Vein Agate
The History of Jewelry – Part I
Layered, stacked, draped, pinned or crowned, jewelry has always been a statement of personality, style and power. Even the earliest known civilizations exhibited a desire for personal adornment, using jewelry as an expression of their rank. These ornamental findings show that as each society advanced, their jewelry also developed a distinctive style that reflected their cultural voice.
What is known today about ancient jewelry has quite literally been unearthed. Most often, ancient jewels have been found buried with the dead or in hidden caches, most likely secreted during uprisings and wars. Excavations show that both men and women wore jewelry – and lots of it.
Both genders wore earrings, arm bands, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, head pieces, ankle bracelets, brooches, rings and more. Headbands were prominent amongst royals and attendants. Full body adornments and common layering of multiple pieces was part of their daily dress. In death, especially amongst royals, they were adorned to the hilt with jewelry worn during life. Even the poor were buried with simple necklaces.
As today, the quantity and quality of jewelry represented each person’s social and economic standing. The designs and workmanship reflected the culture’s technical and commercial sophistication.
Early jewelry was quite simple and created from indigenous materials such as beads, seeds, berries, shells, bones and teeth. Engineering advancements led to the drilling and carving of stone and a broader selection of materials. The varied materials accelerated the advancement of technical skills, with metallurgy forging the way.
Gold was the first metal widely used to showcase technical craftsmanship. Its rare beauty and malleable composition made it attractive for craftsman, especially throughout the Mesopotamian region of Egypt, Nubia and Arabia. These areas all housed abundant indigenous reserves. Beginning metalworking techniques were simple and effectively utilized culturally significant designs of ribbons, discs, and leaf shapes. Comfort with the metal led to advanced designs, which included veining and embossed leaves and a variety of clasp mechanisms.
Design and workmanship that was culturally relevant and unique to a localized area soon spread across the Mesopotamian region. The proliferation of trade spawned a cross-fertilization of gems, materials and techniques. As a result, a significant quantity of jewelry was designed using combinations of gold, lapis lazuli, cornelian and agate -all indigenous to the region.
Egyptians were the greatest civilization to utilize jewelry as symbols in every part of their lives. A people of many rituals and gods, religiously significant symbols, such as the sun, serpents, birds and bugs, began to appear more prominently in Egyptian jewelry motifs. As the Egyptian empire grew, so did its influence on other cultures. An exploration of the next phase in history is forthcoming.
About the Author
Yvette Craddock is the managing member of ShopStyleFolio.com, a site devoted to helping women define themselves through bold, modern and luxurious jewelry. Only one of each piece of jewelry is offered. Once it is sold, it will not be available again. The site is reinventing the way women shop for jewelry through its exclusive features and community-oriented programs.
Join Yvette on Twitter (@YvetteCraddock), Facebook, LinkedIn, Myspace and You Tube (Style Folio).
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10mm Purple Dragon Veins Agate Gem Round Loose Bead15” $2.25 |
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DRAGON VEINS AGATE+RAINBOW MOONSTONE+GREEN QUARTZ+OPALITE NECKLACE 19″; B6028 $25.57 |
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14.5″L Black Dragon Veins Agate Gem Rondelle Loose Bead $8.25 |
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5P Dragon Veins Agate Abacus Spacer European Charm Bead $3.59 |
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2 1/4″ DRAGON VEINS AGATE GEMSTONE PENDANT $0.99 |
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8mm Black Agate Gemstone Dargon Veins Round Loose Beads $5.99 |
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14MM Black Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D110 $11.99 |
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12MM Black Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D109 $10.99 |
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10MM Black Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D108 $8.99 |
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8MM Black Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D107 $7.99 |
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14MM Red Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D105 $11.99 |
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12MM Red Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D104 $10.99 |
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10MM Red Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D103 $8.99 |
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8MM Red Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D102 $7.99 |
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6MM Red Veins Agate Faceted Loose Beads Gemstone 15″L D101 $7.99 |
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10mm Fire Dragon Veins Agate Round Loose Beads 15″ L4264 $4.48 |
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B0010790 Charming Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $0.71 |
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8mm Pink Frost Dream Fire Dragon Veins Agate Loose Beads 15″ $2.50 |
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B0010793 Intriguing Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $3.50 |
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Blue Dragon Veins Drum Agate Beads Gemstone 15″L LG158 $4.99 |
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10MM Pink Fire Dragon Veins Agate Bead Gem Strand LG217 $4.99 |
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6MM Blue Veins Agate Round Beads Gemstone Strand LG221 $2.99 |
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12MM Blue Veins Agate Round Beads Gemstone Strand LG218 $6.99 |
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4MM Red Veins Agate Round Beads Gemstone Strand LG245 $2.99 |
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30×10MM Dragon Veins Agate Gemstone Beads Strand LG244 $4.99 |
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4MM Purple Veins Agate Round Bead Gemstone Strand LG243 $2.99 |
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Fashion Blue Dragon Veins Drum Agate Beads Gemstone G158 $4.95 |
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6MM Purple Veins Agate Round Loose Beads Gemstone G195 $3.39 |
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8mm Fire Dragon Veins Agate Round Loose Beads 15″ L4266 $5.05 |
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B0010797 Silver Plated Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $2.75 |
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12MM Cyan Veins Dragon Agate Round Beads Gemstone LG006 $5.79 |
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8MM Dream Fire Veins Agate Round Gem Beads 14″L LG001 $3.79 |
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10MM Purple Veins Agate Round Bead Gemstone 15.5″ LG193 $4.99 |
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8MM Fire Dragon Veins Agate Loose Gemstone Beads LG031 $3.39 |
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12MM Pink Fire Dragon Veins Agate Bead Gem Strand LG224 $6.59 |
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10MM Pink Dragon Veins Agate Round GEM Bead 15.5″ LG013 $4.59 |
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14 mm Fire Dragon Veins Agate Geode Druzy Loose Beads 15″ L4273 $3.54 |
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B0010777 Gorgeous Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $2.25 |
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12 mm Fire Dragon Veins Agate Geode Druzy Loose Beads 15″ L4272 $6.58 |
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12 mm Fire Dragon Veins Agate Geode Druzy Loose Beads 15″ L4271 $3.25 |
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E0005871 Beautiful Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $2.99 |
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12 mm Fire Dragon Veins Agate Geode Druzy Loose Beads 15″ L4275 $4.30 |
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B0010770 Charming Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $3.25 |
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B0010771 Mesmerizing Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $2.72 |
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E0005879 Beautiful Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $2.99 |
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B0010780 Charming Dragon Veins Agate pendant bead $1.17 |
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8mm Purple Dragon Veins Agate Round Loose Beads 15″ $2.98 |
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6MM Fire Dragon Veins Agate Round Beads Gemstone G155 $2.99 |
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bicolour dragon veins agate oval pendant bead p0505 $0.99 |
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g35432 29×17 Faceted Dragon Veins Agate Column Pendant Bead $0.99 |
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Agate veins near the Pentland Hills Fault: Structure and stratigraphical message (Scottish journal of science) … |
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The Black Cat Jewellery Store-Chain Cufflinks – Dragon Vein Agate – Handmade These cufflinks are handmade from 10 & 12mm, semi-precious dragon vein agate beads and silver plated chain. Length – 42mm… |
