The jewelry industry has deep roots that, thanks to archaeological findings in different parts of the world, can be traced back to the earliest human cultures. The first jewelry pieces, although quite primitive, had important meanings for ancient people. Some symbolized power or reflected social status, while others served as magical protection or connection to the spiritual world.
We decided to explore the topic of the origin of jewelry in more depth and share it with you. So, let's talk about the first time people started to adorn themselves, what materials were used in early jewelry, and what ancient jewelry-making techniques were mastered at the very beginning.
When and why did people start adorning themselves?
Archaeologists believe that prehistoric jewelry pieces could date back over 150 thousand years. This is evidenced by one of the findings that conquered the headlines around the world a few years ago. Back then, a group of scholars found the oldest specimen of a necklace in the caves of Morocco, which can be attributed to be at least 142 thousand years old. The piece contains 33 beads made of seashells.
In general, some of the oldest discoveries come from North Africa and Asia. It was there that people actively began to use improvised materials, including the most common at that time: seashells and pebbles.
Researchers assume that accessories made of these materials were used to decorate the body or clothing, serving as a symbol of belonging to a tribe or caste. For example, hunters could wear animal teeth as pendants, while leaders adorned themselves with multi-layered necklaces made of rare natural materials and often wore feathered headgear, etc.
Later, various pendants, bracelets, and necklaces were widely viewed as amulets and talismans. They were supposed to protect against evil spirits, diseases, and the wrath of nature.
The first jewelry materials
The evolution of jewelry materials was gradual. Initially, natural materials found close to home dominated— stones, shells, and later, with the development of metallurgy, copper, bronze, and gold. Gold was especially popular, not because people yet believed it was more valuable than other metals, but because of its malleability, shine, and resistance to corrosion.
The first jewelers: Mastering jewelry creation techniques
The profession of jeweler probably emerged during the development of the first large cities and craft centers. Before that, everyone made jewelry for themselves.
The Egyptians are considered some of the most advanced early jewelers. They had extensive knowledge of metals and precious stones, developed their own techniques that were passed down and refined through generations.
Egyptian jewelers were known not only for mastering the processing of gold and other non-ferrous metals, but also for smelting them to create perfect shapes. They were among the first in history to use colored glass and semiprecious stones for colorful inserts in jewelry.
The next most vivid examples of skillful jewelers are the Greeks and Romans. The first mastered engraving techniques and began to inlay precious stones such as emeralds into designs. Meanwhile, the Romans brought to the world such accessories as brooches used to fasten clothes, pendants with coins, and hollow pendants filled with perfume.
Jewelry continues to inspire us today. It’s a way to express personal style, tell a story, or preserve family traditions. Each piece carries a hint of those earliest designs that laid the foundation for the jewelry industry.
We offer exceptional transforming jewelry from Orxata. It is a modern echo of the first multifunctional designs but with a well-thought-out design and three to infinite transformations.
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