We always seem to wonder why we need the little luxuries in life. A very valid question in the age of minimalism (owning less, enjoying more experiences) and somewhat crossing maximalism being portrayed in a ‘more is more’ social media savvy world. As humans, we have always wrestled with emotions, needs and reliance on symbols that make us feel special or reflect our status in society. Fashion and jewellery often finds itself in the cross currents of these trends and always at the forefront of it. Interestingly, jewellery has always been a part of human history since the beginning of time.
Origins of Jewellery
Archeologists have discovered jewellery made of red ochre painted shell beads tied on leather and twine from well over 75,000 years ago made and worn by early humans in the stone ages. This is well before the gilded ancient civilisations such the Egyptian Civilisation (~5000 years ago). This is the earliest form of symbolism developed by humans, eventually developing into cave art, personal expression and evolved societal behaviour. Scientists believe that our ability to think in abstract and creative ways has allowed humans to develop symbolic expressionism more sophisticated from other living beings predominantly occupied by survival. Jewellery and personal adornments have always been a part of this evolution!
Source: BBC News
Why do People wear Jewellery
There are several obvious and some not very obvious reasons for people wearing jewellery and personal adornments.
Status: Historically, jewellery was always worn by people with power, wealth and nobility. Some of these traditions still exist and people wear jewellery in ceremonies. Think of royal families, medals worn by celebrated heroes and people in positions (priests, mayors etc.).
Rituals & Traditions: People wear jewellery and charms for rituals, traditions and religious reasons. We can consider the cross in Christianity, star in Judaism, amulets with religious inscriptions in Islam, bracelets in Sikhism and Jade in Chinese culture.
Self Expression & Fashion: In a more modern sense, jewellery has become a symbol of self expressionism and fashion. It projects your personality, beliefs and in combination with your clothes an overall sense of style. Do you find yourself wearing your favourite piece of jewellery and outfit a lot because you feel best in it? This is something we have been doing for a very long time!
Spiritual or Emotional Significance: People believe in the power of stones and crystals. These are often set as jewellery pieces. Rose Quartz is a stone for love, Moonstone the stone for new beginnings and Jade for prosperity. We also wear charms such as the evil eye to ward off bad spirits. Sometimes jewellery has an emotional significance, because it belonged to your family or Lockets where you can store memories.
What is Jewellery made of
Jewellery can be made from any material as long as it is not reactive with the human body on contact. Most people have been tolerant to a wide variety of natural materials used to make jewellery for millennia. Older materials have included wood, shell, leather, stones, glass and resins which have gradually evolved through the ages to base metals (copper, brass, steel), precious metals (gold, silver, platinum), semi-precious and precious mined stones (diamonds, emeralds, rubies, amethyst, quartz, onyx) and finally to lab-grown diamonds and manufactured polymer or composite materials. Expressing art through jewellery is boundless, although precious and rare elemental forms (Gold - Au / Silver - Ag) have always held their value through time.
Where can I buy Jewellery
You can buy jewellery in store, online or via social commerce. As with all things ‘Fashion’, trying it on is the best way to purchase, so you know what you are purchasing, suits your style or purpose. You have several options to buy jewellery in person. If you want to accessorise and are not spending a lot, then fashion stores and department stores are a great place to start. For more specialist or expensive pieces you want to visit a Jeweller. Specialist jewellery stores (both generic jewellers or specialist jeweller brands) will be able to find the right piece or even custom make these for you. If you would like to shop online, you are unlikely to find a lot of jewellery on large e-commerce sites selling everything from household goods to stationary (think eBay, Amazon), but will be better placed to find what you are looking for on fashion and handcrafted product websites such as Etsy.
Can I make my own Jewellery
Making jewellery is an intricate craft. Little children often get jewellery making kits and like making and exchanging friendship bracelets. Whilst this is a great way to express their creativity, it is also great for developing their fine motor skills. A lot of adults continue this as a hobby and sometimes even sell their creations at craft fairs or on online platforms such as Etsy. You can visit a store like Hobby Craft to get started on your journey of creativity. Simple beading or metal working can be done at home, however more complex pieces including stone setting need specialist equipment and are done in workshops. Mass manufactured jewellery is also made in factories, where human input is minimal.
This is a short time capsule on the origins and purpose of jewellery in our lives. Next time when you want to feel special or are thinking of a gift for someone, consider buying a piece of jewellery which expresses the personality of the recipient or is a symbolic charm for good health and vibes!
