Brief History
Pre-Historic -
Decorative sea shell beads found in the archeological digs in Morocco and various other parts in Africa. Beads made from bone and animal teeth found in France. Fossilized shells and ivory beads found in what is now known as Czech Rep
4500 BC –
Turkey, ancient Greece (Macedonia) and Albania produced the oldest known objects made from gold.
5000- 20 BC -
Copper begin to be used in jewelry, and gold arrives in Egypt around 4000 BC as the Egyptians started to make jewelry designs based on scarab beetles, winged birds, tigers and antelopes. Popular gemstones of that time were amethyst, carnelian, chalcedony, lapis lazuli and turquoise
1400 - 50BC -
Greek jewelry was made in the style of animals and shells using amethysts, pearls, chalcedony, carnelian, garnet and emeralds.
500 BC - 500 AD - A
- Ancient Rome preferred seal-rings, brooches, amulets and talismans with the designs of animals and snakes. Most popular gemstones were sapphires, emeralds, pearls, amber, garnets and diamonds.
1300 -1840
Arrival of Renaissance and Georgian time period brought rise of jewelry use in entire Europe. Necklaces (single or multi strand), earrings (ordinary or with chandeliers), and many other designs were decorated with the images of animals. Intricately designed gemstones became very popular to the point that diamond jewelry became commonly used as a part of evening attire.
1837 - 1901
Reign of English Queen Victoria had a profound effect of fashion and jewelry tastes in Europe
Early 1900s
These years were for the Art Nouveau and Edwardian jewelry.
1915 - 1940 –
The Art Deco was introduced as a jewelry of vibrant colors with geometrical shapes, abstract designs. It also popularized wearing of wristwatches.
1939 - 1949 -
- Because of influence of World War II and widespread embargoes on gemstones, popular jewelry shifted to the more metal based designs adorned with patriotic motifs set with inexpensive and synthetic gemstones.
1950s
- Post war years saw the return of brightly colored jewelry, heavy use of rhinestones and big beads. Diamonds solidified its spot as the most popular gemstone.