Jewelry can be defined as any item that is worn for decorative effect that is not considered to be an article of clothing or an accessory. This definition includes but is not limited to rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Precious stones, such as loose diamonds, that are not set in a ring, necklace, bracelet or some other item, are not considered jewelry but are more properly called jewels.
A beautiful necklace
The History of Jewelry
The history of jewelry began about 75,000 years ago when the first necklaces were made from strings of snail shells. While it isn’t known whether jewelry had more than a decorative function, it would later have a ceremonial or religious value, as is often the case today. Jewelry entered recorded history in Egypt by about 3,000 B.C., and while many of the Egyptian and later pieces are no longer worn, many others can still be seen on a daily basis.
While the Egyptians did make silver jewelry, they had no mines of their own, and the metal had to be imported from other countries. The necessity of importing metals like silver put the jewelry fashioned from it even further out of the reach of the ordinary Egyptian and increased its cost for the nobility. Today, many people collect and wear the antique jewelry that was once the property of kings.
Contemporary Jewelry
Contemporary jewelry often consists of items that have been worn throughout history but has also come to include eyebrow and other piercings. Because of this, it can be said that today’s fashion jewelry is a mix of both past and present influences.