by people around the world is simply an inflexible piece of jewelry worn around the wrist. However, in many cultures, especially in the Arabian Peninsula and in South Asia, bangles have evolved into various types in which different ones are used at different occasions.

Glass bangles are mostly produced in only one Indian city called Firozabad in North India.

In India, Hyderabad has a historic market for bangles called as Laad Bazaar.

In Pakistan glass bangles are almost all produced in Hyderabad, Pakistan

Sound of bangles

There are different sounds of bangles, besides the classic clanking of plastic and metal bangles. Heavy Gold bangles are known to produce an attractive tinkling sound. For example, Sharon Alouf, a famous jeweller, has praised the high frequency pitched noise of gold bangles (most likely real gold she is wearing). To this day, the jeweller claims, "the sound of bangles clinking together is very soothing to me. It always reminds me of motherhood." Alouf is even partial to particular tones. "Gold produces my favorite sound," she says, "the pitch is higher and clearer, which I find energizing." http://archives.cnn.com/2002/SHOWBIZ/News/04/01/style.charms/

Indeed in certain Islamic customs, a woman isn't even supposed to jingle her hidden jewelry (i.e., her armful of bangles). In certain Hindi songs, and in certain bollywood movies, there is talk about the love of someone's bangles. It is important to known how jewellery sounds as a person could identify how precious the metal is. One red flag to watch for, for example when purchasing beads such as Balinese jewelry is to check to see if the silver content is low or if the bead is produced by inferior supplies and equipment. "Beads make a tinny sound (rather than a more substantial sound) when you jingle them in your hands", quotes a jeweller http://www.ninadesigns.com/bali_bead_info/jewelry/what_is_bali_bead.html.

Heavy gold/silver and possibly glass bangles are believed to be aphrodisiac for fetishists who are aroused by the clinging sound. Note that normal metals ie that are for sale in cheap markets, nickel, copper, and iron don't usually produce a substantial soft bead sound. It is unclear if plastic bangles can be an aphrodisiac. As said much talk has been made in romantic songs and movies about the sound of bangles. Glass bangles tend to make a lot of noise.

Types of bangle

There are various types of bangles available on the market. Primary distinguishing factor for these is the material that is used to make the bangles. This may vary anything from glass to metal to lac and even rubber or plastic. Traditionally bangles were made of various types of metals like gold, silver, bronze etc. Bangles made from gold are considered the most expensive ones.

Another factor that adds to the price of the bangles is the artifacts or the work done further on the metal. This includes embroidery or small glass pieces or paintings or even small hangings that are attached to the bangles. The rareness of a color and its unique value also increase the value. Bangles made from lac are one of the oldest ones and among the brittle category too. Lac is clay like material which in molded in hot kilns-like places to make these bangles. Among the recent entrants are the rubber bangles that are worn more like a wrist band by youngsters while the plastic ones are there to add the trendy look.

References

anklet, armlet, beads, bijou, bracelet, breastpin, brooch, chain, chaplet, charm, chatelaine, circle, coronet, crown, diadem, earring, fob, gem, jewel, locket, necklace, nose ring, pin, precious stone, rhinestone, ring, stickpin, stone, tiara, torque, wampum, wristband, wristlet