Hawaiian jewelry comes in many forms, from heirloom bracelets to pieces made from native plants and pearls. The jewelry often features themes from the islands, such as flowers, marine life, and cultural symbols. Coral jewelry is less common due to environmental concerns.
There are many types of Hawaiian jewelry. The Hawaiian Islands are rich in biodiversity, culture, and home to a wide variety of artisans and jewelers. Hawaiian jewelry dates back to the rise of the Marquesas, who populated the islands in the fourth and fifth centuries. Copies of his artifacts can be purchased today, along with jewelry made from Hawaiian materials or themed to the islands.
Hawaiian heirloom jewelry has been passed down through the generations since it was first known in the Victorian era. This highly collectible type of Hawaiian jewelry consists of gold bracelets that have names engraved in Old English lettering filled with black enamel. In 1887, Queen Kapiolani and Princess Liliuokalani of the Isles attended a jubilee hosted by Queen Victoria in England. Here, English royals were given gold bangles with black enamel lettering. The Queen and Princess were so in awe of these pieces that they had similar ones made for other royal members of Hawaii. Today people have these custom made pieces for their families.
Some of the islands’ native plants are also used to make Hawaiian jewelry. The koa tree is one of the tallest and oldest trees in the state. It is even considered to predate the arrival of human beings. The wood of the koa tree features a beautiful pattern that makes it an ideal material for rings and other accessories. Some jewelers create rings only from dead or fallen trees so that they do not harm the environment.
Coral jewelry was once a popular item, but it has been linked to the destruction of coral beds, which itself has been linked to global warming. Many jewelers have stopped making and selling coral jewelry to protect their island’s precious ecology. Others only sell carefully harvested coral. Coral can be found in black, gold, red, and pink varieties.
Pearls are also popular in Hawaiian jewelry. Tahitian black pearls are produced by black lipped oysters and are the focus of many pieces of jewelry.
In addition to beautiful natural resources, Hawaii has many different themes that can also be replicated in pieces of jewelry. Hawaiian flowers, especially the Hawaiian plumeria, are always popular. Other native flowers include the hibiscus or “China rose,” the bird of paradise, and the orchid.
Hawaiian marine life includes the Hawaiian honu or green turtle, the Hawaiian dolphin, the humpback whale, and the Hawaiian monk seal. Other items associated with the islands are the Hawaiian slipper, pineapples, warrior helmets, sarongs, hula skirts, Aloha hearts, anything with tiki designs, and of course, flower leis. Many pieces of Hawaiian jewelry are engraved with these images of the island culture; for example, a ring might feature dolphins and pineapples.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
