Power Beads were stacked on the arms of everyone from new age devotees to celebrities to fashion-savvy teens, power bead bracelets were the hippest and most affordable accessory of the year. (1999)

Power bead bracelets, were most popular when worn in groups of 2 or more, composed of different materials, the most popular being semi-precious stones strung on elastic string, each color representing a certain metaphysical quality.

Power beads made from semi-precious stones could cost anywhere from $7 (streets of New York) to the mid 20s. Power beads were also made of wood and were very inexpensive (about $3) and looked great stacked. High end jewelry maker Me & Ro topped the charts with a $600 sterling Sanskrit version featuring 22 beads and the "Wisdom" amulet.

Power Beads came and went but there effects created a unique problem for department and fashion stores. For the first time Fashion-Jewelry (costume jewelry) included semi-precious stones. Semi-precious stones before the Power Beads fad had only been seen in bridge and fine jewelry. Some stores such as Macy's refused to advertise these using the names of the stones, instead they would market them by color. Macy's was afraid that it would confuse the consumer to see colored stones outside of a jewelry case. Plus Fashion, Bridge and Fine Jewelry all have different price points, and mark downs.

During the last half of 2002 the same stores would have pretty much the same problem with Turquoise Jewelry
Click here to learn more about the Classifications of Jewelry

Here's a look at some of the most popular meanings of the stones. Turquoise (bright blue) - Health Tiger's Eye (brown)- Courage & Artistic Ability Rose Quartz (pink) - Love & Romance Jade Aventurine (light green) - Success Clear - Strength & Vitality Amethyst (light purple) - Intelligence Mother of pearl (milky white) - Wealth & prosperity Magnetic Hematite (metallic gray) - Happiness Onyx (black) - Self Control & stability Honey Jade (pale yellow) - Tranquility & patience Carnelian (dark orange) - For PMS Wood - Simplicity & humility

Zoe Metro was the 31 year old, New York City accessories designer who in 1999 ignited the power bead craze with her Stella Pace Inc. line (reaping sales in the "multimillions"). Stars from Ricky Martin to Felicity's Keri Russell donned her bracelets, but copycats using glass and plastic in lieu of the semiprecious stones quickly profited. "I'm sure the people who knock off power beads made a lot more money than we did," says Zoe Metro The Stella Pace Inc. Lines were priced at Bracelets $22.00, Necklaces $45.00 when they first came out.

---

Links :
About Prayer Beads
History of Prayer Beads © IBRAG