There is no denying the fact that when it comes to the jewellery industry, mens jewellery takes a back seat when compared to the women’s options. This does not mean that men and jewellery are not compatible. In fact history indicates clearly that be it gold jewellery or silver ornaments, men of almost all eras wore jewellery in some form or the other.
Let us take a look into how mens jewellery has come a full circle by assessing the various reasons as to why men wear these items.
Mens Jewellery – Who Needs/Wants it?
• Cosmetic enhancement – Just like women, men also wear jewellery items like jewellery rings or gold chains or even platinum bracelets in order to enhance their cosmetic appeal. Right from the time of ancient age’s man have worn these ornaments for bettering their appearance. Kings wore as much jewellery as the queens did, while the affluent followed suit by making ornaments likes rings, chains and even bracelets a part of their dress codes.
• Flaunting of wealth – Another purpose that jewellery served for both men and women was the ‘show off’ value that it offered. Gold jewellery held a special position since it was considered an expensive metal and this is also the reason why most precious gems were studded in this metal. Even today jewellery made from gold holds a special place of importance and boasts of a higher possession value.
• Weapon – Mens jewellery often took on the form of a weapon too. The Sikh clan till today wears a particular bracelet that plays the part of a protection weapon. The crown of the king came into existence as a head protective gear. Chains of a particular type were also designed as a weapon of sorts. Many men even today wear jewellery that can be used as a form of a weapon.
• Marital Status- Much like women, jewellery rings are often worn by men in order to highlight their marital status. A man with a ring on his right hand ring finger is taken to be married or engaged. This is very common especially in the Western part of the world.
• Cosmic purposes – There are many cultures where men will wear jewellery in order to attract the right vibes from the universe. More often than not these ornaments are rings with particular type and size of gems studded in it, however, lockets and bracelets are also common in these cases. These cosmic ornaments are supposed to bring in luck and sometimes also good health.
There is no denying the fact that mens jewellery is an age-old tradition that was born along with women’s jewellery. The metro man seems to have popularised this concept once more and challenged designers to come up with their very best in this arena. This is the reason why most leaders of the jewellery industry are creating for men too. Right from cufflinks to bracelets to of course rings and chains, today men are flaunting it all and that too with great élan.
