Just the mention of the word jewelry sets the pulses racing of many a woman. Jewelry is something that no woman can ever deny. However, like anything and everything else jewelry has also evolved in many years over the decades.
The word ‘Jewelry‘ originated from the Latin word ‘jocale’ meaning ‘play thing’. The present name is the anglicized version of the Old French ‘jouel’. The word spelled as ‘jewellery’ in European English, jewelry is usually defined as any piece of adornment made up of precious material (gemstones, noble metals, etc.).
Jewelry is one of the oldest forms of adornment. The first traces of jewelry were seen among the African people. In those times jewelry was mostly made up of bones, teeth, shells and stones. Not only the appearance, the materials used, and the art of jewelry making but even the basic function of jewelry has also changed over the years.
Basic function of jewelry: -
1. As a medium for storage of wealth
2. A display of social status (which in some ways is also a sub point to the former point)
3. Functional uses (pins, clasps, etc.)
4. Symbolism (symbol of one’s faith, religion, marriage etc.)
5. Medium of personal expression, creativity.
Since the time of discovery of precious metals and gemstones, jewelry has been predominately a medium of storage of wealth and thus a display of social status as well. In ancient Rome, wearing a ring of precious metal was a symbol of various social classes. The metal of the ring also used to signify the stature of the person wearing and the law forbade slaves or laborers to wear gold.
Jewelry also started as an instrument to fasten pieces of clothing and so pins, brooches and clips came into being. Though these pieces were initially functional, but with time even they evolved to more of a decorative item.
Jewelry is also adorned as a symbol of religion, faith or marriage. Engagement rings and wedding rings have been an important part of Christian tradition for many centuries now.
Jewelry as a medium of self expression, creativity of one of the oldest and probably the most applauded function. What could be a better use than one which makes you feel beautiful? This also explains the growing demand of Art Jewelry which emphasizes more on design and creativity than the materials used.
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