Blinged Out: How Hip-Hop Jewelry Came To Be
Long before Pauly D was sporting big chains on MTV's "Jersey Shore", hip-hop artists had been donning shiny jewelry for their biggest performances and album covers. The first emergence of...
Long before Pauly D was sporting big chains on MTV's "Jersey Shore", hip-hop artists had been donning shiny jewelry for their biggest performances and album covers. The first emergence of hip-hop jewelry came when rapper Kurtis Blow posed shirtless on his debut album cover, wearing six gold chains- some with pendants.
That album, released in 1980 by Mercury Records, solidified Blow's place in hip-hop and brought this gleaming jewelry to the forefront of the rap industry. Before long, other rappers were seen wearing expensive necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings as a sign of their wealth and status in the world of hip-hop.
Why It's More Than Just Jewelry
For centuries, jewelry has held many meanings- from social status to marital status to personal style. None were more well-known for their love of jewels and precious metals than the ancient Egyptians.
Perhaps the most famous Egyptian- King Tut- was buried with several gemstones, gold necklaces, and crowns because ancient Egyptian society believed that certain jewels provided protection in the afterlife.
Even now, people of wealth are buried with some of their most prized possessions. After her 2012 passing, singer Whitney Houston was laid to rest with more than $500,000 worth of jewels- including a pair of diamond earrings estimated to cost $200,000.
Incorporating Hip-Hop Jewelry Into Every Day Life
You don't have to be a celebrity to purchase and wear some of the best hip-hop jewelry in the world. Jewelry designers have seen the overwhelming desire by every day people to sport these attractive pieces on their body.
To reduce costs while still providing superior quality, designers use sturdy stainless steel in place of more expensive metals like gold, silver, and platinum. In place of diamonds and other jewels, more affordable options like rhinestones and cubic zirconia are used.
Although the pieces aren't as pricey, you wouldn't even know it from the excellent craftsmanship used to create them. It will be hard to tell the difference between a gold chain that costs thousands of dollars and one of our high-quality necklaces that cost just a fraction of the price.
If you've been wanting to add a bit of hip-hop swag to your jewelry collection but weren't sure you could afford it, now is the time to search our huge selection of hip-hop jewelry. You'll both feel and look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.
That album, released in 1980 by Mercury Records, solidified Blow's place in hip-hop and brought this gleaming jewelry to the forefront of the rap industry. Before long, other rappers were seen wearing expensive necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings as a sign of their wealth and status in the world of hip-hop.
Why It's More Than Just Jewelry
For centuries, jewelry has held many meanings- from social status to marital status to personal style. None were more well-known for their love of jewels and precious metals than the ancient Egyptians.
Perhaps the most famous Egyptian- King Tut- was buried with several gemstones, gold necklaces, and crowns because ancient Egyptian society believed that certain jewels provided protection in the afterlife.
Even now, people of wealth are buried with some of their most prized possessions. After her 2012 passing, singer Whitney Houston was laid to rest with more than $500,000 worth of jewels- including a pair of diamond earrings estimated to cost $200,000.
Incorporating Hip-Hop Jewelry Into Every Day Life
You don't have to be a celebrity to purchase and wear some of the best hip-hop jewelry in the world. Jewelry designers have seen the overwhelming desire by every day people to sport these attractive pieces on their body.
To reduce costs while still providing superior quality, designers use sturdy stainless steel in place of more expensive metals like gold, silver, and platinum. In place of diamonds and other jewels, more affordable options like rhinestones and cubic zirconia are used.
Although the pieces aren't as pricey, you wouldn't even know it from the excellent craftsmanship used to create them. It will be hard to tell the difference between a gold chain that costs thousands of dollars and one of our high-quality necklaces that cost just a fraction of the price.
If you've been wanting to add a bit of hip-hop swag to your jewelry collection but weren't sure you could afford it, now is the time to search our huge selection of hip-hop jewelry. You'll both feel and look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.