Whether worn as a symbol of personal style or to commemorate a memorable moment, necklaces and pendants remain significant in jewelry trends. Popular culture often has an enormous influence on these trends.
Throughout history, chain necklaces have been used to showcase a variety of decorative pendants and semi-precious stones. A tube bail is the most common and can be decorative or simple.
Origins
Since ancient times, chains have held ceremonial, religious, magical, and funerary meanings. The earliest gold chains were found in the tombs of ancient Babylonia (modern-day Iraq) royals.
Throughout the middle ages and into the Renaissance, men wore long chains strung with amulets to display their status. Leonardo da Vinci even made a chain-like bracelet for his wife, Beatrice.
Necklaces were a popular item of jewelry for both men and women until the late twentieth century when male rappers brought back big chains with diamond pendants that signaled wealth. The style swept through the fashion world and has remained one of the most popular looks for men and women today.
A pendant is a jewelry article hanging from a chain and can be any shape or form. MRK is one of the first designers to create novel and modern takes on the pendant trend, which can be worn as a symbolic medallion or talisman.
Styles
Chains with pendants are an iconic statement from the layered Coco Chanel style to the bulky industrial chokers of modern times. Men, in particular, love the look of a chunky gold chain hung with a simple pendant and a few lucky charms.
The earliest necklaces were strings of organic materials like shells, bones, and teeth. But as time passed, more precious materials, such as gold and silver, were used. By 300 BC, the elite upper classes wore chains adorned with precious gemstones and charms.
By the Renaissance, long chain necklaces were popular for men and women. Decorative pendants illustrating religious scenes, saints, and landscapes were ordinary. Naturalistic jewelry featuring recognizable flowers, fruits, and leaves also became fashionable. These designs were reminiscent of the Art Nouveau movement.
Materials
Many different materials can be used for chain jewelry. However, the chains best used with pendants are gold, silver, or platinum. These metals have beautiful properties that make them stand out even without a pendant hanging. Some chains, such as herringbone or rope, look beautiful. Others are too delicate to hold the weight of a heavy pendant.
In the eighteenth century, necklaces often included a pendant and were part of a parure with earrings and a brooch. During this period, people valued their jewelry greatly and believed it had protection properties.
A pendant is a jewel suspended from a chain or any other piece of jewelry. It can be in any shape or size. Most pendants are worn as good luck charms or talismans against various dangers and supernatural forces. Some are even thought to protect against diseases and other health issues.
Symbolism
Symbols are simple representations of items in the world that convey ideas or feelings. For example, red symbolizes love, and yellow is associated with joy. Likewise, a lion can represent courage or majesty, and a black cat can indicate bad luck or spookiness. Symbols are used in literature to add emotional weight and complexity. They can also conceal themes that are too delicate to be stated openly.
In ancient times, necklaces made of shells and stones were worn to display wealth. Later, fashioned beads were popular. The Egyptians even wore beads with amulets to protect them from the evil eye and other dangers.
The chain was a popular jewelry piece in the Middle Ages. It became a mark of status and was enhanced by rings, pendants, and clasps. Leonardo da Vinci’s design improved on the standard chain, and it became one of the most famous jewelry pieces of his day. Today, chains are an integral component of bracelets and necklaces.
