Jewellery Design

Jewelry in its most basic form has been used since the dawn of of man, in conjunction with his earliest use of clothing and tools. Until recently, researchers had believed that the ability to use symbolism did not develop until humans had migrated to the continent of Europe some 35,000 to 40,000 years ago.

The word “jewelry” is derived from the Latin word jocale, meaning “plaything,” and the word jewel, which was anglicised during the 13th century from the Old French word “jouel.” The word “jewelry” (spelled jewellery in European English) is used to describe any piece of precious material (gemstones, noble metals, etc.) used to adorn one’s self.

The first jewelry was made from readily available natural materials including animal teeth, bone, various types of shells, carved stone and wood. It is believed that jewelry started out as a functional item used to fasten articles of clothing together, and was later adapted for use as an object for purely aesthetic ornamentation, or for use as a spiritual and religious symbol.

Prolific jewelry making began with the ancestors of Homo Sapiens, the Cro-Magnons over 40,000 years ago when they began to migrate from Africa and the Middle East to the continent of Europe. Cro-Magnons eventually replaced the Neanderthals as the dominant species.

Jewelry from the Cro-Magnon period includes crudely fashioned necklaces and bracelets made of bone, teeth, mother-of-pearl, shells and stone strung together with a piece of twine or animal sinew. The earliest signs of metallurgy occurred around 7,000 years ago when humans began using forged copper to make jewelry.