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ALTHOUGH jewellery
trends have changed over the centuries, people have always
worn it as a means to advertise their social status and to
look their best during improtant events such as weddings.
Inscription on pottery excavated from ancient Pyu towns
dating back to 500 BCE to 900 CE indicate that upper-class
women wore many kinds of ornaments, such as hairpins, beads,
earrings and belts made of pearls.
Jewellery from the latter years of the era included
necklaces that consisted of strings of beads ornamented with
different kinds of gems, and gold and silver rings.
During the Bagan Dynasty (1044 to 1287 CE) the arts of gem
cutting and goldsmithing were highly developed.
During the Konbaung-era (1752 to 1858 CE) reign of King
Aloungmintayar, many Myanmar women enjoyed wearing gold and
silver.
Women were also fond of wearing silver and gold ornaments
during the Yadanapon rea (1854 to 1885 CE). Those from the
upper classes often wore large, pointed diamond earrings.
Many people in Myanmar have long believed that wearing such
diamond jewellery brings good luck, and so it has become a
popular ornament to wear at weddings.
Until a few years ago one common accessory for brides was a
diamond choker, thought to symbolised wealth and prosperity.
During 1930s diamonds remained among the essential wedding
wear but they was also joined by gold and pearls, which
carried symbolic powers of their own.
Many people believed that pearls would bring peace to the
married couple since they came from water, widely regarded
as symbol of tranquility. This practice has become less
common in recent decades.
Wearing thick golden ankle bracelets became popular during
the ancient Pyu period and remained fashionable for many
centuries. Although the bracelets fell out of favour during
the 1960s, they came into style again in the late 1980s,
particularly in Mandalay.
Because the price of diamonds is so high, the practice of
wearing imitation gems at weddings has become increasingly
common. Even those who wear real diamonds tend not to overdo
it, and goldsmiths now create because designs using fewer
gems.
During the 1990s brides began experimenting with more
colourful gems, jade or pearls. In the last couple years,
however, the trend has circled back towards wearing
diamonds.
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