Jewelry has been known for thousands of years, since the dawn of history, women and men desired to beautify their bodies by wearing jewelry. The first jewelry that people used to emphasize their beauty were shells, pieces of wood, diamond rings, stones, but also pendants made of bones or teeth. Humans have always wanted to stand out from the group, and fanciful decorations were meant to provide them with that.
Only after the invention of tools for jewelry making did people begin to produce it from organic elements and metals. That is when ornaments with more complex forms appeared. Jewelry played a significant role in religious ceremonies, rituals, but also indicated social status. With the development of civilization, copper, silver, and gold jewelry emerged.
Jewelry in ancient times
The pioneers in the field of jewelry making were the Egyptians; they made richly decorated bracelets, necklaces, brooches,earrings. Amulets were very common; the poor wore ones made of glass and faience (a type of ceramic), while the rich flaunted gold and precious stones.
To this day, jewelry is regarded as an ornament that enhances beauty. One thing has changed: nowadays, costume jewelry made from cheaper materials such as glass, plastic, and artificial stones is no longer a subject of shame, nor does it indicate a lower social status. The world follows fashion, and fashion can be unpredictable. In the 21st century, jewelry is a marker of style—the more original and unique, the better.