Jewellery

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An eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt princess's crown

King crown from Germany

Jewellery (or jewelry) refers to any clothing accessory that is worn as a decoration.

In itself, jewellery has no other purpose than to look attractive. However, it is often added to items that have a practical use. Items such as belts and handbags are mainly accessories but may be decorated. A broach, often worn to keep a cloak closed, could be highly decorated with jewels.

Necklaces, finger rings and earrings are the most usual kinds of jewellery.

History

Humans have made jewellery for a long time. There are many forms of jewelry worn for traditional, social or religious reasons. Jewellery can come in many forms, worn on any part of the body or clothing. Jewellery most often are rings, chains, bead strings, pendants and piercings, worn around or on different body parts.

Creation

Jewellery can be made from any material. The first jewellery was made from bone, animal teeth, wood or stone. Jewelry often uses gemstones and precious metals.

Fashion jewellery or costume jewellery is jewellery that is worn just for fashion, and is not made of expensive materials.

Common jewellery types

Earrings, which is any jewellery worn on the ears
Necklaces, worn around the neck
Finger rings and toe rings (finger rings are usually just called "rings")
Bracelets or bangles, worn on the wrists
Arm rings or armlets, worn on the upper arms
Pins or brooches, worn on clothes for decoration or keeping clothes from undoing.
Piercings, which is jewelry that is put through holes in the skin
Cremation jewelry such as keepsakes, bracelets, keychains, necklaces, pendants or rings

Gallery

Kenyan man.jpg

A Kenyan man wearing tribal bead necklaces.
Signet-ring Black Prince Louvre OA9597.jpg

A signet-ring.
Amber.pendants.800pix.050203.jpg

Pendants made of amber.
Turkish-style dagger, 17th century, the Royal Armoury, Stockholm
Bohemia, 14th century jewelled clasp with eagle motif
Spanish emerald and gold pendant at Victoria and Albert Museum.
Roman Amethyst intaglio engraved gem, ~212 AD; later regarded as of St. Peter.
Andhra Pradesh Royal earrings 1st Century BCE.jpg

Royal earrings, India, 1st Century BC.

Jewellery Media

René lalique, pettine in corno, oro, smalti e brillanti, 1902 ca-V2.jpg

Hair ornament, an Art Nouveau masterpiece; by René Lalique; c. 1902; gold, emeralds and diamonds; Musée d'Orsay (Paris)
Diamonds.jpg

This is a collection of 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04 carat solitaire diamonds weighing in total 5.36 carats, costing just under $4,000.
Wedding and Engagement Rings 2151px.jpg

A diamond solitaire engagement ring
A002.jpg

An example of gold-plated jewellery.
Khmissa amulet in silver
Oldest golden artifacts in the world from Varna necropolis – grave offerings on exposition in Varna Museum
Headdress decorated with golden leaves; 2600–2400 BC; gold, lapis lazuli and carnelian; length: 38.5 centimetres (15.2 in); from the Royal Cemetery at Ur; Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)
Officina costantinopolitana, tesoro di asyut (egitto), V-VI sec ca. 01 collier.JPG

Byzantine collier; late 6th–7th century; gold, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts and pearls; diameter: 23 centimetres (9.1 in); from a Constantinopolitan workshop; Antikensammlung Berlin (Berlin, Germany)
Cameo Claudius Cdm Paris Chab220.jpg

Cameo; 16th century; sardonyx; Cabinet des Médailles (Paris)

Related pages

Cartier (jeweller)