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 can enclose a magic amulet or sacred inscriptions and can also have special script on the face of the ring. These types of rings afford protection to the wearer and bring good fortune.
Amulet pendants may be in silver, brass, metal or even leather and are another form of African jewelry enclosing a special amulet or talisman. These pendants are worn to afford protection to their wearer, in a similar way as amulet rings.
Tuareg warriors wear large amulets attached to their turbans and protective amulets are also worn by their camels.
Women wear various types of jewelry in their hair, both as a form of adornment and to enhance their beauty.
African jewelry is also 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 an African woman reaches adulthood, she owns a number of pieces of 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.