Beautiful Ethiopian Jewelry
Ethnic Jewelry
Jewelry has long been used in Ethiopia, as in many countries, as a form of investment. Giving your wife a lot of gold objects, covering her arms with bangles, shows you are rich. It is also a form of insurance, gold and gems do not get destroyed easily by fire or floods. If times are hard you can sell it.
The picture shows an Ethiopian girl dressed up for her wedding. This is from a place called Harar, in the Eastern parts of Ethiopia, and is not the most common form of jewelry. Still- very beautiful.
Of course, women have always appreciated jewelry for its beauty. Traditional jewelry has been used for certain occasions, with traditional clothes. Some basic models have been around for centuries, while others are completely new. Few people visit Ethiopia without buying a little something from a jewelry shop. it is such a part of the culture. As well as very beautiful. Have a look.
Ethiopian Silver Set - Modern style
Very often, jewelry like this is sold in a set. Necklace, ear-rings and a ring.
What about you?
Have you ever seen Ethiopian jewelry before?
Ethiopian Opals
Opals from Ethiopia are fairly new on the market. They are mined in the provinces of Shewa, Wello and Gondar- the northern parts of Ethiopia. If somebody claims to have a vintage opal from Ethiopia, be careful. The mining has been done since mid-90s, therefore all Ethiopian opals are new. The varieties of opal base color include white, yellow, orange, dark red, root beer, caramel. chocolate and everything in between. Ethiopian opal has attracted a small cadre of enthusiasts who have made it their sole specialty or a cornerstone of their business
Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles.
Sonja Henie
An Unusual Kind of Jewelry
The Ethiopian coin with the lion head is well known. In fact, the lion is used even for certain companies, like the local buses. Maybe it comes from the title that Haile Selassie had- the Lion from the Tribe of Judah.
In Israel, Ethiopian immigrants are taught to make jewelery. This is an incentive to help them get going in life, to make a living. Have a look at YvelABSchool
Ethiopian Stamp - Turned into a necklace
This necklace is made with a used Ethiopian stamp, featuring one of the many endemic birds
Big girls need big diamonds
Elizabeth Taylor
Ertitrean silver set - Traditional style
Although this set is from Eritrea, it is also very common in Ethiopia. This kind of style is often used with traditional clothes and hair-braiding for weddings and other occasions. Available in gold and silver, in many different sizes, it is probably among the most popular kind of jewelry in Ethiopia.