Silverware and silver jewels were first made in China as early as 2,000 years ago. These dazzling, glittery silver items were ever very important in people’s life.
Silver hair clasps
In ancient China, both men and women had long hair reaching down to their waist. They usually made a hair bun on top, and secured it with a hair clasp.
At first, jade or ivory was used to make a hair clasp which usually had colorful turquoise stones adorned on its end. Later silver was used to craft the hair clasps.
A silver hair clasp had elaborate patterns of animals, birds, and flowers engraved on its surface, which sent good luck wishes to people.
Silver hats
A Chinese Mongolian silver hat was crafted with silver threads and slices. The whole hat was embellished with pearls, gems, emeralds, or coral. About 200 years ago, it was thought to be the most stylish dowry the parents could get for their daughters.
Silver longevity locks
A longevity lock was a kind of neckband worn by children to wish for a happy and long life in ancient times. It came from a colorful cloth band adorned around the wrists to expel an evil spirit. About 300 years ago, silver was used to make a longevity lock which sported a chaplet with some silver danglers dropping from it.
The shape of these danglers varied a lot. Some were like a real lock, and others looked like butterflies. The pronunciation of the word of butterfly in the Chinese language is the same as that of longevity.
Silver rings
Rings in Chinese literally mean “restraint on fingers.” In ancient times, rings were worn by a woman to show that she was owned by her husband.
Later this improper meaning slowly faded. A ring became a piece of unique silver jewelry popular with common women.
A Chinese silver ring is usually engraved with patterns of animals, flowers, and plants. Sometimes it’s decorated with lovely bells or gems.
Very rarely, a silver ring includes three, four, or even nine rings linked together. Wearing them on your fingers is definitely eye catching.
To read more about Chinese silver jewelry, visit this site with some fantastic sterling silver jewelry!
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