| Throughout time, man has sought to decorate | | | | Over the years there has even been functional |
| the human body and this has manifested as | | | | jewelry such as the medical alert items, |
| body painting, tattoos, piercing and for | | | | which have saved many peoples lives. Identity |
| those a little squeamish or less brave, | | | | type bracelets worn by a person who has a |
| decoration by the wearing of adornments | | | | medical condition or requires vital |
| generally know as jewelry. | | | | medication have helped medical personnel |
| | | | decide on appropriate treatment when faced |
| In ancient times, jewelry may have been | | | | with a person who has been rendered incapable |
| simple pieces made from natural materials | | | | of communicating because of for instance an |
| such as shells plucked from the seashore or | | | | accident. |
| pebbles worn smooth and polished by years of | | | | |
| being tumbled along the sea or river bed. | | | | Over recent years, popular items have been |
| These would have been strung together perhaps | | | | the brightly coloured rubber bracelets sold |
| as necklaces or wrist pieces as early | | | | in aid of various charities, which |
| examples of a charm bracelet. Nature gives up | | | | demonstrate that the wearer supports that |
| so many beautiful things that can be used to | | | | cause and has donated money to help raise |
| make items such as earrings, rings, | | | | funds for that cause. Some traditionalists |
| bracelets, hair pieces and so the list goes | | | | may not regard these strictly as being |
| on. | | | | jewelry although who said that the article |
| | | | had to be expensive or made from precious |
| Skilled craftsmen would have laboured for | | | | metals to qualify for the name. |
| many hours intricately carving small pieces | | | | |
| of bone, ivory or wood to fashion exquisite | | | | In modern times, we have seen a huge increase |
| unique pieces of jewelry, no two of which | | | | in the type and variety of jewelry available |
| would ever be the same. | | | | and the discovery of new strong and |
| | | | lightweight metals such as titanium or other |
| To ancient man, jewelry was not just | | | | alloys has given rise to new many new |
| decorative but very symbolic and the wearer | | | | possibilities. Man made materials such as |
| often held the belief that these trinkets | | | | acrylics and plastics also lend themselves |
| were lucky, that they would ward off evil | | | | very well to the manufacture of affordable, |
| spirits or that they would even help them | | | | colourful jewelry and in the shops you can |
| defeat their enemies in battle. | | | | see many examples of wonderful, bright and |
| | | | modern fun items, to be worn on any occasion |
| To the Romans and Ancient Egyptians the | | | | as the mood takes.Whilst most of us choose to |
| wearing of jewelry and the type of jewelry | | | | spend a little extra on that special piece of |
| worn was a direct indication of a persons | | | | jewelry such as our wedding rings, we now |
| standing in the community. Large heavy ornate | | | | have an endless choice of less expensive |
| pieces forged from solid precious metals such | | | | everyday jewelry which we can change to suit |
| as gold, encrusted with precious or semi | | | | our mood or match our outfit. |
| precious gemstones were a sign to say | | | | |
| â€" look how rich and important I | | | | Who knows what the future holds with regard |
| am. | | | | to the designs and materials we will have at |
| | | | our disposal to make attractive pieces of |
| Styles and materials may have changed over | | | | jewelry to be worn by both men and women. One |
| time but the wearing of jewelry has always | | | | thing is for certain and that is that there |
| been a practice adopted by both men and | | | | will be a never ending supply with something |
| women. | | | | to suit all tastes and all budgets from the |
| | | | most traditional to the most contemporary. |