Shamballa bracelets are one of the hottest trends in 2011, not simply because the wrist bands are beautiful, but also because they symbolize a centered notice, body and spirit. From the Dirty South’s bad boy Lil Wayne to the West Coast’s godfather of g-funk Spy Dogg, it seems Shamballa bracelets are popping up everywhere we search in fashion magazines, music videos and on the rug.
In an effort to connect with their interior Acid, hip hop artists are start to embrace Buddhist philosophies and fashion. It has also left millions of Americans wondering where these chic disco ball bracelets came from. Behind the beauty lies a deep-rooted religious philosophy that is inspired by the old Buddhist traditions of meditation and exercise.
Mentioned in various old texts, Shamballa represents a quest for religious purity. Buddhists think in a fabulous kingdom, hidden someplace in Interior Asia, that is colonized by merely the most enlightened of souls. Buddhists also think there is a Shamballa in all of us, that specialized thing that inspires us, gives meaning and way to our lives and provides strength and determination to meet any obstacle that blocks our path.
Handmade Shamballa bracelets are highly prized by religious seekers, who create custom pieces that promote their well being. In the middle 1990s, Shamballa bracelets crossed over into common culture thanks to Mads Kornerup, who creates a broad range of unique old Indian and Tibetan jewelry. His 1st hip hop customer was Jay-Z, who immediately ordered a custom bracelet after becoming intrigued by the jeweler’s meaningful artistic and religious expression. Since Mads launched his collection in 2004, Shamballa bracelets have been worn about the wrists of some of the biggest names in the entertainment, fashion and sports industries, from Michael Jordan and Lamar Odom to Heidi Klum and Beyonce.
Another major player in the Shamballa bracelet business is Jannik Olander, who launched his brand Nialya in 2010. Armed with an education in business and a pro background in fashion, having worked for Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, Olander’s Hollywood-made bracelets have recently been spotted on Lil Wayne in his cover on the Rolling Stones, on Victoria Secret model Adriana Lima, on Aroused Jackson during an episode of American Idol and on P. Diddy during a performance at the Man-about-town Mansion.
These profoundly personal bracelets are meant to represent who you as an individual, depending on the materials, colors, shapes and signs that are combined. Hindu and North African symbols like lightning bolts and dragons are frequently incorporated into the design to represent personal characteristics or goals, such as enlightenment or strength.
Shamballa bracelets are typically made from knot braided leather or nylon thread that can be easily altered for size from 7 to 10 inches. The bracelet also features a manual toggle locking device. In true hip hop fashion, celebrities are now blinging away their pave diamond shamballa bracelets, replacing the traditional wood and marble beads with valuable and semi-precious gemstones, such as monochrome diamonds, black onyx, jasper, tigers eye, agate and amethyst.
While the couture lines can retail for thousands of dollars, the recent incorporation of sparkling hematite diamonds and cubic zirconia has made these religious bracelets more accessible to consumers. Designer inspired versions are also made from a variety of metals, including greatest silver, gold and plated brass.
Shamballa bracelets are not merely a perfect way to celebrate your individuality and religious development, but the subtle jewelry part is thus flexible that it can be paired with anything. Celebrities are wearing multiple layers of beads with blinged away watches and pave diamond rings for a more relaxed, everyday search.