Fun Facts About Jewelry
As a species, it seems we’ve been all about jewelry since the dawn of time. From leaves and twigs to shells and bones, then natural stones to gems, we’ve been finding new materials, techniques, and reasons to adorn our bodies for as long as we can remember. So, whether or not you’re a huge jewelry wearer, we know you’ll certainly appreciate these fun facts about jewelry!
Interesting Information About Jewelry
- When it comes to facts about jewelry, one of the first questions that people ask is when people first started wearing jewelry. Well, the oldest jewelry on record dates back between 142,000 and 150,000 years ago and is comprised of 33 shell beads and was discovered in Morocco in 2021.
- Throughout the ages, different civilizations and societies have worn jewelry for different purposes. Jewelry has been used as a payment for dowries, a way to ward off evil spirits, and as an indicator of religious, political, or social status.
- While there are many interesting facts on gemstones, one that you can use in everyday life is this: ruby is actually the same gem as a sapphire! Their only difference is their color! Similarly, amethyst is just a quartz with a purple hue.
- Often used in interesting jewelry pieces, amber and pearls are known as organic gemstones because the natural processes of living organisms create them. Amber is actually fossilized tree resin, while natural pearls grow inside the shells of mollusks.
- An interesting engagement ring fact is that the tradition of proposing with a diamond ring did not originate until the 14th century. It all started in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg presented Mary of Burgundy with a diamond engagement ring ahead of their nuptials. Since then, diamonds have become the most popular gemstone for engagement rings, thanks partly to the rise of synthetic diamond-making in the 20th century.
- The first diamonds were mined in India until diamonds were discovered in Africa. In fact, the largest diamond on record, the Cullinan Diamond, came from a mine in South Africa. Weighing a whopping 3,106.75 carats, the Cullinan Diamond is currently part of the British Crown jewels.
- While we're on the topic of marriage, another little-known bit of information about jewelry is that men didn't use to wear wedding rings until the 20th century. We have advertising to thank for not just making wedding rings popular among men, but for giving rise to modern jewelry for men in general.
- Glass is another material that has remained popular for jewelry over the centuries, with some of the most impressive glass beads created by artisans on the Venetian island of Murano. You can still find many interesting rings and other decorative items originating from this famous island in the Mediterranean.
- Different civilizations have created and worn cool and interesting jewelry throughout history:
- Among the most intriguing Egyptian jewelry facts is that ancient Egyptians used to wear scarab beetles as live insect jewelry. They believed it brough them luck during the war.
- When it comes to Anglo-Saxon jewelry facts, perhaps one of the more surprising is that both men and women wore jewelry during that time. Decorative brooches combined style with functionality for both genders and served as a prototype for the popularization of jewelry in the Western world.
- One of the most interesting Viking jewelry facts is that, despite the Vikings' reputation as barbaric pillagers, they actually had a social hierarchy when it came to the materials used for adornments. Most Vikings wore jewelry (such as practical brooches for women and rings for men) made out of silver or bronze, while gold was reserved for the elite. Thankfully, today, gold is much easier to find and wear for people from all walks of life, giving everyone the ability to find the perfect gold piece!
We hope you enjoyed these jewelry facts! If you're looking to grow your jewelry collection, start browsing Monaco Chain™'s selection of timeless pieces today.
And whether you are a fan of historically inspired jewelry or you prefer ultra-modern pieces, it's important to know that taking good care of your jewelry will help you transform even your simplest pieces into family heirlooms.
Which country is famous for jewelry?
One of the coolest aspects of jewelry is that it doesn't belong to any one society or culture, with almost every
civilization throughout history finding its own way to use natural materials for adornment. That said, traditional jewelry—made out of genuine materials—from the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Far East is always highly prized.
How does jewelry tell a story?
These days, jewelry can express significant aspects of our personality or culture, allowing us to signal facts we want to be made known about ourselves—political affiliation, marital status, and much more—without needing to say a single word. Jewelry can also be hugely sentimental, helping us to feel connected to our personal or family history.
What is the rarest jewelry?
In terms of the materials used for jewelry, platinum is rarer than gold and much rarer than silver. Similarly, colored diamonds are rarer to find in nature than clear ones. When it comes to gold, 24K is also rarer to find than 10K or 14K gold, and with good reason—the higher the carat count of gold, the less durable it is, making it less ideal for daily wear.
What was the first ever jewelry?
Although we do not definitively know what the first-ever piece of jewelry created was, it was likely made with natural materials such as mollusk shells, beads, and bones.
Who made the first jewelry?
The earliest recorded jewelry dates back 142,000 to 150,000 years, although it is likely that humans made and wore more primitive types of jewelry even earlier than that!
Why was jewelry created?
Jewelry has had many different forms and functions over the centuries, such as to indicate political, spiritual/religious, and social status. Jewelry was also an important tool of trade, considered a form of payment at various points throughout human history. Today, jewelry is mostly used as a tool for self-expression.
