History of jewelry

Jewelry – How It Started
Jewelry is a personal ornament used to adorn different parts of the body, such as necklace adorns the neck, bracelet adorns the wrist and so on. These ornaments can be crafted using different materials like wood, shells, iron, copper, rubber, precious metals, gemstones etc. and the designs and styles can vary from nation to nation, culture to culture.
The word jewelry is derived from the English word “jewel” which is further derived from the French word "jouel" meaning “gemstone”. Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of body adornment. During earlier times, most of the jewelry was created for practical or religious purposes. For instance, in ancient Rome men wore a signet ring which was used to store official documentation, in many different cultures children were made to wear pendants or bracelets as amulets to ward off evil etc. During these times jewelry was made of natural materials like wood, shell, teeth, bones, stone etc.

As times changed, the use of jewelry also shifted from being an article of necessity to an article of luxury. Jewelry became an ornament and a symbol of status. Kings, queens and the royals had treasure chests full of gleaming gems and precious jewelry that are of immense value today. In modern times jewelry has become an important fashion accessory, an expression of self. Jewelry is made of almost every material known to mankind and has been made to adorn nearly every body part, from head to toe. There is no limit to the different varieties, designs and styles available today. There is fine jewelry that is made of natural gemstones and precious metals, art jewelry where design and creativity is prized above material value, costume jewelry which is made from less-valuable materials and mass-produced, fashion jewelry where again designs are important than the quality or value of the material used. Jewelry can also be symbolic of a religion, cult or group membership – Christian crucifix; Jewish Star of David; eye-rings, tongue studs etc. of the hip-hop generation.

The designs and styles of jewelry have changed dramatically over the centuries, but the fact that man has always prospected for things of beauty to adorn themselves hasn't. Moreover, in the modern age the advent of technology has brought important changes in everything including jewelry. Custom jewelry reflects the change not only in jewelry manufacturing but also in the usage of jewelry. With custom jewelry being the product available in abundance, handmade jewelry revives the old world charm. There is something for everyone.Sphere: Related Content

Ring – more than a Piece of Jewelry

Ring is a piece of jewelry that adorns the finger. Traditionally crafted in wood, iron and other basic materials, now these rings are available in rich precious metals like platinum, titanium, gold, silver etc. and fashionable synthetic material like acrylic etc. rings are also crafted in wood and other natural material. There is no limit to creativity and imagination. These metal and other material bands are then studded with diamonds, colored gemstones etc. and have a variety of designs and styles.

Apart from being just a piece of jewelry, rings have a romantic association. Carried forward from the ancient times, exchanging rings between couples as a tradition has signified love. In ancient Roman times, when precious metals were not discovered, a man presented his beloved an iron ring as an expression of his love and as a proposal for marriage. Later, with the popularity of precious metals, rings also became available in gold, silver and so on. Not just in Rome, but the association of rings to romance and marriage has traditionally been a part of many cultures across the world. Around the 20th century, diamond rings, especially diamond solitaire rings, became symbolic to proposals and marriages. According to the western etiquette, a woman wears a ring in the ring finger of her left hand to signify her marriage or betrothal. With fashion and styles evolving, the latest trend is of engagement rings and wedding bands studded with natural gemstones.

With a ring signifying marriage and a woman’s dependence on man, the latest concept, right-hand ring symbolizes a modern woman’s independence. Right-hand ring is a ring that a woman buys for herself as a symbol signifying that she is no longer dependant on a man.Sphere: Related Content

Diamonds can add glamour to almost anything

Diamonds can add glamour to almost anything. Check out these USB drives that can beat even some of the designer jewelry and fashion accessories if these were to compete on the ramp.





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