OLDEST JEWELRY
The earliest known pieces of jewelry date back around 100,000 years. You’re probably wondering what these were. Maybe some lovely gemstones or diamonds? In actuality, the earliest items of jewelry discovered are only a pair of shell beads. These organic beads were most likely used for decoration and symbolic purposes.
The first diamond was discovered in India in the fourth century. Because of their incredible endurance and radiance, they rapidly became highly coveted. Until the 18th century, people believed that India was the only source of diamonds, but in 1866, a diamond weighing more than 21 carats was discovered in South Africa, which rose to become one of the top diamond suppliers.
PRECIOUS BONDS
In the Western world, we are so accustomed to the concept of engagement rings that it is difficult to imagine a time when this custom did not exist. It wasn’t until 1477, when amorous Maximilian of Austria gave his beloved Mary of Burgundy a ring as a promise of their approaching marriage. This became popular, and today’s engagement rings are a multibillion-dollar industry.
Diamonds have surpassed all other gemstones in popularity throughout the twentieth century. Today, more than 80% of couples chose a diamond engagement ring, up from 10% in 1939! All other jewels together account for only about 13% of overall engagement ring production.
The Shape of Gems
There are several hundred types of gemstones out there, but only two are formed in the earth’s mantle. These are diamonds and peridot. Although they’re formed deep within the mantle, these gemstones are mined in the crust. That’s where all other gemstones are mined too.
Sapphires come in every color under the sun, except red. That’s because red sapphires are known as rubies. In every way, but their name and color, these two gemstones are almost identical.
Platinum is much rarer than all other precious metals, with the annual output beings 15 times less than that of gold and 100 times less than that of silver. In fact, it is said that all the platinum every mined would fit in an average American living room.
In the early 20th century, the process of culturing pearls began on a commercial basis, making it possible to farm pearls. This made pearls readily accessible to everyone. Even today, almost all pearls you find on the market are cultured pearls.
Allure of a Jewelry
Some jewelry that women own has a much higher sentimental value than its monetary value. For example, a five hundred dollar engagement ring can have a much greater intrinsic value and be something to cherish forever. Moreover, its sentimental value may increase as it is passed down to future generations. While jewelry has traditionally been the domain of women, men are experimenting with jewelry more often than ever before. As in the world of hip-hop, heavy gold chains and bracelets, medals, rings, earrings, dental ornaments, and cell phone cases made of metal and precious stones have become the hallmark, now men and women have the same interest in jewelry for themselves.
a voyage to utopia
HOW TO ENRICH OUR LIVES
Jewelry has an unquestionable ability to bring out the best in a woman’s features and personality when the right piece is worn by the right individual to the right occasion. Diamonds have been sought-after for centuries and are always in high demand regardless of any fluctuating economies and happenings in society. The high demand for diamonds, as well as gold, ensures that jewelry holds its value and will always be easy to liquidate when needed. Gold is a precious metal, and gold bracelets, rings, and necklaces can easily be melted down and turned into bullion bars and new pieces of jewelry. The value of gold remains relatively stable unlike that of cash, which fluctuates depending on economic factors. For instance, the current global economic crisis is not having an impact on gold prices, which continues to increase.