FINE Jewelry

History of Fine Jewelry

While human beings have been adorning themselves for nearly 75,000 years, what you would call “fine jewelry” has been discovered since the dawning of ancient civilization. Grass and vine necklaces with shells and beads are among the first adornments, considered precious and sacred. Bone and teeth earrings too were first to adorn human beings.

Sometime during the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, precious metals and gems were discovered, such as gold, silver, bronze, amber, diamonds, rubies, among many more. By 5000 BCE, in ancient civilization, artisans and craftsmen masterfully created jewelry from the precious metals and stones. In Egypt and Mesopotamia, fine jewelry was buried in tombs with royalty.

By 1500 BCE, gold, silver, copper, bronze, amber, diamonds, jade, emeralds, among many major precious metals and gems were important resources for the ancient city-states and empires, such as Athens, Babylon, or China, and were important for coinage, as well as fine jewelry for both men and women. By the first century, men and women wearing fine jewelry was not unusual in Europe, Mesopotamia, Africa, and Asia.

Ever since, fine jewelry has added value to currency, been a source of revenue for empires and nations, and, on a personal scale, been important in the lives of individuals for their status, spirituality, as well as beauty.

Types of Fine Jewelry

There are certain types of jewelry, which are used mainly for status, symbolism, beautiful arrangement and adornment, and currency. They depend on the metals and materials used, gems used, and types of adornment.

Metals and Materials

Precious metals and materials include: gold, white gold, platinum, Sterling silver, palladium, titanium, bronze, and copper. Other materials may be wood, glass, enamel, shells, bone, ivory, natural clay, polymer clay, plastics, and even hemp.

Gems and Gemstones

Precious or semi-precious gems and gemstones include: Alexandrites, Aquamarines, Diamonds, Opals, Pearls, Rubies, Sapphires, Spinals, and Topaz. Amber is considered a gem, though it is a natural tissue from ancient trees.

Most Notable Adornments

In combination with metals and materials and gems and gemstones, fine jewelry comes in eight most notable adornments: necklaces, chains, brooches and pins, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants.