Jewellery has been one of the major obsessions with women and men since times immemorial. It mainly refers to ornaments that have used to adorn their bodies, such as necklace, ring or bracelet, gemstones, precious metals (like gold, silver, pearl, and platinum) and a host of other forms.
Jewellery – Origin, History, and Purpose
The word ‘jewelry’ is said to have originated in different ways by different sources. While some say that it has been derived from the word ‘jewel’ which is an anglicized version of an Old French word ‘jouel’, others are of the opinion that it comes from Jews, who are said to be the ones who introduced it as an ornament. The origin can even be traced back to the times when it was made of bone, animal teeth, shell, wood, carved stone and even 100,000 year-old beads of Nassarius shells.
However, the purpose of owning jewelry has remained more or less the same all through. Apart from being materials for ornamentation and decoration, they have served as mediums of wealth, storage, and for pinning clothes together. With the passage of times, expensive materials started to replace the ‘natural products’, which made it a medium of valuating possessions. Even after the advent of coinage as mediums of exchange, people continued to use jewelry as mediums of storage, which they could convert to coins and currency (in modern age) as and when required.
Uses of Jewellery
Over the years, jewelry has adorned various parts of the body from head to toe. The commonly worn ornaments are hairpins, ear and nose rings, necklaces, bangles, bracelets, and even toe-rings. They often consist of precious metals and gemstones, and require extreme artistry and finesse to be made. Jewelers and gem-cutters were esteemed for their skills and craftsmanship.
Modern jewellery and brands
Jewelry, in this era, is a vital fashion accessory not only in the east but all over the world. This has led to the emergence of corporate houses and brands in this field. Handcraft has been replaced by machines for large-scale production. The age has also seen the fusion of European designs and oriental techniques that have had a tremendous appeal among the fashion conscious people of all ages, especially the youth. Some of the major jewelry brands are:
- Harry Winston
- Buccellati
- Cartier
- Tiffany and Co.
- Van Cleef and Arpels
- Graff
- Chopard
- Piaget
- Bulgari
- Mikimoto
Types of jewellery
Some of the popular ornaments of this age are:
- Gold Jewelry
- Engagement Jewelry
- Platinum Jewelry
- Pearl Jewelry
- Handcrafted Jewelry
- Junk Jewelry