Glass Ancient Roman Bracelets

The ancient Romans loved glittery things and especially jewelry such as Glass Ancient Roman Bracelets. While the men of Rome who exercised good taste confined themselves to a single well made ring, those who had less taste sometimes wore as many as 16. Roman women adorned themselves in all kind of jewelry from necklaces, to earrings, to rings and anklets. Some of the most exceptionally designed Roman jewelry however were the ancient Roman bracelets.

The ancient Romans wore both bracelets around their wrists and arm bands called armlets on their upper arms. Some of the more intricate bracelets of the women were coiled up their entire forearm from wrist to elbow.

Who Wore Bracelets in Rome?

Bracelets and armlets were worn primarily by the upper class women of ancient Rome with one exception. Men going into battle often wore a metal arm band which they claimed was to protect their arm but most modern day historians believe was meant to impress their enemies. Since Ancient Romans loved jewelry the women wore their bracelets as part of their every day wardrobe. One special kind of bracelet the Ancient Roman women wore was worn just above the left elbow.

Types of Materials Use in Bracelets

There were all kinds of materials used to make Ancient Roman bracelets. Gold bracelets were often worn in the form of a coiling snake. Coiled bangle bracelets in gold and bronze were also popular. The cuff bracelet was a hugely popular form of bracelet in Rome and those made of bronze were usually engraved with intricate designs while gold cuff bracelets tended to be more on the plain side. Other bracelets made of gold and bronze were simple twisted metal.

The wealthiest of women wore bracelets of layered bezel set in emeralds. The Ancient Roman Empire became so rich that bracelets featured most of the precious gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires as well as many semi precious stones such as topaz and pearls. Although many precious gems were used most ancient Romans preferred bracelets made of glass that resembled the precious gems, as glass was easier for the craftsmen to work with and therefore they could create more intricate designs.

These craftsmen became so skilled at making glass gems that many people found it difficult to tell the real stone from a glass one. Glass was also extremely affordable which meant that the women who were of the lower classes could begin to wear bracelets as well, giving them a feeling of having something in common with their more wealthy counterparts.

As the ancient Roman Empire expanded they often incorporated gem stones and jewelry designs of other countries into their own bracelets making more and more innovative and intricate designs. Bracelets and indeed all Roman jewelry was a way for the people of Roman to display their wealth as a nation to other countries. This jewelry especially these beautifully designed bracelets were worn with pride.

Ancient Roman bracelets ran the gauntlet from simple plain gold bracelets, to intricately shaped bronze and gold bracelets depicting snake heads and other animals. Precious and semi precious stones were incorporated in much of this jewelry and artisans made beautiful glass bracelets that enhanced the beauty of the women of Ancient Rome.