The Specials - Episode 3

Ladies Gift Ideas - Brooches - Amazing and Affordable

lady

Women all over the UK enjoy receiving gifts of jewellery. There's no better ladies gift idea. Selecting jewellery gifts for ladies, however, can present some problems, mostly related to size. For rings, you absolutely must know her size. For necklaces, bracelets and anklets, you need a clear idea of the length she'd prefer. For earrings, you need to know whether she has pierced ears. There is one gift idea, however, that doesn't require a specific size: the brooch or pin. Here's some basic information on brooches that might help you select the perfect birthday gift, anniversary gift, Christmas gift or wedding gift brooch for her.

Brooches through the Ages

The earliest examples of brooches were made of wood or bone. A brooch usually has some type of pin or clip affixed to its back that attaches to clothing to secure it. The Celts, Greeks and Romans all used brooches and people have been wearing them since the early Bronze Age. In the Roman culture, a brooch was called a "spina" meaning thorn. Roman brooches fastened with an inward-jutting piece of metal fastened to the rim. With its sharp tip, the fastener indeed resembled a thorn. Eventually the spina evolved into the familiar safety-pin mechanism that's still used today. During the Byzantine era, the brooch truly emerged as a widely used item of jewellery. The Byzantines brought eastern influences to the design and decoration of brooches, including vivid enamel work. Transported by way of trade routes and carried by nomadic tribes, the brooch eventually spread as far as Britain.

Brooch Materials and Designs

A brooch can be made from just about any metal or material, but historically, precious metals like gold and silver are preferred. It's thought that early man improvised clothing fasteners from thorns or flint. Such brooches from relatively primitive cultures generally carried naturalistic themes that echoed their hunter-gatherer origins. In the modern era, purely decorative brooches evolved. A plain metal brooch is created by casting or hammering malleable metals. In the case of cast pieces, brooches often had ornate designs like filigree or Celtic scroll work. Decorating brooches with colourful enamels or gemstones (real or faux) is common.

Brooches make great ladies gift ideas, especially when you consider their heralded origins. Why not choose a historical reproduction for her that harkens back to the UK's historical roots? Finding amazing gift ideas for ladies is only a mouse click away when you shop on the Internet.