The Tales of Fine Jewelry
When you think about fine jewelry and everything that goes with it, you might find that your thoughts go back in time! Despite more modern techniques that craftsmen in the past could only dream of, there is a certain charm that ancient jewelry could achieve that we find difficult to duplicate even today. The time that went into crafting a piece of fine jewelry in the past could create something that ever hundreds of years later, is still held in awe by the people looking at it.
Upon reflection, it is clear jewelry has come a long way from its beginnings. Jewelry resounds very deeply for people, as indeed it seems to have struck a chord with our ancestors. The first kinds of jewelry were made from all manner of materials, including animal teeth, bones, stones, and pieces of wood. It is believed these early pieces held more than a mere decorative function, they could well have been viewed as divinely inspired or otherworldly.
These primordial beliefs have carried over through the millennia. Jewelry pieces are still considered to contain mystical or ceremonial qualities. Many people believed that jewelry pieces of various stones or metals will keep them from harm. For instance, parents who wanted to make sure that their childbirth was easy would wear coral, either in pendent form or as beads around their wrists. In China, parents would give their children jade to wear to protect them from falling accidents. Think about the lucky ring or necklace that you wear and consider the properties that you believe it brings you.
When you look at jewelry, especially in the ancient world, you find you are looking at a type of portable wealth. Not only do you have the worth of the stone itself, you also have the worth of the labor involved in creating it. Jewelry could also be a cherished gift as well. The Vikings, in particular, were known for giving the broad flat rings that were worn above the elbow to minstrels and various esteemed guests.
When you start thinking about fine jewelry, you soon realize there is a wealth of information coded into each piece. Whether that information relates to history, spirituality, or even cultural behaviors, it is obvious there is a good deal to be learned. Take a moment and contemplate what the fine jewelry you wear today will mean in the future.
