To find the origins of jewelry we will go back to the industries early Paleolithic era. Hanging ornaments were the focus of that time; materials that came from jaguars, shells, snails, and the teeth of wolves and lions. Necklaces were carved out of ivory and with provisions of perforations for them to be threaded.
Likewise, primitive men went about incorporating pieces of rock crystal, serpentine, jade, coral and other bright colorful stones that could be used to create their ornaments and amulets, in addition to their bodily decorations.
Moreover, the Egyptians were truly passionate about ornamentation. They introduced a major renovation in jewelry. They created encrusted, engraved and embossed jewels by using techniques such as granulation, filigree and gem inlays. They also worked with gold and silver, encrusting precious stones like jasper, carnelian, turquoise, amethyst and lapis lazuli.
Likewise, they were experts at innovating jewelry of great beauty, especially diadems, beaded necklaces, pectorals, bracelets, earrings and rings. One of the most popular ornaments was the signet ring decorated with religious symbols such as the beetle, which was a symbol of rebirth. The falcon and the lotus flower were also very representative symbols.
Thus, jewels had great importance in Egyptian culture. Their functions are that gems were valued for their beauty as well as the magical and spiritual protection towards people. Jewels were amulets and ornaments at the same time. As an element of social status, pharaohs and powerful people were buried with their earthly possessions. This material wealth was not only important in life but also after death.
However, the Greeks had great metallurgical skills in smelting techniques. They were fans of necklaces decorated with images of doves or the gods Eros and Nike. Pendants were slightly ornamented with precious stones or enamel, hanging from a rosette that was usually decorated with the crown of Isis. A popular Greek design was the “Hercules knot”, influenced by the ancient Egyptians and later adopted by the Romans. It represents two intertwined ropes that were used as a symbol of marriage or protective amulet to ward off evil.
Similarly, thanks to the new industrial techniques, some more popular jewels like diamond tiaras, rings and brooches were created. Besides gold and semi-precious stones, cast iron and steel alloys were used, as well as different craving methods and frames made of precious stones.
The symbolic powers that jewels have had in the past have remained to this day. A lot of pieces were emblematic worldwide and marked a historic moment. However, much of the current knowledge about them comes from our old “ancestors”; they discovered and transformed metals. Thanks to the inheritance left by ancient civilizations, we enjoy the ideal complement to every woman: jewels!
ALFA