World History Told in Jewellery 

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You can tell a lot about a society just by looking at its jewellery. Just by examining the way a necklace is crafted, you can estimate what that society valued, what resources they have access to, and even what they consider (or considered) to be beautiful.

Even world history can be told effectively through jewellery. Find out what we know about human civilisation simply by taking a look at what we liked to decorate themselves with.

Ancient World

From prehistoric times to 900 AD, jewellery across the world was made up of all kinds of material. Back in the stone age, shells, stones and even bones were worn by women as a mark of status among society.

This only elevated when gold was discovered and used for bracelets, earrings and necklaces by Egyptian Queens to Roman Empresses. Over time, jewellery-making and metal refinery became more sophisticated and allowed for more intricate patterns.

The value of such jewellery was so high that it was often buried with the owners, further increasing their rarity and status. Most of what we know about jewellery back then comes from the long-lost tombs found in archaeological excavations.

Medieval

Much like the ancient world, medieval society used jewellery as a symbol of rank and hierarchy only to a much more concentrated extent. During this period, however, gems were incorporated into the metal, polished rather than cut and made ever more precious as a result.

Royalty and the nobility would often be adorned in gold or silver, telling their subjects at a glance of their status in society. Some could even argue this tradition lives to this very day.

The craftsmanship of jewellery grew better and many of the gems used were often symbolic. In Europe, for instance, the blood red of the ruby would symbolise the blood of Christ. Naturally, religion was an important part of everyday life, hence why a lot of jewellery would be made into crucifixes and crosses.

Renaissance

A time when splendour and an appreciation for the arts came to the forefront of civilisation, the renaissance period (beginning around 1,500 AD) would further exacerbate the importance of religion in everyday life.

Some people took it a step further, however, and bought jewellery which they thought would protect them from certain ailments and illnesses. Hardly scientific but it was a common belief in those days.

The designs also reflect a renewed interest in the classical era in Greek and Roman architecture and design, hence why so many different art movements began at this time.

Industrialist

From between 17^th and 19^th centuries, jewellery crafting grew more sophisticated still. Wealth became the new symbol of power, especially with the expansion of the colonies, and soon it wasn’t just royals who were adorned in lovely jewels.

It was also the time where science really began to take off. With new discoveries came new techniques for crafting and it accelerated the speed at which goldsmiths could make their elaborate necklaces and earrings.

In the 18^th century was when we began to see diamonds incorporated into jewellery a lot more, becoming the new symbolic status of wealth among gold and silver.

Modernist

During the late 19^th century to the mid-20^th century, modernism dominated everything. From art nouveau to art deco, it has shaped the world of art to what we know it to be today? This includes jewellery design.

From the elaborate floral curlicues of art nouveau to the more straight-edge urban designs of art deco, the early 20^th century saw a lot of changes in the face of modernity and this is reflected in all the jewellery made at the time.

With two world wars and political unrest, it went from a careful, elegant handcrafted approach to a more machine-based mass-production approach, rising the tide of consumerism.

Contemporary

From the 1960s onwards, all kinds of jewellery exist in today’s world and almost none of it is any indication of status anymore. Anyone can buy jewellery made cheap thanks to the invention of plastics and effective reproduction of fake gemstones.

This by no means cheapens the history of jewellery. On the contrary, it has given access to many post-modern and avant-garde designs which better reflect the individualism which we hold so dear in our society today.

Want to take a look at some of unique jewellery we have for you to consider? Why not visit our gents jewellery page?