There are always different opinions about the origin of necklaces. More convincingly, the necklace originated from the custom of "grabbing marriage" during the transition from matriarchal clan to paternal clan in primitive society. At that time, women's social status gradually declined, and men's economic status gradually improved. During the formation of the concubinage system, men often plunder women from other tribes or take women captured in the war as their wives.
The Book of Changes said, I am trapped: "Trapped in a stone, based on thistle; Entering his palace, he didn't see his wife fierce. " After the war, his wife was captured by a foreign tribe. In order to prevent these women from escaping during the war or at night, the winners often put a metal wire or rope shaped like a necklace around the women's neck. After the establishment of the concubinage system, this custom has been preserved in some places, only on the premise of engagement. "Snatching" is regarded as a form of wedding, and those wires or ropes around the neck have also evolved into necklaces and become tokens of engagement.
Another view is that necklaces originated from ancient pearl pickers. Pearl pickers are often naked when they go into the water to pick pearls. For convenience, these clever pearl pickers hang a metal wire or other string around their necks and put the picked pearls on it. Later, people found that the beads on the pearl pickers' necks were very beautiful, so they followed suit and the beads became jewelry specially used for decoration.
As early as 4000 ~ 5000 years ago, our ancestors began to use shells or pearls as necklaces or other decorations. Since then, necklaces have been women's pets. Necklaces can be divided into gold and silver necklaces, imitation gold necklaces and jewelry necklaces according to materials.
1. Gold and silver necklace. It is the main variety of necklaces. There are three common gold necklaces: 24K, 18K and 14K. There are 92.5% silver necklaces and silver-plated necklaces. As far as styles are concerned, gold and silver necklaces mainly include the following types:
① Square wire chain: mostly machined into semi-finished products and then hand-finished. It is characterized by its thin diameter and is one of the best-selling varieties on the market at present.
② Whip chain: mainly hand-processed, mainly made into a 24K gold necklace. At the same time, it is often used as the material of fancy chain. It is characterized by its brawniness and strength.
③ Two sets of chains and three sets of chains: Necklaces with complicated processing technology are characterized by strong three-dimensional sense, elegance and beauty.
④ Fancy chain: This is a new style developed in recent years, and the style changes rapidly, consisting of square wire chain and whip chain with exquisite patterns; There are also rough chains and changeable embellishments of residual flowers; Others are combined with jewels, which are jewel-like, gorgeous and noble.
⑤ Machine-made chain: It is made by machining, and its shape has patterns with different characteristics, such as patterns, streamline, three-dimensional, abstract and so on.
2. Imitation gold necklace: made of nonmetallic materials such as copper, zinc, aluminum and plastic. It has the characteristics of many styles, new shape and low price.
3. Jewelry Necklace: Compared with gold and silver necklaces, it has stronger decorative effect and richer colors. Jewelry used as necklaces generally includes diamonds, pearls, ivory, agate, coral and turquoise.
Necklaces are often equipped with pendants, which, as an integral part of necklaces, can add luster and color to necklaces if properly selected. As far as choosing a necklace is concerned, it is not only expensive jewelry that can achieve the ideal effect. But no matter what style, we should pay attention to the harmony and collocation with age and skin color.
Generally speaking, it is best for the elderly to choose gold and silver necklaces with high quality and fine craftsmanship; Middle-aged people should choose necklaces with strong craftsmanship and medium texture. For example, necklaces inlaid with gems such as turquoise and jadeite can make middle-aged people look young and dignified; While young people are nourishing and energetic, it is better to choose necklaces with good texture and color and new style. If you wear ivory and pearl necklaces, it will appear harmonious and quiet; Wearing other colorful gemstone necklaces will look radiant and different. As for the choice of pendant styles, it is usually more appropriate for older people to choose formal and solemn pendants, such as jade pendants and diamond pendants. Young people should choose vivid and dexterous pendants, such as heart locks, heart-to-heart boxes and abstract geometric pendants.
When wearing a necklace, you must pay attention to the appropriate style and size. Only in this way can we highlight the unique temperament, personality and charm of the wearer, reduce or make up for some shortcomings of a person's face and neck, and create unexpected ideal effects.
For those women with long face and thin neck, you can choose a short and round necklace to widen the face and increase the aesthetic effect; If a woman with a round face or a thick neck wears high-necked clothes, wearing a short necklace will be counterproductive, making her face look too wide and causing the feeling that her neck is too thick. The correct way is to use a slightly longer but not heavy necklace; Or change the style of clothes, such as putting on an embroidered or eye-catching dress, opening the collar, pinning a colorful brooch on the chest and inserting a suitable hairpin on the hairline, which can shift people's attention to the chest or hairline, thus invisibly lengthening the face and producing a harmonious aesthetic effect.
Need to be reminded that when wearing a necklace, special attention should be paid to maintaining the rendezvous switch. Switches are often equipped with steel wire micro-springs, so don't use too much force to prevent the spring from breaking; In addition, sewing machine oil or clock oil should be dripped regularly to prevent rust and affect the luster and beauty of the necklace.