Jewelry is a loved and treasured accessory all over the globe. Jewelry has been around since ancient times and has played an important role in culture and in tradition. 

Jewelry was hand made by Native American tribes and were originally made out of raw materials such as bones, shells, and stones. Wearing jewelry is believed to have protective and healing properties in many cultures. The people of ancient Egypt for an example would wear jewelry because it was believed to have protective properties. In more recent time periods, jewelry is made out of numerous varieties of gemstones, metals, beads, and other extraordinary materials. Gold and silver has been used in jewelry making for over thousands of years, and both metals are still used in jewelry popularly worn by today’s society. 

Jewelry design has been detailed and sculpted by many well known people and places all over the world. The ancient Greeks used jewelry as a way to honor their gods and represent their religious beliefs and practices. Roman jewelry often included intricate designs and natural gemstones. The use of pearls in jewelry dates all the way back to ancient China. In medieval Europe, jewelry was seen as a status symbol and was used for appropriation. Stones like diamonds became more popular in the 19th century and are still a jewelry staple today.

Jewelry has been a huge part of tradition for a very long period of time. Wedding rings for example are a worldwide tradition that dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Birthstones also have been used in jewelry for ages, which people still look for in today’s jewelry stores. Following tradition, very frequently pieces of jewelry become heirlooms and are passed down through generations. Often, heirloom jewelry pieces have been customized with engravings or personal messages. Jewelry has even been passed down from the military of personalized dog tags as a way of identification of soldiers.

Jewelry can be worn on many parts of the body. Jewelry is specially made to fit fingers, wrists, arms, waists, ankles, ears, necks, headpieces, and many more. Earrings can come in many styles, such as studs, hoops, and dangles. Necklaces can vary in lengths, such as chokers, or long opera length strands. Bracelets can vary from bangles, cuffs, or more of a chain style. Rings can be simple bands or have gemstones worked into them. Jewelry can even be in the form of piercings and allow people to express their likes and interests.