Until the 18th century, it was believed that India was the only country where diamonds could be found. Despite new supplies arriving after this, it has remained the most renowned of precious stones for use in jewelry. But when creating a collection, is it all about the diamond ring?
Luckily, jewelry goes much further than this with many different variations. Read on as we discuss the types of jewelry you should have in your collection.
Table of Contents
Earrings
The face is usually the first thing a person notices about you. As such, the earing should aim to enhance and accentuate the shape. They come in a range of types, from studs to hoops. You can try to find nice diamond hoop earrings online and complement the shape of your face.
Earrings date back as far as jewelry has been worn. The oldest examples came from the bronze age, around 5000 years ago. Persian soldiers took them into battle, and in Ancient Egypt, they were even worn by cats!
The standard method for affixing an earing is to hoop it through a pierced hole in the ear lobe. However, earrings can now also be clip-on and have screw backs. You may also find many areas of the ear now get pierced other than the lobe.
The face is usually the first thing a person notices about you. As such, the earing should aim to enhance and accentuate the shape. They come in a range of types, from studs to hoops.
$57.4 million is the most ever paid for an earring. Named “Apollo and Artemis” it contained one of the purest diamonds in the world.
Rings
Rings are one of the most worn kinds of jewelry. They are usually bands that slip on the fingers, though they can also reside on the toes. While many get made from precious metals, they can come from a range of materials.
Part of their appeal is the message behind them. In many traditions, they show a person is engaged or married. They can also be an outward display of wealth.
One example of this in history is the signet ring. These chunky rings would bear the emblem of a family or person. They could stamp the image into wax, giving it an official seal.
There are only a few examples of rings remaining from ancient times before this. This is because many came from natural materials that cracked or damaged easily, such as bones, shells, or wood. The earliest examples date from about 5000 years ago.
A ring once worn by King Philip IV of Spain is the most expensive, selling for $80 million. Its name is the Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond Ring and resides at the National Museum of Natural History in the country.
Necklaces
Necklaces are another of the oldest jewelry styles. They are decorative items that hang around the neck, on a chain or thread. Originally, they were decorated with bones, feathers, and shells.
Today, chain necklaces are the most common type. These chains themselves can be highly decorative and distinct.
Ball chains are made from a series of tiny beads. They link together to form a long chain of decoration. One of the most popular examples of these is pearl necklaces.
Another popular type of chain is a cable. These have small, flat circular rings locking together. Curb chains are similar but have a more oval shape.
At the end of these chains is often a decorative item, usually a pendant. This is a hanging token, adorned with materials and precious stones. Lockets can also be worn that keep in photographs or sentimental items.
Watches
Many people believe that jewelry should be an item that is purely decorative. This means many people exclude watches, which are also used for the practical job of telling the time. However, due to the range of styles and types on offer, a watch is certainly a type of jewelry.
The most popular type of watch today is the wristwatch. This encloses a small timepiece on a band around the wrist. Before this, they were worn on a chain that attached to a waistcoat, shirt, or sat in the pocket.
Modern watches became popular around 1916 when reports emerged of people wearing clocks around their wrists. In WWI, watches became an extremely practical item and part of an officer’s kit. This brought them out of the niche and into mainstream use.
Bracelets
Bracelets are bands worn around the wrist, or even sometimes the ankles. They can come from a range of materials, from fibers and threads to precious metals. They will often get decorated with items that are just as varied, from plastics to precious stones.
Many people use bracelets to infer meaning, much like the ring does in other cultures. It can show someone’s marital status, or even denote wealth.
The name derives from the Greek term “Brachile”, which means of the arm. The most expensive bracelet sold to date was worth $31 million. Known as the Gulf Pearl bracelet, it contained 12 diamonds.
Brooch
Brooches are another classic piece of jewelry, that seems to be used less than others. They have come in and out of fashion throughout history. However, a good selection of brooches is one of the things to consider if you want to add sparkle and shine to a fairly plain outfit.
A brooch is a small trinket that attaches with a clasp to the body of an outfit. In Victorian times, they would house a trinket of deceased loved ones and be used for mourning. This may explain why they fell out of fashion somewhat in later years.
Types of Jewelry
Now you know the type of jewelry, you can begin to build a collection. Choose pieces you love, and make sure you set a budget. Remember that most jewelry will only appreciate in value. If you found this article informative, we have many more to help. From clothing to accessories, we can help you stay on trend this season.
