The key difference between jewellery and ornaments is that jewellery refers to decorative items that are worn to adorn the body whereas ornaments are small objects that are used to decorate or adorn a place or another object. While the main use of ornaments is to decorate a place, jewellery may also have other uses. Let’s look at these uses and other different properties of jewllery and ornaments in this article.
What are Ornaments
Ornaments are small objects that are used to decorate or adorn something. Ornaments make something look more attractive, but they don’t have any other practical purpose than being decorative. Small decorative objects such as figurines, vases and decorative plants that are kept on tables, fireplace mantels, etc. are examples of ornaments. Ornaments can help to make a house look attractive and decorative. Christmas decorations can be also described as ornaments. Moreover, jewellery is also a type of ornaments.
In art and architecture, ornament refers to a decoration that is used to embellish parts of a building or object.
What are Jewellery
Jewellery refers to small ornaments or decorative items that are worn to adorn the body. Jewellery is typically made from or contains precious gems or metals. Some examples of common jewllery include
Necklaces – worn around the neck
Rings – adorns the finger
Bracelets – worn around the hand
Anklets – worn around the ankle
Earrings – adorns the ears
Brooches – attached to garments
Hair pins – attached to hair
Although jewellery is mostly worn for decorative purposes, it can also have other objectives such as indicating status and wealth, carrying symbolic or personal meaning (love, luck, mourning, etc.), indicating some form of religious or social affiliation, acting as a talisman, etc. For example, most married couples in the West wear a wedding ring on the ring wear and married Hindu women wear a necklace which is called a mangala sutra or thaali. In addition, some jewellery like brooches, hair pins, and watches also have functional purposes.
Jewellery is worn by both men and women; however, adult women tend to use more jewellery than men or children. The jewellery worn by men and women also tend to be different in styles and designs. For example, women’s jewellery tend to have more gemstones than men.
Indian Jewellery
What is the difference between Jewellery and Ornaments?
Definition:
Jewellery refers to decorative items that are worn to adorn the body.
Ornaments are small objects that are used to decorate or adorn something.
Purpose:
Jewellery may have functional and symbolic purposes other than decorative purposes.
Ornaments only have a decorative function.
Place:
Jewellery is worn to adorn the body.
Ornaments are used to decorate household items.
Examples:
Jewellery includes rings, necklaces, brooches, earrings, etc.
Ornaments include figurines, vases, Christmas decorations, etc.
Materials:
Jewellery is traditionally made from gemstones, beads, pearls, precious metals.
Ornaments can be made from a variety of materials.
Image Courtesy:
“230269” (Public Domain) via Pixabay
“Indian Bridal Jewellery Set 1” By Prototypehumanoid – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia