There are various types of collar necklaces, The cabaret type however are usually made with seed beads the one shown here on the right and left are ones I acquired in Guatemala, however the designs on it seemed, to me, to be very Egyptian looking. The one on the left is more of a contemporary design.
Bib Necklaces
Bib necklaces are often very popular with Middle Eastern Dancers. They often have fringe or jingly things that move well or make noise when you shake. They also spread color to the neck causing a more even balanced effect to your costume. If your costume is rather plain it also helps to "jazz" it up a little.
Chokers
Chokers are great to wear with really "busy" costumes because they generally don't have a whole lot of danglies or fancy designs and that allows them to add color but not be distracting. There are a lot of great designs and colors of chokers and they can also be worn well with other necklaces.
Pendant Necklaces
Pendant necklaces are necklaces the have something suspended on a chain. These are necklaces that work well in dance as well as everyday life. You don't need to go out and but expensive fancy jewelry just for dance (although some of us do use that as an excuse to do it anyways), you can use these everyday pieces. You can wear them alone or with other necklaces. They work great with chokers. I have four different examples here for you to see. On the top left we have a simple circular pendant suspended on a velvet cord, this necklace could also fall under the choker category. Then below it is a pendant made out of amethyst and silver beads suspended on a very simple silver chain. Then on the top right we have the ever-popular cartouche suspended from a gold chain, and for those who are wondering what it says... it says my name, Cassandra. Then bellow that is a simple heart pendant made out of a very rare stone, Purple Jade. And then another more decorative Silver Heart Pendant on the bottom right.
Rhinestone and Jeweled Necklaces
Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but Rhinestones are definitely a dancers best friend. These are my personal favorites when it comes to dancing. They always catch the smallest amount of light and sparkle during performances. They are amazing little pieces of glass. I have many different types of necklaces but my largest collection is my rhinestone collection. They go with every color costume and almost every style. On the top left is an Indian necklace. Right below it is a necklace, which is an abalone shell, shaped like a heart and surrounded by rhinestones. On the bottom left are rhinestones connected together to form a "Y". On the top right is a rhinestone necklace with a faux sapphire. Directly below that is a rhinestone necklace, which tapers down in a nice “V”, this one really move well when you dance. On the bottom right is a simple design inlaid with rhinestones. As you can see there a large variety of Rhinestone jewelry pieces. Even the simplest piece can be used. There are so many great designs that can be utilized. Hopefully these examples give you all sorts of new ideas for what to wear with your costumes.
Fringe Necklaces
Fringed necklaces are great for dancing there are increasingly more of there and the styles vary immensely. On the top left are two that are made with bead strands and leather strips I think they are stunning pieces that you don't see everyday. On the bottom left is another interesting piece, which is made with metal beads that are formed into a rectangular shape with a design in the middle using wire and suspended on chain with dangling chain on the ends. On the Top right is an example of a type of necklace, which is commonly used with a cabaret "bedlah"(suit), if you want to make one click here. Below that is a cute little necklace, which is a chain fringe with, beads on the ends, it's a very contemporary piece which works very well with the dance. These are of course only a couple examples but the possibilities are endless.
Tribal
Egyptian Collar Necklaces
These Necklaces are great tribal pieces. They are not only very ethnic and authentic looking but beautiful as well. The only problem is that they have become increasingly more difficult to find. The ones that come from Egypt now are made with large plastic beads instead of realistic clay or faïence beads. In fact I have never really seen a collar necklace made with the clay beads, I hand made all of my collar necklaces. Unfortunately the beads for making them can be hard to find. In the one pictured to the right I used Scarab Beetle beads, which I think add a nice touch.
Egyptian Bib Necklaces
The Egyptian bib necklaces are one of my personal favorites for tribal dance. Like the collar necklaces the are or were made with faïence or clay beads which make it a great ethnic and authentic piece. Although the collar necklaces are hard to find made out of clay beads the bib necklaces are still fairly easy to find I have been able to purchase them on several occasions, but I still like to make my own. The one to the left is the first bib necklace I made. Many times you will find bitty bells or charms hanging from each opening.
Afghani and Pakistani Necklaces (sometimes called Kutchi)
These necklaces are probably the most common to tribal dancers. They are beautiful pieces, which are made by hand in Afghanistan and Pakistan often by the nomads. They are often full of intricate metal work and stones or glass almost always adorn them. There are many types of these necklaces so it’s hard to go into detail about them but I have included several pictures for this type of necklace on both sides of this paragraph. The ones on the right and the top left, I have been told, are Afghani while the one on the bottom left is Pakistani. All three of these are good and different examples of "Kutchi" jewelry.
Indian Necklaces
Indian jewelry also makes good tribal wear. They have a lot of nice beaded necklaces and some similar necklaces to the Afghani and Pakistani necklaces, but my favorite are the jingly coin necklaces, like the one to the right. These are great for dance, their shiny, their noisy, their pretty, and their ethnic. What more could you ask for.
Shell, Bone, and Bead Necklaces
When your trying to put together a tribal or Renaissance costume your jewelry should be things that are natural, that were not really man made as much as earth made. What I mean by that is... things like shells, bones, natural wood, clay, and to a small degree metal beads. A string of shells or natural beads makes a great accent to a tribal costume. Just think when buying or making jewelry "would people have had access to these types of materials during the middle ages?" I say this because many times the gigs that tribal dancers do are for Renaissance Fairs, and you should try to look authentic or "period" as they say. To the right is a necklace that is made up of natural painted wood beads and a few metal beads to accent the necklace.
Earrings
Caberet
Cabaret earrings can be many different styles, types, and colors. Old costume jewelry works well. Often you will see people wearing earrings that dangle, so they move well when you dance or rhinestone/jeweled earrings, that catch the stage lights and sparkle well you dance. I have several examples of earrings I use with my cabaret costumes on both the left and the right.
Tribal
Tribal earrings are very diverse in the styles, types, and colors. Gypsies are often depicted with large hoop earrings making them a classic with tribal dancers and renaissance
re-enactors. Earrings with coins are very popular also, there are many pictures painted by the French orientlists, which depict women with earrings that had coins or at least small metal circles dangling from them. Any ethnic jewelry can be utilized here. My favorite types are probably ones based on ancient Egyptian designs.
Armbands
Caberet
Cabaret Armbands have a pretty standard look. They generally look similar to the one on the right. You'll probably see the one on the left often too. Sometimes the more tribal looking armbands will even work with a cabaret costume.
Tribal
Tribal Armbands are more varied in their looks. In fact it's more of an anything goes thing. Commonly you'll see armbands made of coins, wire that's been bent and twisted into shapes, and wire with coins and sometimes beads dangling from them. But I have seen many other types. Sometimes there are armbands made with shells, charms, and many other unique items.
Bracelets and Cuffs
Caberet
Bracelets
Chain
Many people have a woven or twisted chain bracelet. These a very good for dancing and work with both cabaret and tribal costumes. You can wear one or several at a time. And they look very elegant.
Rhinestone
Rhinestone bracelets are one of my favorite things to wear because they catch a lot of light and sparkle as you dance. You can wear one or several at a time and are very elegant.
Beaded
Beaded bracelets are often easy to make or buy and work well with cabaret costumes. You can make them to match any costume and there are many different styles. I have made several beaded bracelets for dance.
Other
Here are some other bracelets commonly used in cabaret dances the one on the right is made with little metal circles that are linked together and has sequins attached the one end. On the left you'll see a charm bracelet that has little fish on it. It's not exactly a traditional type piece but those fish are just so cute and shiny. It catches light surprisingly well.
Cuffs
Metal
Metal Cuffs that are used in cabaret dance are generally more delicate than those used for tribal dance. They are often thinner and may have fancy designs on them.
Bead & Sequin
These beaded and sequined cuffs are probably the most common to Middle Eastern Dancers. Many costumes come with these pre-made specifically for the costume but they are also fairly easy to make. If you would like to learn how to make them click here. The picture to the right is just one example of this type of cuff bracelet; there are many other styles.
Tribal
Bracelets
Bangles
Bangles are great for tribal dance. They are traditional jewelry from India and have been used by women for centuries. Bangles are simple bracelets that are often just a plain piece of metal, possibly with a design stamped in it, as in the picture on the right. However, if you have access to any Indian shops, you can probably find some really fabulous pieces. For Mid-Western dancers a great resource is Devon St. in Chicago, Illinois; it's where I got the bangles on the left. Bangles can be worn one or two at a time but are usually worn in large numbers as in the picture.
Chain
Woven, Twisted and Specialty Chain bracelets are also good for tribal dance because they are pieces that could have been made before modern technology. They work for both cabaret and tribal dance and are very beautiful and elegant to wear.
Cuffs
Cloth
Cloth Cuffs are a nice piece for tribal dancers they can be very ornate or very simple. They are easy to wear and bring color down though the arms. These look very good with a Turkish Macedonian vest, especially if they’re made out of the same material.
Metal
Metal cuffs are probably one of my favorite things to wear for tribal costumes. They can be made with shells on them or just metal welded into an intricate pattern. The one on the right is an African cuff covered with cowrie shells.
Anklets
Caberet
Bead & Sequin
These are probably the most commonly seen anklets for cabaret costumes. They generally come pre-made specifically for your costume. If you would like to learn how to make them click here. The ones shown here are only a couple types of anklets, there are many more styles out there.
Rhinestone
By now I'm sure everyone knows how much I love rhinestones. Anklets with rhinestones are great for catching light when your ankles show. There are many different styles that you can wear, and I think the more sparkles the better.
Beaded
Beaded anklets are easy to make and can go with any costume you want, simply by choosing the beads to match and creating it yourself. The one pictured here is a simple design but, I have seen them much more ornate and sometimes with fringe.
Tribal
Cloth
These simple anklets can add color to your ankles and give something to catch the eye when your ankle peaks out. They are comfortable to wear and easy to make. If you would like to learn how to make one click here.
Chain
Chain anklets are great for tribal and cabaret dancers they are simple and natural enough that they can be used for tribal dance and shiny enough to be used for cabaret dance.
Bitty Bell
Bitty bell anklets are probably my favorite anklets for tribal dance. Not only do they have sparklies they also make the cutest little tinkly sound when you walk. They can be used almost as an instrument when you dance.
Belly Chains
Belly chains are used by some dancers to draw attention to the stomach. I have never really cared for them but some dancers wouldn't go on stage without them. I only own one, which is pictured to the right. It is the typical design, a long chain with a charm or jewel of some sort dangling from it. Both cabaret and tribal dancers can use these but I've seen more cabaret dancers utilize them then tribal dancers.
