Showing posts with label Ancient Jewellery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ancient Jewellery. Show all posts

Friday, March 27, 2009

An Overview on Ancient Jewellery

Ancient jewellery is any form of ornamentation people used in the olden times. When the term jewellery is used, many people think of its proper and widely accepted definition as those pieces made of precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, copper, and brass with mounted gemstones, precious or semiprecious stones. What is not a popular notion is that they may be made of different kinds of organic as well as inorganic materials—for example, feathers, hair, scales, bones, leather, shells, ceramics, wood, metals, and minerals.

People of all cultures ever since the ancient times have been wearing ornaments for personal beautification, as marks of social or official rank, as symbols of affiliation in any religious, social, or political group.

These pieces of jewellery have been worn on the head as crowns,tiaras, hairpins, hat ornaments, earrings, nose rings, lip rings, and earplugs; on the neck as necklaces, collars, and pendants; on the breast as brooches, buttons, and clasps; on the extremities as bracelets, rings, armlets, and anklets; and at the waist area as girdles and belts.

The information on this type of jewellery was largely derived from the artifacts that have been dug—that is, those personal objects in the tombs that have been preserved all this time. Other current knowledge on jewellery from ancient times (those that were not buried with the dead) can be traced back to those portraits in ancient paintings and sculptures.

Understanding the history of jewellery provides understanding as regards to how the culture evolved with time because wearing jewellery depicts the personality of one, who is part of a group displaying similar characteristics.


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Ancient Jewellery and Preowned engagement rings.

Economic and Social Value of Ancient Jewellery

Intertwined are the economic and social aspects of ancient jewellery. Jewellery has a deeper value than being just a mere adornment or ornament during the medieval times. The market prices of jewellery changed over time depending on certain factors such as market demand, availability of materials, and the trend in fashion. It often symbolizes one’s position in the society and in life and this usually intrigues a lot of people at present time, hence the numerous studies and researches focused on this topic.

Up until the end of the 13th century, the sapphire was the most appraised stone. After which, it became the ruby who had the greatest value in terms of price and demand. During the latter part of the Middle Ages, the diamond held the title of being the most valuable and expensiveof the gems except in Spain and Portugal where the emerald holds this title mainly because of their fondness to this gemstone. Pearls on the other hand were popular and sold generally by weight. Venice was the greatest market for pearls in Europe; they were imported from the East.

Precious and semiprecious stones as well as cameos were stored by merchants and noblemen—those with little jewellery—as reserves of valuables. However, those that belong to the noble and princely circles kept these stones either to use in jewellery and plates or to give away as gifts. During weddings, New Year, and other occasions, precious stones are handed as presents. Even those that came from broken pieces were stored. These stones and pearls were kept safe by mounting them in rings, fixing them in wax, or keeping them loose in a bag or cloth.

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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Ancient Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
Ancient Jewellery

Customs Involving Ancient Jewellery

Ancient jewellery, having had thousands of years’ worth of stories, is invaluable to collectors and historians. The precious stones during the ancient times were acquired and kept because of the interest and great satisfaction of the medieval princes. For them, it provides higher status level increasing their splendor of array and generosity in the form of jewellery, plates, and dresses.

Sometimes the noble owners of these individual jewels or even collections of jewels sell their treasure to other known personages. Trading was a custom, too, during those times—that is, trading jewels. Precious stones, generally because of their value, were passed down as heirlooms in hopes of preserving the value in terms of worth and the importance and significance in the family lineage.

Therewere also pieces of jewellery worn by secular noblemen that were later on ended up in the church treasury. It was a practice to offer jewellery to churches, shrines, and statues of the saints.

Another custom among all the social classes throughout Western Europe was giving jewels to the bride initially at her betrothal then on marriage. It was also expected in most countries that the bride should be given jewellery suited to her standing as a married woman; and before the marriage that she should have received some sort of token of love—a brooch or a ring.

It may seem that jewellery giving is towards women only. Men also received pieces of jewellery during those times—as prize for winning at a tournament, as a gift from the patron, or for the knightly initiation. They also received certain tokens of love from their significant others.


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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Ancient Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
Ancient Jewellery

Ancient Jewellery

In ancient times, jewellery was used by men and women in all cultures to adorn body. Ancient jewels include pre-Roman and Roman jewels, Greek jewels, Celtic, Saxon, Viking, Egyptian and medieval and post-medieval jewellery articles.

In the period of Greek art, ancient jewellery was more delicate and refined. Enamel and filigree were prominent in that era. Garnets and other large colored stones were used in the center of articles. Necklaces were gold plated and were decorated with flowers and the earrings were mostly loop shaped. Necklaces with dangling pendants were also quite popular and well-liked. For pendants motifs of winged victories, cupids, and doves were common.

In Roman period cameo cutting and enamel were common and their jewels had a variety of stones set in them, usually in different rows. Fashionable brooches and rings were very popular and rings were worn on all ten fingers. Exotic ornaments made of amber were also in great demand. Gold coined necklaces and bracelets were admired by men and women of all ages.

Ancient jewellery of Egyptians was skillfully produced, engraved and soldered. Inlaid designs were the typical kind of that era. Gold and silver metal was used to make exotic patterns with semi precious stones like carnelian, jasper, amethyst, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. The fashion of wearing two bracelets was followed in ancient Egypt.

In Saxons and Vikings period, bronze, gold, and silver were used to make stylish and exquisite articles. Their necklaces were composed of beads, precious stones, pendants, and crosses. Bronze was used to make fancy brooches, buckles, belt ends, dress pins and rings. In that period niello was a popular method followed for the finishing of jewels. In this method black paste was rubbed on the items to give a contrast to the jewels.

The Celts had a strong belief in the interconnectedness of life, and they reflected this belief through their interlaced jewellery patterns. Celts used silver and gold, and bronze alloy or copper alloy for making fine pieces. Celtic knot work, crosses and Claddagh designs were the most common jewellery patterns.


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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Ancient Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
Ancient Jewellery

Engrave Your Name on an Ancient Jewellery Piece “cartouche

The designs that were used by the Egyptian artisans for crafting silver hand made jewellery were based on languages and on cultural icons. In the present these designs are commonly and easily approachable at different jewellery stores. The icons of ancient cultures indicate primitives like an important person. These icons also indicate specific religious symbols of different gods. Most Egyptian icon themes are now also used in different silver jewellery items like; silver rings, bracelets, cartouches, pendants etc.

Creation of personalized jewellery was famous among the Egyptian artisans. The personalized jewellery with English, Arabic and Egyptian hieroglyphics are few to name. This might be due to the growth in the use of cartouche in the Egyptian culture. So many themes of silver jewellery include solely the alphabetic engraving on the jewellery items. Hieroglyphics is an old Egyptian pictorial language. This language was significantly used by the ancient Egyptian royals and by the priest class as well. In old Egyptian the power was information and to store that information the secret codes were used which were hieroglyphics. Personalizing the ancient jewellery by engraving Arabic on items is a splendid aerodynamic form which is similar to English handwriting. There are different pieces which allow the compounding of two different languages. For instance, cartouches which are double sided, on one side the name can be written in Arabic and on other side in Egyptian hieroglyphs.

The images of old royalty that are available can be the ideal theme for hand made jewellery. For instance, the iconic images like of king Tut and Nefertiti that are available, represents the royalty of ancient Egypt. They use silver jewellery. Other subjects are also available that will give unique ideas for making handmade jewellery. The images of old gods like the eye of Horus and Isis are few subjects to name.

Other Egyptian culture images can also be used. One can also inspire from the images of pyramids. Egyptian pyramids are actually the tombs of pharaohs. Images of the ankh, musicians, are also provided. And of course the images of scarab beetle which is admired as holy and linked with god of sun Ra. The Ankh is admired as the sign of wealth, life and power as well.

As it is known that a very famous and popular form of jewellery is cartouche in Egyptian culture. These were purely personalized and were purely like the signs, as seal of state and a personal chop. These are typically stretched in an oval shape and contain the name of a primitive person in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Usually these were solely made for the kings who ruled in Egypt, these were not for common people. For instance, the name of King Tutankhamen or the name of different pharaohs was used to write. It is famous as a handsome art object of jewellery and is considered as alien personal seal worn with a silver chain around the neck. There are many different online jewellery stores which provide the detailed information about this piece of Egyptian ancient jewellery.
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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Ancient Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
Ancient Jewellery

Ancient Jewelry - Its Enchanting History

Loose diamonds may be a girl's best friend, but the practice of wearing jewelry is not new. In fact, women as well as men have been adorning themselves with jewelry since the Stone Age; paleontologists have found burial sites over 100,000 years old containing Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon remains in which the deceased was decorated with animal-claw or bone necklaces and carved stone pieces.

High grade loose diamonds mounted in jewelry is a relatively new development, however. Wholesale diamond jewelry as a market did not exist much before the Victorian Age, although loose diamonds have been used, worn, treasured and fought over for well nearly 3,000 years.

Loose Diamonds of Fame

Loose diamonds do not normally exist in nature. Diamond itself is found in very few places in the world, due to the fact that it forms deep beneath the earth's surface.

One of those rare places was India. Fragments of diamonds in their natural, rough octahedral form could be found along several of India's rivers, which flow south out of the Himalaya Mountain Range. However, for centuries, the most famous source of the world's diamonds was the fabled city of Golconda in the Indian state of Hyderabad.

Between the founding of Golconda in the 12th Century and its annexation into India in 1948, Golcondi craftsmen have produced many of the world's most famous loose diamonds, such as:

- Darya-e Nur , one of the Iranian (Persian) Crown Jewels - Nur-Ul-Ain, prominent pink diamond in the tiara worn by Iranian Empress Farah at her wedding to Reza Shah Pahlavi - Koh-e-Noor, presented to Queen Victoria by British P.M. Benjain Disraeli in 1877 - Hope Diamond, currently on display in the Smithsonian Museum - Regent Diamond, currently on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris

The earliest use of loose diamonds set in jewelry however is the crown of a Hungarian queen who reigned during the late 11th Century. The stones in this crown are uncut; however, within a few hundred years, diamond jewelry had become quite popular with European royalty.

The Modern Diamond Industry

Loose diamonds were polished during the 1300's, but the practice of diamond cutting did not begin until the mid-16th Century in the city of Antwerp in what is now Belgium. It was here that the first diamond-cutter's guild was formed, and the wholesale diamond appraisal industry and wholesale diamond jewelry market was born soon after.

To this day, Antwerp is one of the centers of the wholesale diamond jewelry trade.

Mining Diamond

As was the case in India, diamond was mined in and around riverbeds. Dry-digging started in South Africa in 1866, not coincidentally near Africa's Great Rift. Today, most diamonds are mined in the western Canadian provinces of Yukon and Northwest Territories as well as nearby Siberia. Most of these are of industrial grade; however, they are also sources for diamonds marketed by certified jewelry wholesalers.

Diamond Appraisal

Reputable jewelry wholesalers make sure that their stones have undergone a rigorous diamond appraisal in order to confirm their quality and value. Ideally, such an appraisal is undertaken by a firm that is independent of and unconnected to the producer of the stones.

Jonathon Blocker specializes in loose diamonds, diamond appraisal, and wholesale diamond jewelry. He is known among jewelry wholesalers as an expert in his field. He is a consultant for GemFind.net, a trusted name in the jewelry industry since 1999.


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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Ancient Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
Ancient Jewellery

Celtic Ancient Jewellery - Materials and Symbols Used in Celtic Ancient Jewellery

Celtic ancient jewellery is composed of various symbols and designs like trinity knots, spiral, Celtic crosses, and knot work which had religiously significant meanings for the Celts. Celtic sterling silver jewellery and Celtic & Irish charms and earrings are quite popular all over the world. Cross pendants and trinity knot bracelets are also liked by a lot of people. Many kinds of stones and metals were used in this type of jewellery to decorate and create swirls and interlocking designs. Celtic crosses are worn as an identity of Irish and Scottish roots. These crosses are still available in sterling silver and often complemented with gemstones and diamonds.

Irish Claddagh jewellery and tattoos are also quite popular. The Claddagh symbol is around 300 years old. This type of jewellery is named after a village in Ireland called the Claddagh. The symbol consists of two hands supporting a heart with a crown. This is a unique concept which can be applied to a number of examples from everyday life. Some people say it represents the love between a mother and her child, while others claim that it symbolizes the eternal love between husband and wife. You can find Irish Claddagh rings in 18k gold decorated with a beautiful heart-shaped gemstone. This type of a ring can also be given as a lovely present to your loved one.

Three-legged emblem in Celtic ancient jewellery represents three aspects of life or three spheres; land, sea and sky. It is also known as the triskele or triskelion. This symbol has its roots in the ancient Sicilian culture and has been seen on various Greek coins. The three-legged spiral symbolized the trinity in many cultures after the pagan and medieval times ended. It is now seen on contemporary jewellery articles from various countries. Other popular symbols in Celtic art include the clockwise spiral, the anti-clockwise spiral, two spirals with clockwise rotation, a double spiral and some variations of these basic patterns.

While looking for ancient jewellery some people are also interested in finding lucky and astrological jewellery. One can find lovely pendants for each sign of the Zodiac in Celtic jewellery. These pendants are made of metal alloys and pewter. Celtic astrology is quite interesting. You will find symbols engraved on these pendants based on some ancient scripts. According to Celtic astrology, people who are born in the month of January are trustworthy and ambitious. Those born in October love to travel. December represents evil and bluntness. Similarly, all months represent some characteristics.

In Celtic ancient jewellery you can find beautiful rings, bracelets, brooches, necklaces and earrings. Bangles with engraved sign language can also be found in this category. If you like antique items, you will love this type of jewellery. Celtic necklaces are composed of shields and heart-shaped pendants made of sterling silver with beads and gemstones. Celtic engagement rings are quite popular in Ireland and Scotland. Many people also love to wear Celtic charms in bracelets and chains. In addition to these, one can find lovely coin jewellery and Celtic warrior jewellery in this category which is unique and simply exquisite.

Please visit our site for full information like history, designs, types, buying tips, caring tips, cleaning tips, importance and all other important aspects of all Jewellery items and its different types and designs. You will find tons of articles on all popular jewellery designs and types like Ancient Jewellery.


Further Reading:
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For More quality and unique Information on the topic of Ancient Jewellery, please visit the following reference site:
Ancient Jewellery