The Sparkling History of Jewelry

It is amazing to know that even our forefathers had worn jewelry. The concept of wearing jewelry is different from one civilization to another. The wearing of jewelry carries a lot of significance for our forefathers.

About 40,000 years ago, it was discovered that the Cro-Magnons created accessories such as necklaces from stones, bones, or teeth. Archaeologists found out, during the excavation in Russia, that necklaces were made from the tusks of Mammoths.

The word jewelry is actually from the French word “jouel”. It is even believed that if you trace further, it would lead you to a Latin word “jocale” which literally means a plaything.

As the evolution of culture continued to take place, those jewelries that are used by prominent people became more extravagant and harder to acquire. Gold jewelry was the preference of ancient Egyptians because they believed it represents the authority of the Pharaohs, as well as the religious influences of friars. Egyptians were more inclined to put on different colored glass than putting on gemstones. Because they appreciate the effects glass is able to bring more.

They have this certain custom of letting the deceased nobles and pharaohs wear their jewelry to bring with them to the next life. They believe that this will give distinction for their dead leaders in their next life. Sadly, there are only a few pieces of jewelry left for the archaeologists to study on because of the previous grave thefts.

It is believed that 4,000 years ago, the Assyrians loved to wear a great deal of jewelry such as necklaces, amulets, seals, and bracelets. But the descendants of Assyrians, the Greeks, chose not to wear jewelry at all, unless there were special occasions.

Did you know that the jewelry of the past were actually made from natural materials like bones, animal teeth, shell, wood and carved stone?

Even after the Empire of Rome was overthrown, production of jewelry still continued. Designs became more elaborate and attractive. The Celts had fondness for ornamental and extremely artistic jewelry that depicted religious symbols.

Seeing this history of what we currently use on ourselves, we just cant seem to think of how we are so much like our ancestors, yet quite different, dont you agree?