Jewellery

Jewellery consists of decorative items worn for personal adornment.

These ornaments can be attached directly to the body or to clothing. Common examples include rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. Some jewellery is designed to be worn for long periods or is difficult to remove. This specific type is called permanent jewellery. In Western perspectives, the term usually refers to durable ornaments. This definition often excludes temporary items like flowers.

Humans use jewellery for many different reasons. Many pieces serve as functional tools, such as brooches or buckles that once helped fix clothing in place. Over time, these items evolved into purely decorative objects. Jewellery also acts as a marker of social or personal status. A wedding ring is a common example of this. It can also signify affiliation with a specific ethnic, religious, or social group. For instance, a Christian crucifix or a Jewish Star of David shows group membership.

Beyond social meaning, jewellery can provide talismanic protection. These protective items are known as amulets. They may use symbols like the ankh or the Khamsa to ward off evil. Some people use jewellery to carry personal meanings, such as love, mourning, or luck. In many cultures, jewellery also serves as a way to store wealth. Some societies use jewellery as a currency or a trade good. An example of this is the historical use of slave beads.

Creating jewellery requires many specialized materials and methods. Goldsmiths and silversmiths often use precious metals like gold and silver. Silver used in jewellery is frequently sterling silver, which is 92.5% fine silver. Platinum alloys are also used, ranging from 900 to 950 purity. Jewelers also use gemstones, which are selected for rarity, hardness, and optical properties. Some gemstones are organic, meaning they come from living organisms. Examples include pearls, coral, and amber. Amber is tree resin that must be at least one million years old to be classified as such.

Craftsmen use various techniques to shape these materials. They may use forging, casting, soldering, or welding. Some use carving or "cold-joining," which involves using adhesives, staples, or rivets. Metals can also receive different finishes to change their appearance. A high-polish finish creates a very shiny, reflective surface. A satin or matte finish reduces reflection to highlight gemstones. Other textures include brushed finishes or hammered finishes, which use a steel hammer to create a wavy texture.

Jewellery is one of the oldest types of archaeological artefacts. The oldest known jewellery is thought to be 100,000-year-old beads made from Nassarius shells. While many forms change, some remain extremely long-lived. In European cultures, common forms like necklaces and rings have persisted since ancient times. Other cultures place high importance on adornments for the nose or the ankle.

Gemstones like diamonds have fascinating histories and global impacts. Diamonds were first mined in India. Today, countries like Australia, Botswana, Russia, and Canada are primary producers. Some diamonds are called "blood diamonds" if they are mined in war zones to finance an insurgency. One famous example is the Cullinan Diamond in the British crown jewels. It was part of the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats, which is about 621.35 grams.

Other stones offer unique cultural and scientific value. Emeralds have been treasured since at least 3500 BC by the Egyptians. Jade is often called the "stone of heaven" in Asian traditions. Turquoise is highly valued for its blue color and is closely linked to Native American jewellery. Even small beads play a role in complex crafts. Seed beads are tiny beads used in woven styles or bead embroidery. This technique was popular during the Victorian era and remains a popular handwork in African and indigenous North American cultures.