| New Orleans was terribly hit by Hurricane Katrina in | | | | parades naturally is that of the king's. |
| September 2005, resulting in an unprecdented loss of | | | | But there's no question that the most popular types of |
| property and lives. But despite the damage, the people | | | | jewelry are the ones made of beads. The greater the |
| of the Crescent City rallied and pushed ahead with the | | | | number of beads and the larger the size, the better |
| annual Mardi Gras tradition -- complete with great food, | | | | they are. Mardi Gras is not a time for understatement |
| jazz music, flowing drink, funky jewelry, and all the | | | | or discreet jewelry. Layers and layers of bead |
| bright accoutrements that help make the event an | | | | necklaces adorn many of the necks of the people |
| enjoyable one. | | | | gathered in the streets during Mardi Gras, and many of |
| In the olden days, people had Mardi Gras balls where | | | | others are given away to both friends and strangers |
| they dressed in their finest. Masks were also the order | | | | alike in the spirit of fun and participation. In fact, in the |
| of the day and revelers would try to guess the identity | | | | days and weeks before the carnival is held, people |
| of the person behind the mask, making the balls all the | | | | can be seen busy buying beads in large amounts and |
| more titillating. To this day, many items of jewelry | | | | creating bead jewelry to wear or give away at the |
| showcase many attractive mask designs. One would | | | | event. |
| find earrings, bracelets, pins, and pendants that feature | | | | However, not all Mardi Gras jewelry is costume |
| the face of a harlequin or the faces of comedy and | | | | jewelry. Fine jewelers have a slew of offerings for |
| tragedy side by side. | | | | those who have a taste for something more elegant |
| Green, purple, and gold are the theme colors for Mardi | | | | and classy. Pearl jewelry enjoys brisk sales during the |
| Gras. These colors have become traditional ever since | | | | season, perhaps because they resemble the beads |
| they were chosen as the official colors by King Rex, | | | | that are in abundance during Mardi Gras. And of |
| the king of the carnival. This title is held annually by a | | | | course, pearl jewelry can be worn all year round and |
| man chosen by a group called the Mystick Crewe of | | | | with almost any kind of attire since they are easy to |
| Comus, and the most elaborate and lavish float during | | | | dress up or down to. |