bijoux

Bijoux is a French term meaning jewelry, and is commonly used in English to denote decorative objects worn on the body, such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, brooches, and hair ornaments. The word comes from the French bijou, meaning a small, precious object or trinket. In French usage, bijoux can refer to any small adornment, from luxury pieces to inexpensive fashion items.

In jewelry terminology, joaillerie refers to fine jewelry made of precious metals and gemstones, while bijouterie denotes the craft, shop, or inventory of jewelry generally. The plural form bijoux is often used to describe decorative pieces that may be valuable or merely ornamental, and the term is also used to describe fashion or costume jewelry (bijoux de fantaisie) in fashion contexts.

Historically, bijoux have reflected social status and stylistic movements. In France and elsewhere, jewelry design evolved from medieval ornaments to Renaissance and Baroque pieces, with increasing precision in metalwork. The 20th century saw the rise of costume jewelry, popularized by fashion houses and designers like Coco Chanel, making stylish pieces available at lower cost while using alternative materials.

Common forms include rings, chains and bracelets, chokers, pendants, brooches, earrings, and hair ornaments. Materials range from precious metals and gems to base metals, glass, enamel, plastic, and synthetic stones. Jewelry production spans artisanal ateliers and large maisons, and the term bijoux today covers both luxury pieces and contemporary fashion accessories, reflecting a broad spectrum of aesthetic and cultural significance.