Origins of Jewelry Names
Why is a necklace called a necklace or a bracelet called a bracelet? Some pieces of jewelry have obvious word origins, like
earrings and
anklets, but the origins of other words are more obscure. I have compiled some word origins and history on jewelry names, but if you have any tidbits of information you would like to add, please feel free to
e-mail me and I will include it. Ready for a little jewelry trivia? Here is it:
Uncommon Goods Level Earrings
Barrette
A barrette is a clip or pin used as a hair fastener. Barrette is a French word that came into use in the 12th century. The 'ette' makes this word a diminutive form of barre, so barrette means 'little bar'. Barre comes from the Latin barra, which means rod. Even today, most barrettes are bar or rod-shaped.
Bracelet
Bracelets are bands that are worn on the wrist. Today, they are usually decorative in nature, but in the past they were more often worn as protective talismen or as wrist protection/support for archery or wielding a heavy weapon, in the form of a bracer. Bracelet is the diminutive form of the old French word bracel, which comes from the latin word brachiale. Brachiale means 'belonging to the arm'.
Vintage Bakelite Bracelet
Brooch
A brooch is an ornamental pin, often large, that is fastened with a clasp. Most brooches are worn by women, but they have been used by men to fasten cloaks and for ornamentation. Brooch can be traced to the 12th century English word broche, which was a pin or sharpened peg. Broche, in turn, comes from the Latin word brocca, which means 'spike'. The word 'brooch' is closely related to the word 'broach', which means 'to pierce'. In fact, 'broach' is a common alternate spelling of 'brooch'.
Necklace
Prior to the year 900, an Englishman referred to his neck as a hnecca. While it may seem that a necklace was some sort of lace worn around the neck, it would be more correct to think of old necklaces as lacing worn around the neck. The difference? The word 'lace' refers to a string used to tie things to together, like lacing boots or skates, rather than tatted lace. Lace comes from Middle English las, which in turn came from the Ninth Century French laz. Laz came from the Latin word laqueus, which means noose. I've worn chokers that certainly fit the description!
Sea Glass NecklaceJewelry
Last, but not least, let's take a look at the origin of the word jewelry. Jewelry refers to jewels. The word jewel came into usage around the year 1250 in England. Jewel is an Anglicized version of the old French jouel, which in turn came from the Latin jocale. The original Latin refers to a plaything or object for entertainment. I find making jewelry fun and entertaining and have seen lots of people idly play with rings or necklaces, so perhaps the original word isn't too far from the truth!
