In medieval Europe, rings were used as a form of identification. The sort of ring a person wore provided information about an individual's occupation, social standing, and lineage (Frimer). The first drawer in my vanity holds every type of jewelry. Ranging from rings to bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. In diverse materials such as silver and gold. Every piece of jewelry I have collected or been given over the years is extremely valuable to me since every single one tells a story. They are each unique in terms of how and when they were created. Additionally, almost all of the jewelry I own is secondhand, and each has its own history from its prior owner. They are more than simply an accessory; they are a form of self-expression. They are a bold and evident approach to express who you are as a person and who you wish to be. Jewelry helps to define a person's identity. It may reflect their personality, style, culture, and even aspirations.
Jewelry comes from the Latin word "jocale," which means plaything (Slaughter). Although its original function in jewelry was seen as a plaything, it is no longer valued in that way. Jewelry has a much deeper meaning than merely wearing earrings or a necklace. Different styles of jewelry express who a person is or who they want to be. Individuals can portray themselves through their rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. These components serve as indicators of a person's culture, sentiments, and emotional identity. Rings, whether it is an engagement ring or a promise ring, can express a couple's commitment to one another. Whereas necklaces can be used as a religious symbol. Many people wear crosses and other Catholic pendants. Bracelets, beyond being used as a fashion statement, could also signify friendship and platonic love. Furthermore, earrings express an individual's style. Jewelry is like a set of keys that unlocks a variety of doors of identity and culture. Each style of jewelry provides insight about an individual's story, tradition, and sense of belonging. These different types of jewelry open doors to an array of historical backgrounds and ideologies.
Besides the fact that there are various types of jewelry, there are also different metals. There is gold, silver, platinum, copper, etc. The list goes on and on. These metals have been around for centuries and are all worked and stretched differently for various purposes. Gold does not oxidize or corrode. It can last forever if properly cared for. One ounce of gold itself can be stretched as long as 50 miles (Clark). Which also can come in various hues. There is yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Additionally, there are many kinds of gold karats. Such as 14 karat, 18 karat, and 24 karat, which have no added alloys. It is the purest form of gold (Moffett). Silver, on the other hand, is much more common and worn than gold since it is easier and cheaper to obtain. There are sterling silver, fine silver, Britannia silver, and silver-plated items. Like gold, different types of silver use alloys. Jewelers stamp their pieces with a code for the alloy that gets used. For instance, 925 indicates it is sterling silver (Clark). The history and use of these metals each vary but are all used for jewelry. Each metal is durable and is designed to wear every day and to last a good while. They represent luxury and are timeless since they are low maintenance. When owning real metals, they will not tarnish and break easily.
Jewelry comes from different eras. They had different purposes, different aesthetics. They symbolized new beginnings and departing from an old era. Starting with the Georgian Era, the jewelry consisted of many gemstones. Along with inspiration from nature, the motifs were flowers, leaves, and vines. In the Victorian era (1873-1901), gems and natural elements were also popular. Especially floral designs. They were a symbolism of love and its beauty. This era is known for its hairpieces. It was common to wear a lock of a loved one's hair inside a locket necklace. The art deco era, the 1920s through the 1930s, was known for its “geometric precision, symmetry, and a sense of opulence. Geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles, and circles were prominent, often arranged in intricate patterns that conveyed a strong sense of order and sophistication” (Khordipour). This era guided the way to modern jewelry and the luxury of diamonds and pearls. These different eras are now considered antiques since they are over 100 years old. These antique pieces are so significant because they offer a glimpse into what the world and society were like in the time they were made and worn. It shows the fashion, culture, and social norms. Even vintage jewelry, which is when it is 20 years or older, has character. These beautiful pieces get passed down from a person who has their own story with it.
Jewelry as a whole defines a person's identity. It reflects their personality, style, culture, and aspirations. Jewelry has many styles. Ranging from metals to their types to their origins, they are all unique. They hold different stories, different emotions. At one point someone from the 1900s wore a necklace that could get passed down just to land in the hands of a young person who has no idea of the significance the necklace holds. Jewelry is what makes people stand out. Jewelry is one of a kind. It brings us as humans together and provides a connection. Jewelry is so intimate. It holds memories, joy, love, etc. It creates a sense of unity. Jewelry is an eye catcher. People acknowledge when someone is wearing a piece of jewelry, whether they like the item or not. They notice, and from that alone, they can see a bit of the wearer's personality and culture. Jewelry is an obvious indication of an individual's lifestyle. As for myself, jewelry is a big indicator of who I am and my personality. Some days I wear bold and loud necklaces and rings, and other days I do not wear any jewelry at all. I use jewelry as a way to express how I feel at that moment. I can wear whatever item I feel like because I am proud of the jewelry that I own. They each have their own backstory. Some were gifts from my loved ones, whereas the others I bought secondhand. Each holds memories from when I wore them or when the previous owner did. They also represent the era I am living in now. When I look back at a certain ring that I bought, for example, I will remember what I had going on in my life at that time. Who I was at that time. Jewelry to me is a reminder of personal growth and love. A love for myself and for what the jewelry represents to me at that moment.
Works Cited
Clark, Donald. “Jewelry Metals 101: Gold, Silver, and Platinum.” International Gem Society, www.gemsociety.org/article/jewelry-metals-overview/.
Moffett, Gabby. “Different Types of Gold: Colors, Karats & More — Borsheims.” Borsheims, 9 June 2022, www.borsheims.com/blog/types-of-gold-jewelry/?srsltid=AfmBOorZTvDkDLImjEbjAJJPYoQ3DDGjRudBeYzp5Dj7vUbbtmXl1Ttp.
Khordipour, Benjamin. “The History of 7 Jewelry Eras - Estate Diamond Jewelry.” Estate Diamond Jewelry, 15 Jan. 2024, www.estatediamondjewelry.com/the-five-eras-of-antique-jewelry/?srsltid=AfmBOopdUNWmrDvVVABVyaeUKlbnLzhzqqd6vvJrnfkZ0rA7QNUrT0e5#georgian-era.
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