Bangle
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Bangles (Hindi:Kangan) are ornaments worn mainly by women, but men may also choose to wear, on their arms and wrists. They are usually circular in shape, and, unlike bracelets, are not flexible. The word is derived from Hindi bungri (glass).[1]
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 Ferozabad.
In Pakistan glass bangles are almost all produced in Hyderabad, Pakistan
[edit] Sound of bangles(unfinished)
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The neutrality of this section is disputed. Please see the discussion on the talk page. |
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." [2]
Indeed in certain Islamic customs, a woman isn't even supposed to jingle her hidden jewelry, ie 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 [3].
Heavy gold/silver and possibly glass bangles can be an 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.
[edit] External links
- [4]: a short story where bangles symbolise some of the social codes that apply to Indian women.
