Gemstones are natural or organic materials that have been valued for their beauty, rarity, and durability since ancient times. They have been used to adorn jewellery and other objects for various purposes, such as expressing status, identity, beliefs, or emotions. In this blog post, I will give you an overview of the history of gemstone jewellery, from the prehistoric era to the modern day.
You can also check out some of the beautiful and unique gemstone jewellery pieces in our collections page here: wholesalejewelleryuk.com/collections.
Prehistoric era
The earliest evidence of jewellery making dates back to about 100,000 years ago, when humans used shells, bones, feathers, and pebbles to create ornaments. Some of the oldest known gemstones are amber, coral, jet, and pearl, which are organic materials that come from plants or animals. These gemstones were probably worn for their symbolic or magical properties, as well as for their aesthetic appeal.
Ancient civilizations
As humans developed more advanced skills and tools, they began to mine and work with metals and minerals, such as gold, silver, copper, and bronze. They also discovered and traded more varieties of gemstones, such as turquoise, lapis lazuli, carnelian, agate, amethyst, and garnet. Different civilizations had different preferences and meanings for gemstones. For example:
- In Ancient China, jade was considered the most precious stone, as it symbolized purity, harmony, and longevity. Jade was carved into intricate shapes and patterns and used for jewellery, ritual objects, and imperial seals. Read our blog here: History of gemstone jewellery in Ancient China - for a more detailed history of gemstone jewellery in Ancient China.
- In Ancient Egypt, gemstones were associated with the gods and the afterlife. Lapis lazuli was especially prized for its deep blue colour and gold flecks, which resembled the night sky. Lapis lazuli was used to decorate the sarcophagi and masks of pharaohs and nobles. Read our blog here: Overview of the history of gemstone jewellery in Ancient Egypt - for a more detailed history of gemstone jewellery in Ancient Egypt.
- In Ancient Greece and Rome, gemstones were valued for their beauty and rarity. They were also believed to have healing or protective powers. For instance, amethyst was thought to prevent drunkenness, ruby was thought to inspire courage, and emerald was thought to enhance love. Read our blogs here: Ancient Greece and it's history with gemstone jewellery and An overview of the history of gemstone jewellery in Ancient Rome for detailed histories of gemstone jewellery from Ancient Greece and Rome.
Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages in Europe, gemstones were mainly worn by royalty and nobility as a display of wealth and power. The most sought-after gemstones were ruby, sapphire, emerald, and pearl. These were often set in gold or silver jewellery with intricate designs and enamels. Gemstones were also used for religious purposes, such as decorating crosses, reliquaries, and rosaries.
Renaissance
The Renaissance period saw a revival of interest in classical art and culture. Gemstones became more accessible and affordable due to the expansion of trade routes and exploration of new lands. New sources of gemstones were discovered in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Some of the new gemstones that entered the European market were diamond, topaz, peridot, opal, turquoise, coral, and amethyst. Gemstones were also cut and polished more skillfully to enhance their brilliance and colour.
Modern era
The modern era witnessed many changes and innovations in the field of gemstone jewellery. Some of the notable developments include:
- The invention of new cutting techniques that increased the sparkle and fire of diamonds
- The discovery of new gemstones such as tanzanite (1967), alexandrite (1830), kunzite (1902), morganite (1910), etc.
- The creation of synthetic or lab-grown gemstones that mimic the appearance and properties of natural ones
- The development of treatments or enhancements that improve the colour or clarity of gemstones
- The emergence of new styles and trends that reflect the social and cultural movements of each era
Today
Today, gemstone jewellery is more diverse and accessible than ever before. You can find gemstones in all shapes, sizes, colours, and prices. You can also choose from a variety of settings, materials, and designs. You can even customise your own jewellery with your favourite gemstones. Gemstone jewellery is not only a way to express your personal style, but also a way to connect with the history and meaning of these natural wonders.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post on the history of gemstone jewellery. If you want to learn more about gemstones check out our other gemstone blogs here: wholesalejewelleryuk.com/blogs/gemstones.You can also check out some of the beautiful and unique gemstone jewellery pieces in our collections page here: wholesalejewelleryuk.com/collections. Thank you for reading and happy shopping! 😊