| The necklace is a piece of jewelry that can be | | | | to make necklaces and many other types of |
| traced back throughout history as being worn by | | | | jewelry for many centuries. |
| both men and women. They were often used as | | | | Now the Ancient Romans frowned on wearing |
| ways to make a distinction among many cultures. | | | | jewelry. There were laws that dictated how much |
| Historians and archeologists have discovered that | | | | gold a woman could wear or be buried with. |
| the necklace originated maybe forty thousand | | | | During the first century, the Roman style of |
| years before originally believed. In South Africa | | | | jewelry started using gemstones cut in circular or |
| they have excavated a cave that had over 41 | | | | rectangular shapes. |
| mollusks that were strung as possible neck | | | | The end of the second century brought about |
| jewelry nearly 75,000 years ago. | | | | piercing. This technique produced a lace like effect |
| Earlier archeologist had believed the oldest known | | | | to gold necklaces. The most popular style was |
| finding was from 30,000 B.C. It was made of | | | | the chain with different colored gems connected |
| stones, animal teeth and bones and claws and | | | | by links of gold. |
| shells strung onto thread, similar to the concept of | | | | Later on, it became popular for women to wear |
| today's necklaces. | | | | many necklaces at once. This would indicate her |
| Later, in 2500 B.C., necklaces were being made | | | | level of wealth or her class. For a few years, the |
| from gold. These gold choker and adornments | | | | popularity of necklaces waned until the late 14th |
| were discovered in Ur. Later Sumerian's began | | | | century when they regained popularity. |
| using beaded neck jewelry using examples of | | | | Now necklaces are popular among all classes of |
| colored stones, copper and other metals. | | | | people. The favorite gift from kids to their |
| The ancient Egyptians were more evolved. They | | | | mothers is the infamous stringed macaroni |
| grew from simple stringed bead necklaces to the | | | | necklace. All mothers love these since they are a |
| more complicated patterns. They also had the | | | | gift from their child's heart. |
| broad collar and pectoral type necklaces that both | | | | Necklaces are worn for a variety of reasons. One |
| men and women wore, especially the wealthy and | | | | of them is for personal decoration. Another |
| royalty. Many of these necklaces were buried | | | | reason people wear necklaces is for religious |
| with them. These necklaces were often richly | | | | significance. Necklaces with images of Saints or a |
| ornamented and were a big part of the dress | | | | simple cross are among these. |
| attire. | | | | Necklaces have been around for many, many |
| Mostly three-dimensional necklaces were created | | | | years and will most likely remain a type of |
| during the classic Greek period of around 480 to | | | | jewelry that can be constantly redesigned to stay |
| 300 B.C. These necklaces were hung from a row | | | | versatile and trendy. They have been made from |
| of flat rosette type beads. | | | | everything from animal bones and teeth to rare |
| Gold was abundant during Alexander the Great | | | | gemstones, from shells and macaroni to beads |
| period of ruling the Greek Empire. They used gold | | | | and simple metals. |