FASCINATING WORLD OF JEWELRY- PART II

Diamonds were not popular until people learned how to cut them to show their brilliance, which began in Europe sometime around 1300. Pins and brooches originated from the clasps that held clothing together. Rings and pendants were used for early seals and signs of identification, rank, and authority.

A simple necklace made of fish bones was found in a cave in Monaco. The first adornments were derived from the hunt; teeth, claws, horns, and bones. Hunters believed that wearing trophies would bring them good luck for the next hunt. Slaves were made to wear bracelets to show who they belonged to. Wedding rings symbolized the commitment two people had for each other. Some African tribes today still wear enormous lip plugs that distort the mouth of its wearer. This is to make the men look more fearsome in battle and women so ugly that the other tribes wouldn’t want to steal them. 

A key feature to note about the historical jewelry of the Early Modern Era was their inability to be jewel-cut – jewelry polishing was mainly used, meaning their jewels often appeared dull and lacked color. This encouraged the use of jewelry enameling to add color to their designs.

After the fall of Ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire, Europe became the driving force of jewelry innovation. However, it took a long time until they managed to claim that position.

Renaissance jewels shared the age’s passion for splendor. Enamels, often covering both sides of the jewel, became more elaborate and colorful and advances in cutting techniques increased the glitter of stones.

Carved Greek or Roman stones were highly valued in the Middle Ages. As the transfer of wealth from nobility, royalty, and the church continued to flow to the middle classes during the Renaissance, Age of Discovery, and Industrial Revolution, jewelry designs and fashion trends changed dramatically. During those times world saw the appearance and disappearance of many styles, some new and original and some based on older designs found in the ruins of long-gone civilizations (mostly Egyptian, which became one of the inspirations of Romanticism and Art Deco).