Many of us follow the social norm of wearing jewelry on a daily basis. Many of us may not give jewelry’s history or the reason for its initial wear much thought, since the value of jewelry in society has grown to such an accepted norm.
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Nonetheless, history reveals that jewelry has existed for hundreds of thousands of years and has long contributed to global cultural norms. What is the specific reason we wear jewelry, and what is its purpose?
The Jewelry’s Historical Background
Jewelry has a long history that begins in prehistoric times. The majority of individuals wear jewelry these days primarily for opulent and fashionable reasons, but this was not always the case for people who lived in prehistoric times or even many years later in now-classic civilizations.
Many prehistoric people used various animal bones, such as mammoth tusks, as jewelry to beautify themselves. According to one source, it has also been found that Neanderthals wore eagle feathers and talons as decorative ornamentation.
As time went on, numerous ancient societies developed unique jewelry designs and justifications for their use. As an illustration:
Egypt: As statement items, people in ancient Egypt donned metals and diamonds. These objects were thought to be protective against evil and a symbol of riches. Although jewelry was made with a variety of vibrant gemstones, gold was highly valued since it was thought to represent the sun. Because of this, a large number of pharaohs and priests were interred with gold after they died.
Greece and Rome were two ancient societies where wearing jewelry served as a social status signal. Jewelry made from exquisite metals was common in ancient Greece. Rome, on the other hand, was more interested in vibrant jewels and glass. Jewelry was manufactured with great detail in both places, and it was frequently created as a tribute to the gods and goddesses of the respective cultures.
Mesopotamia: Brightly colored stones were set into jewelry made of a variety of metals that was worn by both men and women. Fruit and leaves, among other natural features, served as frequent inspiration for these forms.
Mesoamerica: Jewelry was highly prized by the Mayan and Aztec cultures, who only used it to symbolize royalty. Whereas the Mayans frequently combined silver, gold, jade, bronze, and copper, the Aztecs preferred to choose gold for their jewelry.
China: Despite the fact that jewelry was still seen as a status signal, people from all socioeconomic groups wore it there. In general, jade and silver were prized more than other stones, and they were frequently shaped into emblems of particular ideologies, such dragons or phoenixes.
India: One of the first locations in the globe where jewelry was made is said to be India. The Indus Valley Civilization thought that wearing jewelry might draw protection and wealth, and that gold, which was highly valued and symbolized immortality, was particularly valuable.
Five Motives for Wearing Jewelry
Given the cost and discomfort associated with jewelry, why do so many people wear it? History demonstrates that there are several justifications for wearing jewelry. These explanations might be any of the following and could differ from person to person and culture to culture:
1. Promotes confidence and self-expression
Jewelry has been used as a means of body ornamentation for generations, enabling social prestige and self-expression. Wearing jewelry allows one to show off their individuality and individuality. Since jewelry allows one to stand out from the crowd, many people may feel more confident after adding it to their wardrobe.
2. Provides Emotional Worth
Some people place a lot of sentimental importance on jewelry, particularly if it was a family gift or an antique that has been handed down through the ages. Even if a piece of jewelry has a high cost associated with it, the wearer’s emotional connection to it is far more significant. For this reason, a lot of people who possess emotional jewelry keep passing it down to their kin.
3. Able to Meet Psychological Requirements
Numerous theories have been proposed about the psychological motivations underlying jewelry decoration. Humans have basic psychological needs, such as the need for a strong sense of self-worth and the ability to feel successful and valued.
Some people use jewelry to express their personalities, particularly via the choices they make about what to wear and how to wear it. Jewelry may quickly grab someone’s attention, particularly if you accessorize your clothes with a lot of dazzle.
Certain jewelry items draw attention to certain body regions, such as the belly button, face, neck, and ears, which can stimulate physical attractiveness in romantic relationships or serve as a point of contact for new acquaintances.
4. Offers Investment Choices
In addition to its sentimental significance, jewelry can have significant monetary value based on the metals and gemstones used in its creation. Furthermore, jewelry never loses value, so it may be a wise investment and security fund choice for anyone in their latter years.
In instance, demand for diamonds has always been high. They may thus always be liquidated at a premium price and have a tendency to retain their value.
Another valuable substance is gold, and with time, the cost of jewelry made of this kind of metal may rise. Because of this, accumulating jewelry over time may be an excellent way to save additional money for when you need it later in life.
5. Has Symbolic and Spiritual Significance
History has shown us that many people still associate jewelry with spiritual and symbolic implications. Today, jewelry is still a common method for many nations and faiths to express their beliefs. Since many other countries have their own customs for commemorating engagements and marriages, this is particularly evident in engagement rings from various cultures.