The Sparkling History of Jewelry

By Josephine Archibald

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.

The concept of wearing jewelry can be traced since the existence of Cro-Magnons - humanity's forefathers. Some 40,000 years ago, they used to create rudimentary necklaces out of teeth, bones, and stone. One particular archaeological excavation in Russia discovered several necklaces made out of Woolly Mammoth tusks.

The wearing of jewelry has always been associated with power, today and in the past. Leaders and chiefs of tribes showed their superiority over others using jewelry. These indicated the prestige and control of selected individuals.

The more beautiful the jewelry were, the more the power was hard to gain. Egyptians are more partial to wearing gold jewelry. They believe that they have the powers of Pharaohs and the priests by wearing those. They were more fascinated to colored glass than gemstones, because there were many shades of colors that can be produced on glass.

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.

In line with this, jewelry is made to beautify almost any part of the body, this would range from hairpins to toe rings and a lot more. While the more expensive, and high-quality jewelry is made using gemstones and precious metals like silver or gold, there was also the use of precious stones. Even during the old times, art jewelry is considered more appreciated over material value.

Romans, like Greeks, preferred to wear jewelry only on special occasions. And if they do wear it aside from these events, their purpose is to fend off evil curses. In Britain, which is governed by Romans, fossilized wood are sculpted into jewelry for prominent people.

The more exotic types of jewelry were probably made for the more moneyed people to indicate their status in society. Most cases even had people buried with their jewelry, as was the case of the Egyptians.

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? - 30224

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