In the last two years custom rubber bracelets have invaded our life. And despite fashion gurus pronouncing them a ‘passing fad’ they are still around — and are still climbing the popularity charts. So what makes the custom rubber bracelets so popular? Highly customizable and cheap: those are the two qualities that make these rubber wristbands so popular.

The custom rubber bracelets can be custom-manufactured for any purpose: charity, crowd control, storing medical information, fashion… And the ordinary ones usually cost just around $1 a piece — yes, with all those customized messages and colors.

What are custom rubber bracelets? Well, they are simply colorful rubber loops that can be stretched over one’s palms and worn on one’s wrist. And they usually have some message stamped on them, such as ‘Come Home Soon’ (that is popular with the relatives of American servicemen) or any other message. Some big hospitals even stamp information such as a patient’s name, medication, timings, etc on the rubber band bracelets. This allows the hospital staff to quickly access the vital info without referring to a file in an emergency situation.

Well, that is only one aspect of their customization ability. They can be ordered in any color — yellow, green, pink, black, translucent, glow-in-the-dark… there is a color for everything. The yellow ones are the most well-known, popularized by ace cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. In fact, it was Armstrong’s ‘LiveStrong’ custom rubber bracelets that kicked off the trend of wearing rubber bracelets.

Then followed numerous others: there were custom rubber bracelets for tsunami relief, to show support to American troops, to rally students against bullying, as a tool for crowd control, for just being trendy… Soon there was a flood of those colorful solid rubber loops. By the way, the custom rubber bracelets needn’t be really rubber. They are also made of silicone.

Recently there has been a flood of criticism against the custom rubber bracelets, caused mostly by the numerous rubber wristbands that have been popping up all around with all kinds of silly messages. Does that mean society is getting fed up with the custom rubber bracelets?

Not by a long shot. Custom rubber bracelets are going to be around, whether their popularity rises or wanes. Because they are so useful little devices, that can be put to use in a number of situations. They may go out of fashion or come into fashion, but they will always be around in some form or other, in some situation or another.

About the Author

Shannan Barrett looks behind the mist of fashion surrounding custom rubber bracelets to find why they will be around even if they go out of fashion. Learn more about custom rubber bracelets at http://www.a1-awareness-bracelets.com/custom-rubber-bracelet.html

Written By: Shannan Barrett

Breast cancer is a major health threat to women around the world. The number of women affected by breast cancer is shooting up every year. The sad thing is early diagnosis and treatment can lead to an almost 100 per cent cure rate among those affected by this illness. Often the problem is not the unavailability of treatment for breast cancer, but late diagnosis. Awareness of the symptoms of breast cancer is the only way to assure that every person with the disease will get an early diagnosis. Many charities and cancer foundations have launched breast cancer awareness programs with this fact in mind.

The mass appeal of the LiveStrong yellow cancer bracelets from the Lance Armstrong foundation led breast cancer foundations to launch the breast cancer awareness bracelets. Pink was chosen as the color for these bracelets as an expression of the feminine character. Currently millions of dollars are being generated from the sale of pink ribbons and breast cancer awareness bracelets, which is going towards supporting cancer research and for spreading awareness of the disease.

What makes breast cancer insidious is that there are no clear cut symptoms or criteria that help predict this illness. It doesn’t matter if you have a family history or not, whether you are young or old, you can still get breast cancer. Though age increases the risk of breast cancer, more than 20 per cent of the affected women are those under 50 years.

Even though breast cancer awareness bracelets first came out in pink color, they now come in a variety of colors and materials. Usually the rubber and the silicone awareness bracelets sell for around $1. These bracelets can also be made of pearl, cats eye or any other suitable material and sell for around $30. These metal and pearl bracelets can be used as jewelry, and at the same time they support a cause.

Custom-made breast cancer awareness bracelets on which you can stamp any message that you want are also available. These messages can be of hope, or endurance, or success. Often, the friends and family of the cancer patients wear these bracelets to show their support to the struggling person.

Over the years the sale of breast cancer awareness bracelets has helped many. There are many discussion and information groups online on cancer that are supported by money from the sale of these bracelets. There are ‘fund-free mammogram’ facilities available for those who cannot afford the diagnostic procedure, funded by the sale of these breast cancer awareness bracelets.

Be it a $1 or a $ 30 breast cancer awareness bracelet, it can go a long way in spreading breast cancer awareness.

About the Author

Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a registered nurse and wellness advocate, understands the relationship between awareness and prevention and make breast cancer awareness a top goal! Please visit her site: http://www.buy-awareness-bracelets-online.com

Written By: Lisa Hyde

Italian charm bracelets are a very popular item right now. But, what are they and what do they stand for, if anything. Bracelets in general, whether for special occasions like friendship bracelets, or just beautiful ones like diamond tennis bracelets have been worn for years as a regular pieces of jewelry. Of course, there are many styles and types to choose from. Even children enjoy jelly bracelets. Let us explore the different types that we see commonly today.

Italian charm bracelets are easy to find these days. While people have been making and selling them for a century, they have come back into style with a bang within the last few years. These bracelets are usually made from sterling silver and even at times coated with 18K gold. They are fashioned in links with charms fitting into them. The charms have no limit as to what they can be. Animals, symbols, birthstones, religious articles and more. These bracelets are widely available in every quality and value imaginable. Like any charm bracelet, they are custom made to the things the individual likes. A real sense of personality is evident in charm bracelets like these.

Other types of bracelets include magnetic bracelets, friendship bracelets, and even diamond tennis bracelets. Magnetic bracelets are often made from metals, Titanium, Stainless Steel or Copper. Many people claim that wearing one of these types of bracelets will give you added health benefits. They say that wearing a copper bracelet will increase circulation and benefit your health. While that is not proven, they are still very stylish choices to wear. Children often love jelly bracelets. These, made of plastic are often multi colored and traded among friends. Like friendship bracelets, they are symbols of loyalty. Friendship bracelets are often hearts or charms that are split into two or more pieces. Two (or more) friends each get a piece of the charm. The charms fit together and usually have a phrase of love or friendship on them. Other trinkets and charms are sold along with this type. Diamond tennis bracelets, are just what they sound like. Usually in gold or silver, these bracelets contain diamonds or other gems. Usually the precious stone is in a pattern or continuous single line around the piece.

Adding a beautiful bracelet, of any sort, to your collection is a great choice. There are many types, styles, and choices available to the buyer. And, whether you decide to purchase online or at a local jewelry store, doing some basic research and having understanding of what you are looking for will enable you to make the right choice.

About the author:

Mike Yeager – Publisher – http://www.my-jewelry-4me.com/

Written By: Mike Yeager