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A Brief History of Jewelry |
| Jewelry has been worn by people since ancient times. The earliest people wore necklaces made of bones and animal teeth, while jewelry made of gold and silver is believed to have made its appearance with the ancient Egyptians more than 3,000 years ago. The Egyptians also were among the first to incorporate precious stones in their jewelry, using such gemstones as amethyst, turquoise and lapis lazuli, and they also used enameling. Many drawings of Egyptians show them wearing two bracelets on each arm, one on the wrist and another above the elbow. During the Medieval period, styles and morals combined to discourage the wearing of most types of jewelry. However, brooches were an important part of the wardrobe. Along with jeweled belts of every kind, brooches were practical as well as decorative. They held up cloaks and tunics and various bits of fabric. Rings were also common during this period. Every one wore rings, from lower class to nobility. Rings could be made of iron, copper, silver or gold. The material of the ring often denoted the wearer's social class. However, faceted stones did not appear in rings until the 14th century. In the late Medieval/Early Renaissance period along with a little more skin, we begin to see a little more jewelry. Necklaces begin to make an appearance, but mostly as collars. Both men and women wore them, though the men's tended to be chains of state more often than not. Later on, collars become elaborate affairs with complicated twists and beads. Still no earrings yet, but Brooches and Rings have not disappeared. During the Renaissance/Elizabethan period we begin to see all sorts of jewelry to chose from. Pearls are the key. Pearls are the most commonly used gem during this time. Earrings make an appearance early in the 16th century, particularly in Italy, where they are most often plain drop pearls with simple matching pearl choker. A variation on the pearl earring is the pearl drop suspended from a ribbon that matches the wearer's dress. Earrings don't make an appearance in England until later in Elizabeth's reign, when the Italian style pearl drop becomes popular for both men and women. The art of jewelry-making was refined during the Georgian and Victorian periods in Europe, with such pieces as cameos and lockets making their appearance, and platinum came onto the scene at the turn of the 20th Century. The period known as the Roaring Twenties saw a huge demand for jewelry, and a new style made its appearance at an event in Paris, the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs et Industriels Modernes. The new design took its name from that fair, but was shortened to "Art Deco." It was unusual because it featured abstract geometric forms and shapes using such diverse designs as those created by the Aztecs and Egyptians, and combined them with modern art. By the 1940s still another design was introduced, called "Retro Modern," that featured flamboyant curves and bows in large pieces of jewelry. Yellow, pink and even green gold was used in this jewelry, along with unusual mixtures of colored gemstones. Today's consumers look upon this style as garish. World War II created a shortage of platinum, so most jewelry was made of gold and silver, but platinum made a huge comeback in the early 1990s. Such pieces as the tennis bracelet and diamond solitaire pendant made their debuts during the latter part of the 20th Century, and designer jewelry became popular during this period, also. |
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