subject: Introduction to Jewelry [print this page] Introduction to Jewelry Introduction to Jewelry
The world jewelry has been derived from the Latin word "Jocale" means plaything. Jewelry is used for anything which is used to decorate and adorn .Jewelry has been used since the history of human beings has been eve loved.
Usage of jewelry shows one's aesthetic sense. It accentuates our look and makes one more prominent. It highlights the spark of creativity.
Before written language, or spoken word there was jewelry. In the late 1800 British archaeologist said of the primitive man that the first desire of human being is to decorate himself. According to some experts, jewelry is the outlet of one's feelings and fine expressions. These feelings differentiate human beings from the animals.
Initially jewelry was used for functional purposes for example to hold the clothes together, to pin up scarf or neck. Later on it becomes the symbol of adoration and decoration. Some jewelry items are used for some symbolic purpose, for example Jew's star and Christian cross.
In ancient times jewelry was made from teeth bone, ivory, stones and clay. As man's civilization grew up, it made more advancement, jewelry was also made more refined. Precious metals gemstones were used instead.
With the passage of time as man made more progress, jewelry was used as status symbols. Elite classes class and high gentry started using more costly jewelry. Even the ornaments of royal families and the crowns of the kings were engraved with precious stones and costly metals
19th century archaeologists found that in the mountains of France, people gathered old fashioned necklaces and bracelets. These ornaments were made of stones, teeth bone and bones. Some were made of clay, shells and stones. The people of this area are known as the Azilian.
Primitive man's first attempt with metal usage was to make utensils and tools. As he progressed he also thought to make ornaments from these metals so later on this work on metallurgy developed and metals like copper, bronze, silver were used for jewelry items. Hence it became a fashion which is still up-to-date.
