Handmade crystal bracelets are a popular form of jewelry nowadays. But the use of crystal in jewelry goes back thousands of years. Today, when you wear a handmade crystal bracelet, you are actually engaging in a tradition that can be traced back to the ancients in Egypt, India, the Far East, Russia and North, Central and South America who used them for spiritual, ceremonial or healing rites. Depending on your goal, you may wear the bracelets as a fashion statement, for healing or seeking a spiritual connection. These bracelets can be made from amethysts, amber, jet, turquoise, lapis, garnet, jade, obsidian, ruby, quartz, or any other crystal. Sometimes they are made completely of one type of crystal, from a combination of different colored crystals or even crystals and animal skins. Many of the modern high fashion bracelets are comprised of crystal and silver.
While the ancients used naturally occurring stones in the handmade crystal bracelets, crystals today are not all natural. For the past 115 years, the Swarovski crystal has been a favorite of many jewelers and crystal jewelry enthusiasts. In 1892, Daniel Swarovski invented a cutting machine that was able to create full cut, expertly faceted crystals to be used in jewelry. Working with his wife, they also invented a process by which they combined natural minerals and quartz sand at high heat and then cooled the mixture slowly to create an incredible array of stunningly beautiful crystal.
Whether you want your handmade crystal bracelets to be made of natural or man made crystals, you can choose from a wide variety of styles and unusual color combinations. Some people choose a crystal bracelet featuring their birthstone, while other choose a bracelet of one specific crystal. Amethyst crystals are a popular item, for they have a long history as a healing stone. In the Far East, crystals combined with jade is a popular choice because jade is associated with love. Others prefer malachite or obsidian for their reputed power to improve both outer and inner vision. Some even adorn their handmade crystal bracelets with amulets and talismans and totems like the ancients did, using the crystals to connect them to a higher power.
With stones available in a variety of cuts, including marquis, polygon, or round, and a dazzling array colors and styles, handmade crystal bracelets can be a valuable addition to any wardrobe.
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Swarovski crystal jewelry is a luxury item that many people can indulge in at different price points. At the Swarovski store, a pair of earrings starts at $40, and go up in price from there. Watches are a few hundred dollars, and many necklaces are in the $100-$300 price range. Of course there are more expensive Swarovski pieces, many of which can be seen on movie stars at red carpet events.