| Jewelry is categorized under two subdivisions, | | | | today. This is believed to stem from the fact that |
| contemporary and traditional, each displaying | | | | this pattern of stocking of jewelry is a source of |
| attractive and eye catching designs. Both classic | | | | future security against economical blow down or |
| groups exhibit jewelry constituting of precious | | | | other such unforeseen eventualities. Wedding in |
| gem stones, gold, silver, other metals and natural | | | | the Asian countries still centers around jewelry |
| materials. | | | | gifts and exchanges between the two parties |
| The primary objective of wearing jewelry as | | | | which again reinforces the phenomenon of |
| pieces of ornament is to look beautiful and this | | | | security considerations. In some nations, it is a |
| trend is not confined to recent times but rather | | | | renowned practice for commercial trading while in |
| from time immemorial, as jewelry has been | | | | other countries, jewelry, especially ornaments of |
| associated with women for their personal | | | | gold, symbolizes group bonding and wearing a ring |
| beautification. The origin dates back to ancient | | | | connotes the marital status of people. |
| times when beads and shells were used as body | | | | The purity of American or European gold is |
| ornaments, while bones, wood, elephant tusk and | | | | specified in karats. While the American gold |
| ornamental stones were carved and etched to | | | | jewelry has at least 10K purity, the European |
| produce attractive artifacts. | | | | ornaments center around 9K purity. In the Asia, |
| They had widespread usage ranging from | | | | Middle East and Africa, the gold jewelry of highest |
| functional utility like pinning clothes or were status | | | | purity of 22K or 24K is mostly prevalent. Other |
| symbols and adorned the person from head to | | | | precious metals such as Platinum alloy range of |
| toe. However, nowadays the increasing demand | | | | jewelry are of 90% and 95% purity while silver |
| for jewelry pieces has made craftsmen more | | | | jewelry is predominantly known to be of sterling |
| creative and stunning items in gold, silver, platinum | | | | silver. |
| and gem stones have flooded the market in | | | | Costume jewelry primarily constitutes of items |
| variety of styles and designs. The major items | | | | made of enamel, natural clay, stainless steel, glass |
| include necklaces, amulets, bangles, bracelets, | | | | and other such similar raw materials. Necklaces, |
| earrings, nose ring, anklets to name a few. | | | | earrings, bracelets and belts, etc., made of bead |
| Today, the jewelry designs are not merely based | | | | are also very popular, especially with the younger |
| on the traditional metals, rather the contemporary | | | | generation. Necklaces and bracelets made of |
| jewelry items reveal a gamut of materials ranging | | | | various sizes of beads were highly popular during |
| from wire, tumbled stone and other lesser known | | | | the Victorian Era, however, these types of |
| elements. They create affordable and inexpensive | | | | jewelry has always been in vogue in the African |
| items which are popular with masses and are | | | | countries. This trend has made fresh inroads in |
| used as accessories to highlight the wearer's | | | | other parts of the world as well. |
| appearance. The manifold functions of jewelry are | | | | Collectors' items of jewelry have been known to |
| widely acknowledged. It is still used as a form of | | | | be produced from excellent craftsmanship of |
| currency and exhibits the affluence of the owner. | | | | silversmiths and goldsmiths. Tiaras and rings from |
| The lesser known usage includes buckles, clasps, | | | | dazzling diamonds have captivated the market for |
| brooches or pins, as well as amulets which are | | | | a long time, especially within the affluent class. |
| mostly worn to ward off evil influences, according | | | | Precious stones, besides diamonds, such as |
| to ancient superstition. | | | | emerald, sapphire, ruby, jade and quartz, etc., |
| From the ancient periods, the trend of amassing | | | | have also been used to create and design |
| wealth through jewelry acquisition still continues | | | | spectacular range of attractive jewelry items. |