History of Jewelry - From Prehistoric Times to Today

Across cultures, jewelry has been a form of adornment for a long time. Shells, stones, and bones have been used to make jewels since prehistoric times. It is likely that jewelry originated as a way to protect oneself from physical harm and later morphed into a symbol of status or rank.

The discovery of how to melt and forge metals was a landmark moment in the development of the art of jewelry making. Jewels become more decorated and intricate as metalworking techniques evolved over time.

Gold is a rare metal which is valued highly. In the ancient world it was not uncommon to bury gold with the dead. A lot of the jewelry the old era comes from hoards and tombs.

Medieval jewelry

In medieval Europe, jewelry was a symbol of one’s social hierarchy. It was an important part of the highly status-conscious society of that era. The royalty and nobility wore gold, silver, and other precious gems.

Until the last decades of the 14th century, gems were worn after a little polish. They were rarely cut. It was the size and luminosity that determined their value.

Renaissance jewelry

During the Renaissance, enamels covering both sides of the jewel became increasingly popular, highly elaborate, and attractively colorful. Cutting technology prospered. These advances brought about cutting and increased the glitter of stones.

During this era, jewels and precious stones were often a symbol of political power. It was during this time that an rise in interest in the ancient Greek and Roman world inspired a resurgence of engraved jewelry with mythological features.

Since the 17th century

As Renaissance gave way to the age of rationalism, new styles of jewelry appeared. Professionals started using dark fabrics to adorn jewels. It was during the 17th century that graceful tops on pearls and gemstones became popular. It was during this time that custom jewelry design and repair first rose in popularity. 

Over time, jewels with brilliant cuts and multiple facets grew in popularity. It took time, but soon diamonds became popular. In the 18th century, diamonds were more or less essential for court life. The largest of these precious stones found place on the bodice.

Today, one can witness the boundaries of jewelry being redefined everyday. The trend has particularly hastened since the 1960s - when college students rebelled against authority for the first time in the United States.

In the contemporary world it is not uncommon to use plastics, paper, textiles, and other materials in jewelry design and repair.