Jewelry refers to the ornaments people wear. The most common types are bracelets, brooches earrings, necklaces and rings. Jewelry has been chiefly used for personal decoration. But it has also been worn for religious and magical purposes, or as a symbol of wealth or status. Most fine jewelry consists of precious metal and gems created in artistic designs. Gold is chief metal used, but silver and platinum are also widely used.
Prehistoric jewelry consisted largely of crude necklaces and bracelets. They were made of leather or reeds strung with pebbles, berries, feathers, shells, or animal bones. People used decorative thorns or sharp bones to hold clothing together. Eventually, people pierced their ears, lips, and noses to wear such objects. People wore jewelry as part of religious ceremonies or to show rank. They believed certain jewelry could prevent sickness and protect them from bad luck.
Gradually people learned to make jewelry from ivory, wood and metal. As early as 3500 B.C, craft workers discovered that gold heated with fire could be pounded into thin sheets and then shaped. Silver, copper and bronze were also used. By the late 2000′s B.C., Egyptians were using gemstones in such jewelry as bracelets, brooches, headdresses, pendants, and rings. They believed that the gems had magical powers and wore them for good luck. The ancient Egyptians made jewelry from a variety of gemstones as well as from glass, faience, and enamel. They wore beaded collars, which covered the shoulders and chest; breast ornaments called pectorals; and crown like diadems. Egyptians also wore bracelets, anklets, earrings and rings. The Egyptians included jewelry in their tombs because they believed it would be useful in the afterlife.
The Greeks valued fine metalwork in their jewelry and rarely used inlaid gems. Greek jewelry featured beautiful filigree, a lace like decoration made by twisting fine wires of gold or silver into patterns. Unlike the Greeks, the Romans often used gems in their jewelry. They used gold settings but placed greater emphasis on precious stones. They especially wore gems in rings. The Romans were probably the first to use rings as a symbol of engagement.
During the Middle Ages, beginning in the 700 A.D. 700′s, the wearing of jewelry was almost entirely restricted to royalty and members of the royal court. Between 1200 and 1400, a prosperous middle class rose. This class began to acquire jewelry, wearing it as a sign of social status. Gold was still the most prominent precious metal, though some bronze and silver was also used. Jewelry most often took the form of brooches, buckles, head ornaments and rings. Precious stones were fashionable in the 1500′s. Jewelers often set stones in heavy pendants that were fastened to the sleeve, as well as on a chain around the neck. Women wove long strands of pearls and other gems into their hairdos. The first watches were made in the early 1500′s. People wore in pendants and miniature cases. During the 1600′s and the 1700′s, diamonds became popular as a result of advances in gem cutting.