African jewelry is distinctive, unique and original.
In Africa, jewelry is worn to enhance beauty and as personal adornment.
Jewelry also also defines social status.
Jewelry styles, shapes and size are varied and some African jewelry has protective functions, in the form of amulets or talismans.
Both men and women wear rings. There are many shapes of rings, such as the simple band, the signet, the clover or the heart shape ring. A person will choose the shape that pleases them.
African jewelry includes some very special rings that are protective amulets. These rings enclose a magic amulet, or have magic script inscribed on the face of the ring. Men and women wear these type of rings for protection and to bring good fortune.
An amulet pendant may be in silver, brass, metal or even leather and is another form of African jewelry that encloses a special amulet or talisman. These pendants are worn to protection their wearer in a similar way that amulet rings do.
Tuareg warriors wear large amulets attached to their turbans and particular amulets are worn by their camels as well.
Women wear in their hair, both as as a form of adornment and to enhance their beauty.
African jewelry is an important form of portable wealth. Women own pieces of jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets that are easily transported when the need arises.
By the time that a woman reaches adulthood, she owns a number of pieces of African jewelry. As a young girl she owns very few pieces, but later in life, she will receive jewelry from her mother and is gifted other pieces of jewelry by her new husband when she marries.

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