| ry or ornament is worn for personal beautification | | | | symbolizes group membership or represents |
| and dates back to over 100,000 years. It | | | | status such as a ring connotes married people. |
| originated in the form of beads made from shell | | | | Jewelry is usually crafted in gold, silver, white gold, |
| which happens to be the oldest body ornament. | | | | platinum or palladium. |
| Jewelry made of precious metals, gem stones or | | | | American or European gold jewelry`s purity is |
| other natural materials is a prized possession. | | | | stated in carats. The American gold jewelry has |
| Each eye catching piece of jewelry is classified | | | | at least 10K purity while European ornaments |
| under traditional and contemporary designs. Today | | | | have 9K purity where as 22K or 24K jewelry of |
| jewelry is exclusively used as a decorative item | | | | highest quality and is confined to the Asian, |
| where as during earlier times it was created for | | | | African and Middle Eastern countries. |
| performing practical function such as pinning | | | | Platinum alloy range of jewelry has 90% to 95% |
| clothes together, storage purposes or was an | | | | purity while silver jewelry is basically made of |
| index of wealth and status. | | | | sterling silver. In costume jewelry, stainless steel, |
| In ancient times natural materials such as bones, | | | | glass, enamel, natural clay and other such |
| animal teeth, wood, shell and carved stones were | | | | materials are primarily used. Beaded jewelry often |
| transformed into attractive items. These were | | | | constitutes necklaces, ear rings, bracelets and |
| worn as jewelry adornment in almost all body | | | | belts. |
| parts from the tip of the head to toes. Today, | | | | The beads are of various sizes and they often |
| stunning pieces of ear rings, nose rings, bangles | | | | adorn the neck as a beaded collar or wrist in the |
| and necklaces, etc. made of fabulous gem stones, | | | | form beaded bracelet. This jewelry type was |
| gold and platinum is in high demand. | | | | dominant during the Victorian era; however, a |
| Contemporary jewelry, displaying creativity and | | | | strong resurgence has been noticed in most |
| design, along with affordable costume jewelry | | | | countries, especially in the African regions. |
| from less expensive mass produced materials has | | | | Silversmiths and goldsmiths craftsmanship has |
| also made inroads in the jewelry market. The | | | | produced many collector`s items. Diamonds are |
| latest trend includes wire (wrap) jewelry which | | | | the most popular gem stones used in crafting |
| uses wire as base metal along with tumbled stone | | | | stunning jewelry items ranging from rings to |
| to precious metal and gemstones. | | | | tiaras. Other precious and semi precious gem |
| Jewelry has many uses, the primary use of this | | | | stones such as emerald, sapphire, ruby, jade and |
| ornament is that it is used as a form of currency | | | | quartz, etc. have all been used to produce eye |
| and displays the owner`s wealth. It has other | | | | catching and attractive ornaments. Culture has |
| functional uses such as clasps, pins, buckles or | | | | always molded the trend in jewelry from ancient |
| brooches, etc. or simply used as status symbol or | | | | history to the current times. |
| as a form of protection such as amulets which is | | | | Recently, bold jewelry such as piercings is in |
| believed to ward off evil spirits. | | | | vogue while the hip hop culture has popularized |
| In the ancient as well as in modern times, many | | | | gaudy ornaments. Jewelry is frequently offered |
| practice the custom of amassing wealth in the | | | | as gifts and worn by men as well as women. The |
| form of jewelry. Wedding dowries centers on | | | | U.S. has the largest jewelry market in the world |
| jewelry exchange, as a source of future security | | | | but it is believed that by the next decade the |
| or just as a trading source. Jewelry also | | | | share of India and China will grow dramatically. |