“Decoration of all times”, or “How the beads appeared”!

1. Beads in ancient times...
2. ...And beads today
3. Properties and features of beads

Beads are one of the most ancient and at the same time widespread jewelry. The principle of their manufacture has not changed for thousands of years. Now there are many varieties of these accessories - everyday, luxurious, in one or more threads, of different lengths, volumes and types. In addition to classic beads for the neck, models have been developed that can be worn on the wrist or ankle. On New Year's holidays, beads are sometimes used to decorate a Christmas tree or hang them on the walls.

But any beads can highlight the taste of their owner and her sense of style. They can transform you - highlight the oval of your face, visually lengthen your neck, make your chest fuller and your shoulders narrower. And this is only a small part of what the right jewelry can do for your appearance!

But before you want to buy beads, let's find out where this accessory comes from and what it looked like in ancient times.

...And beads today

Nowadays this decoration can be seen quite often. The usual accessory looks like uniform beads strung on one or more threads. But there are no barriers to the imagination of designers and fashion designers - modern fashion allows you to make beads from anything. Precious and semi-precious metals, semi-precious and jewelry stones, organic materials (such as coral, bone or amber), ceramics, glass, plastic and polymers - a huge variety of shapes, colors and materials allows you to choose jewelry to suit every taste. You can purchase them in the store or order an exclusive product.

Generally, the material used to make the beads determines their appearance. For example, in order to make glass beads, the master quickly cuts a hollow tube of multi-colored glass with hot scissors. This is how small beads are obtained.

To create beautiful pearl beads, they try to select pearls of the same size and color, without visible external defects, clouding or cracks.

Amber beads are probably distinguished by the greatest variety and richness of colors. From this soft, easily processed mineral, beads of any shape and size can be made - from perfectly regular spheres to polyhedrons, cylinders and plates. Sometimes the master only polishes the stone to remove sharp edges, otherwise preserving the natural texture of the gem.

Coral beads typically consist of hollow rods of varying lengths and colors. Sometimes round and oval beads can be made from especially large corals, but this significantly increases the cost of the final product.

Beads made from natural materials, such as boxwood, solidified lava, ivory, ebony or mahogany, and the seeds of some plants, are also popular. Sometimes they are decorated with carvings, and sometimes they are simply drilled and strung onto a base.

Beads of any shape and size can be made from metal and plastic. Hollow and solid, openwork and cast, decorated, engraved or smooth - craftsmen can make anything you want.

The meaning of beads in old times

In ancient times, beads had a multifunctional meaning. They were worn as a symbol of power and wealth. They were given magical significance and used for witchcraft and the treatment of various ailments. There were times when beads were given unusually high value. So African natives gave gold for glass beads and even sold people into slavery. And the American colonialists bought the entire island of Manhattan from the Indians for multi-colored glass beads. An integral part of the Ukrainian national costume “coralie” - red coral beads - came to Ukraine from Venice. Italian merchants exchanged coral beads for Carpathian larch, piles of which support Venice to this day. Byzantine glass beads were imported into Russia for furs. But the Phoenicians were the first to use beads as a monetary unit. On the territory of Phenicia since 1200 BC. They produced multi-colored glass beads not only for their own needs, but also for barter. It was thanks to the Phoenicians that this decoration became popular in all countries where international trade took place.

Properties and features of beads

As you know, all jewelry made from natural stones and silver have special properties. They even compiled entire books, where they described which gems should be worn and who should wear them. Here are some excerpts from them:

• Agate , collected in a necklace, was supposed to provide a person with good physical and mental health until old age.
• Turquoise is a talisman against eye diseases. Its clear, bright color was associated with the blue of heaven, so the vision of the person who wore it was supposed to be as clear as the sky on a summer afternoon.
• Hematite (bloodstone), according to legend, was formed from spilled blood. Therefore, it helped with wounds, bleeding and bruises.
• Emerald treated for absent-mindedness, inattention and forgetfulness.
• Coral beads are a sure way to please the opposite sex.
• Cowrie shells , as well as glass beads with eye patterns, protected from the evil eye and envious people. They were often attached to the clothes of small children. The same properties were attributed to beads made from coins.
• Carnelian was credited with the ability to pacify intense anger and treat heart disease.
• Amber also protected against evil spirits, and in addition, it relieved headaches and toothaches, healed colds, and helped with throat diseases (the iodine contained in the stone has a healing effect on the thyroid gland).

In ancient times and the Middle Ages, beads were a talisman capable of attracting good luck and protecting against evil spirits. Both men and women decorated themselves with them.

But starting from the 16th century, this decoration finally passed into the category of women's. In the 18th century, they became a mandatory accessory that was carefully selected for every outfit. Having briefly gone out of fashion in the 19th century, beads made a triumphant return in the 20th century.

Now beads are an appropriate and charming addition to a dress, blouse or blouse. Somewhat low, which can be combined in different combinations - a necessary accessory for every fashionista.

Ancient traditions of making glass beads

The Bible mentions the value of glass, equating it to gold and silver. People in ancient times really valued glass and attached great importance to this material, with its endless number of colors and shapes.

Antique glass beads in different styles:

Damascus has long been the manufacturer of the best and most beautiful glass beads. After its fall, Venice became the center of such production, where an entire glass corporation was created in the Middle Ages. A little later, in the Italian city of Murano, jewelers invented a new technology for making glass, the secret of which was strictly and diligently kept. To this day, Venetian beads made from Murano glass are highly valued.

The smallest beads - beads, the quality of which was much better than the Venetian ones, were invented in the Czech province of Bohemia. Czech glass beads became the main competitor of Venice. Here, in the Czech Republic, more than 400 years ago, the world-famous glass jewelry production company Jablonex was born.

On the left is Murano glass, on the right is Czech glass (modern beads):

Beads as decoration are a recent invention

In Europe, beads began to be perceived as women's jewelry in the 16th century and at first were used only on special, solemn occasions. Beads began to be worn as daily decoration in the 18th century. And by the 19th century they were going out of fashion; they were even completely forgotten for some time. But already in the 20th century, beads came back into fashion. The famous Coco Chanel proposed a new trend - a string of pearls - Chanel beads, which suited Madame Coco's little black dress. Since then, beads have practically never gone out of fashion and every woman today wears them as an addition to her outfit and an element of her own image.

JEWELRY - BEADS

What kind of beads are there? | Waxed Cord Beads and Other Basics | How to collect beads? How to string beads? How to attach a clasp to beads? | Modern fashion for beads | Men's beads | Wooden and other beads for children | Beads - felting. Techniques for wet felting of beads and dry felting of beads | Pearl beads - how to wear and care | Glass beads

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Secrets of product care

Natural stone is practically not processed, as it is prone to rapid cracking. Therefore, wearing it should be careful and careful. Turquoise is afraid of exposure to steam and hot water; you should not wear jewelry during water treatments or visiting the sauna. Beads are afraid of contact with cosmetics - creams, body lotions, perfumes. They should be worn only a few minutes after applying makeup and perfume.

The gem must be protected from ultraviolet rays - you should not sunbathe on the beach or visit a solarium while wearing jewelry. To clean the products, simply wipe them with a damp cloth without alcohol. To store them, you need separate boxes to avoid contact with other jewelry items and metals. This will lead not only to the loss of natural shine, but also to a weakening of the magical and healing effects.

According to the principles of Feng Shui, turquoise conceals the combination of two elements - water and sky. And this is powerful energy for unlocking opportunities, potential and implementing any plans.

Therapeutic effect

The miraculous properties of turquoise beads were known in the ancient world, when healers used the mineral in their healing practice. The main secret of its beneficial effects on human health is the content of copper ions in it, which can stop any inflammatory processes and bleeding.

Owners of turquoise should be aware of its unique properties:

• restoration of visual acuity;
• increasing immunity and preventing viral diseases;
• improved sleep;
• rapid healing of wounds, skin ulcers, abrasions with severe bleeding;
• cleansing the lungs;
• eliminating depression;
• maximum absorption of nutrients and nutrients by the body.

It is believed that if you look at the surface of the stone every morning, you can improve your vision and also get rid of any eye ailments. Turquoise jewelry helps strengthen the entire cardiovascular system, prevent heart attacks, and also improve the tone of the entire body. The most notorious optimists are even confident in the gem’s ability to extend a person’s lifespan.

Those who have had a turquoise necklace in their collection for a long time claim that they almost never suffer from headaches or changes in blood pressure. This is a powerful natural remedy for restoring complete harmony - spiritual-emotional balance and physical healing.

Proper wearing of a gem

The owner of the mineral becomes kinder, tries to establish good relationships and does not seek to sort things out through quarrels. To learn to perceive the world softly, a turquoise stone is carried in a wallet, close to the body. So he will help you find the right solution in any situation, feel the situation from the depths. This is facilitated by remote contact with the mineral .

As for health, for treatment or protection from diseases, contact should only be physical, that is, turquoise beads and other jewelry should be worn on the body. This is how protection is established from external negative influences, the evil eye, and poor health.

Turquoise is kept in a visible place in the house. It will protect the space from bad energy and evil thoughts of everyone who enters it. The stone will protect the family from conflicts and preserve tenderness and love between partners.

You need to wear jewelry correctly and in accordance with your zodiac sign . They are suitable for Taurus to reveal talents and creativity. Sagittarians can also feel only favorable energy if they choose white turquoise. It is suitable for Virgos and Pisces, but for Leos it may turn out to be completely unsuitable. Leos themselves are spiritually and physically strong, so they do not need outside help. The action of the mineral will only aggravate internal disagreements and lead to poor health.

Popular models: how and what to wear

The range of beads with carnelian is quite wide. Here you can find completely different models, differing not only in size, but also in the shade of the stone, its shape, and the design of the decoration itself. The main thing is to make the right choice and buy what is right for you.

The most popular model of carnelian beads is the classic one. This is not a long product, usually not exceeding 50 cm in length. This type of beads is called “princess”. Typically, such beads are suitable for any clothing, as they are considered a universal accessory. Ideal for women with a short neck, as the slightly elongated design of the product visually makes it sleeker and longer.

Another universal model is the “choker”. It is extremely popular among young people. The length of the product is no more than 40 cm, it fits snugly to the part of the neck just above the collarbone. Suitable for any neckline, be it a deep neckline or a boat neck. However, unlike the “princess” model, this model is not suitable for those with a short neck, as it will visually make it even shorter.

“Matine” is a favorite model among middle-aged women. Translated from French it means “French morning”, but these beads are also suitable for an evening out. Their length is from 50 to 63 cm, ending at the chest line. Ideal for business style, formal events, plain clothes, shallow necklines.

The “opera” model sometimes reaches a length of 91 cm and is considered exclusively an evening accessory. They smoothly descend below the chest line, making the image more sophisticated and mysterious. For such models, the ideal combination is an evening or cocktail dress. Typically, such carnelian beads are not equipped with a clasp, since they can be very easily put on over the head. "Opera" allows its owner to fantasize with the image. For example, a string of beads can be lowered down the back if it is open, or the product can be wrapped several times, resulting in a multi-tiered decoration.

Carnelian is often combined with other stones to give the beads a more pronounced appearance. Often these are agate, garnets, rock crystal, turquoise, pyrite and others.

How to properly care

Natural carnelian is a very capricious stone. He requires special treatment and care. So that the beads do not lose their attractiveness, and the stone delights with its shine and richness of color, it is important to know how to care for the product:

1. Avoid mechanical damage. Although the mineral is characterized by increased hardness, the product must still be removed when doing homework.
2. To clean the gem from dust and dirt, do not use aggressive chemicals. All you need is a mild soap solution and a soft piece of fabric, such as microfiber, cotton or flannel.
3. The product should be stored separately from other jewelry. Ideally, a wooden box upholstered in velvet.
4. Do not allow cosmetics or perfume to come into contact with the beads. If you are going to wear jewelry, then first do your makeup, apply perfume, and only then put on the carnelian.