The variety that jewelry offers is considerable, both in materials and products.
Jewelry is the activity that consists of making jewelry . A jewel, meanwhile, is an ornament made of precious metals .
More meanings and examples
Beyond alluding to the trade , the notion of jewelry has other meanings. It can also be used to name the place where jewelry is sold or produced and the marketing of this type of products .
For example: “My grandfather, who is a jewelry maker, gave me this ring that he himself created in his workshop,” “Three armed criminals robbed a jewelry store in the center and took a million pesos,” “Jewelry is a very lucrative activity in this country.”
Imitation jewelry
It is important not to confuse jewelry with costume jewelry (or bijouterie ). Jewelry involves working with high-value materials, such as gold or silver , and often includes the use of gems ( rubies , diamonds , etc.). Costume jewelry, on the other hand, produces its creations with non-precious metals, plastics and other cheaper elements.
History of jewelry
As for jewelry design, its origins are as remote as several millennia, which is why its study can help us better understand the cultures of the past and the relationship we have with them, given that this art has endured and continues to be in force. Metallurgists and goldsmiths began this practice that, after industrialization, became a business that moves an enormous amount of money globally.
The oldest examples of jewelry that we know of were made by Neanderthals from the European continent, so it is not entirely accurate to say that they belong to the legacy of our species ( Homo sapiens ). These are perforated beads made from seashells that are around 115,000 years old. They were found in the Cueva de los Aviones , southeast of Spain. We also have some beads that were found in Enkapune Ya Muto , Kenya, as well as a ring and bracelet from Russia, all with an age exceeding 40,000 years.
With the arrival of the first modern humans in Europe, bracelets and necklaces made with bones, stones, berries or teeth, as well as animal tendons to tie their parts, appeared. There are also known pieces of bone that were used to hold their clothes. Another material that can be found in jewelry from that time is mother-of-pearl, also known as mother-of-pearl , which is found on the inside of the shell of various mollusks. In this context we can mention the Star Carr pendant, found in North Yorkshire, Great Britain, and with an age of around 13,000 years.
Only around seven millennia ago did ancient jewelers begin to use copper to make their products. It is very important to mention that in 2012 a group of archaeologists found the tomb of a jeweler who worked with fine metals, something that until then was believed to be exclusive to men. This is another example of machismo when it comes to telling the story, but also of the importance of reviewing it to find a fairer and more balanced version.
An amethyst ring in white gold
Artisan or industrial
While there are jewelers who carry out their work in an artisanal way, there are professionals with academic studies who plan, design and layout the pieces before production, using different systems and machines .
The production method has a direct impact on the price of the jewelry, as well as the materials used and the exclusivity of the pieces.
Among the most famous jewelry brands, we can name Tiffany & Co. This company has jewelry stores in emblematic locations in New York ( United States ) and in many other cities around the world.