Handmade Beaded Jewelry

Handmade beaded jewelry has been around for several centuries

. Beads have an interesting history and they have been quite significant in many different cultures throughout time. Many different people have used a number of materials to make beads, and some believe the substances used to create the beads could determine the jewelry's power and value. Beads are very colorful, having been made featuring every color of the rainbow. Their beauty has made them favorable for many people since the beginning of time.

It is believed that beaded jewelry has been crafted since for more than 70,000 years. Back during the Stone Age, they were used as adornments, particular to those that held a high social status. The beads back then were typically made of wood or animal bones. They symbolized the spirits of the animals whose parts they were made from. They were also seen as signs of fertility. Some people throughout time have worn then because they believe the beads possess magical powers.

Handmade beaded jewelry was also one for the earliest forms of currency. People in ancient times would trade the jewelry, or just the beads themselves, for food, supplies, and other items. Since they are tiny and easy to carry, they seemed like a perfect item to trade for goods by many different culures. The jewelry's value was based on the materials from which the beads were made. Beads have been made out of several different materials, which give them all a different value. The most common substances used would include wood, ivory, gold, horn, shell, pearl, bone, and gemstones.

Different cultures preferred different types of materials for their handmade beaded jewelry. Likewise, the cultures viewed the jewelry in various ways and used them for different methods. Archaeologists have found a number of gold beaded necklaces that were likely worn centuries ago in India. Ancient Egyptians, on the other hand, preferred colorful beads made from ceramics and gems. Europeans have been using beaded jewelry made from glass and pearls for adornment and embroidery since the 13th century. Native Americans trimmed their clothing and headdresses with beads made from shells.

Bead making used to be a secret trade that only few knew how to do successfully. Those who knew how to craft the beaded jewelry were expected to be confidential regarding their abilities. A person would be risking his own life if he shared his knowledge with others. This secrecy made beads even more popular. It wasn't until the 19th century that beads started to be mass produced. This came about with the availability of glass bead production.

As you can see, handmade beaded jewelry has been crafted and used for many, years. It's most obvious use is for body decoration, but over the years, it has had a number of other uses. Currency, a sign of social status, and for healing or magical purposes are just a few of the other reasons why beaded jewelry was made by people from the past.

by: Jacque Crook

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