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The Romeo and Juliet Bracelet tells the famous and tragic story of Shakespeare's star-crossed teenage lovers whose deaths reunite their feuding families. The story is as popular today as it was when it debuted over 400 years ago. This special Opera Bracelet represents this iconic tale for the Shakespeare's original story and the adaptations for opera, ballet and the theater.
As a kid I was obsessed with the 1968 film which spent a summer being shown constantly on HBO when we first got cable! Then it was no mistake that I fell head over heels with the ballet version. To this day the Prokofiev score is my go-to classical music. And THEN I discovered the opera by Gounod! The heartbreaking joy of Juliet's Waltz: expressing how she had only begun to live, when you know she will die in about 48 hours...the romantic gorgeousness of the balcony and wedding duets...and the tragic ending... can't you just DO something Friar Lawrence?!
Needless to say, I’ve put a lot of love into the design and creation of this bracelet.
"I recently purchased the Romeo & Juliet bracelet for my daughter for her birthday. It is stunning! We went to the Romeo & Juliet opera at the Met a few years ago and she had asked it so I thought it would be a nice remembrance. I did not expect the many small and abundant details and charms. It's so lovely! I have purchased from you before for her and each bracelet represents something in my daughter's journey as a student and lover of opera. She adores all the bracelets! The story that is represented with this one is an added bonus! We both love it. Thanks so much!" - Linda
Each bead and charm of the Romeo and Juliet Bracelet represents a character or moment from the story. Some of the most important beads and charms are described below and you can see all of the symbolic descriptions on the spiral chart photo above or to the left. Also, a story chart explaining the symbolism of the beads and charms accompanies every bracelet. Click here to see the chart.
- Colors of blue and gold symbolize the flag of Verona.
- The Prince is a gold bicone crystal and his kinsman Paris is also a gold bead.
- Tiny stars illustrate the concept of star-crossed lovers.
- Garnet and pink represent the Capulets and Juliet. The Montagues are blue with Romeo being a pale blue bead.
- Mercutio who moves between the families is a pale purple bead.
- A red crystal indicates the discord between the families.
- A black double cone is the Prince’s decree against fighting.
- White and brown cat’s eye beads symbolize the Nurse and Friar Lawrence respectively to indicate their roles as first hand witnesses to the tragedy.
- Small gold rings represent the plan for Juliet to marry Paris. A bronze double cone symbolizes refusals throughout the bracelet.
- An ornate bead with a mask charm evokes the Capulet’s masked ball.
- A flowered heart and a heart in hand charm symbolize Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting: "If I profane with my unworthiest hand..."
- Balcony scene: Romeo compares Juliet to the sun (sun charm). Large heart with rose ("What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet.")
- An opalescent heart with doves represents the secret marriage. The same bead evokes the wedding night.
- A sword and blood droplets symbolize the deaths of Mercutio and Tybalt.
- Crackle glass hearts are Romeo’s grief at the losses of Mercutio and Juliet
- A purple crystal droplet is the sleeping potion; a dark purple droplet is the poison Romeo will use to die.
- A pen and ink charm symbolizes the message from Friar Lawrence that Romeo never receives.
- A dagger with a red droplet and heart represents Juliet’s death.
- A blue teardrop crystal and heart evoke the peace and mourning that comes to Verona.
