Victorian Jewelry

Many people find it hard to believe that the inception of jewelry occurred 100,000 years ago as evidenced by mollusk jewelry found in South Africa. Mollusks are small snails and clams, and their shells were used to fashion this jewelry, although it was no doubt for more functional purposes (such as holding a garment together) than it was for adorning people. In the earliest days, natural material was used, such as animal teeth, shells, bone, wood and stone.

The first period during which jewelry was used extensively to adorn people was the Georgian era beginning in the 1760’s. Larger size jewelry from the past was replaced by delicate smaller forms. It is very difficult to locate jewelry from this period, but jewelry from the Victorian period beginning in the mid 1800’s under the reign of Queen Victoria is a different story. The Victorian era ended in 1901 upon the death of the Queen.

The young Queen, who was crowned at eighteen, not only loved jewelry, but also designed it. In favor were cameos carved of conch shells by Italians. Women were known to travel to Italy to purchase necklaces, earrings, and brooches of cameo designs, and lava jewelry made from colored lava of Mt. Vesuvius. Soon the industrial revolution saw the manufacture of jewelry, and resulted in the end of the hand carving.

The Queen also got credit for the charm bracelet, and had a number of charms designed. She often gave jewelry as gifts to family and friends. Jewelry had been a status symbol of the wealthy, or to accompany fashionable outfits, but the emergence of the middle class created a demand for a larger quantities being produced. Queen Victoria continued to set the trend for other women, and her romantic nature as well as nature itself were reflected in jewelry designed with birds, hearts, butterflies, dragonflies, gemstone embellished flowers, ribbons, and bows. Jewelry containing the hair of both the living and dead was especially popular. Some of these pieces were very intricate in their design. Lockets were also used to hold the hair or pictures of the deceased.

Victoria also preferred serpent designs, a symbol of eternal love, and her engagement ring from Prince Albert in 1840 was a serpent designed with an emerald in its head. Terms of endearment such as "dearest" or "regard" often appeared on engagement rings. A brooch of sapphires and diamonds, a gift from her husband-to-be, adorned her wedding dress. The Queen also favored opals, but other affordable semi-precious stones appealed to the mass market such as amethyst, coral, pearls, turquoise and garnet. Ivory, seed pearls, bog oak, smoky quartz, jasper, agate, enamel, ,petrified wood, marble, as well as gold and silver found in Scottish jewelry were also popular with the public, as tartan plaids became fashionable after the Queen’s children started wearing them.

New finds of gold resulted in creating different methods of gold processing, and gold jewelry became more affordable. Diamonds, because of South Africa diamond mines opening, were also becoming within the reach of the middle class. In 1861, Victoria’s husband Prince Albert died, and so-called mourning jewelry made of black stones such as onyx, jet and black enamel were in vogue. They were commonly worn by relatives of the deceased. Jet was carved into necklaces, earrings, and pins. The suffragette movement was beginning and the black jewelry continued to be fashionable. Sets of jewelry were introduced during this period.

Today Victorian jewelry can be found in antique shops and at estate sales. Some reproductions of the jewelry are also sold as Victorian jewelry still has an allure for the public.

Author: Bobbi Adams

Barbara A Adams owns and operates http://www.gemstonejamboree.com

Gemstones

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobbi_Adams

 Get more information about body jewelry here. That and more including information about cremation jewelry can be found there…

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Symbolic Anniversary Gifts

Throughout times, certain anniversary gifts have been given according to the number of years that a couple has been with each other. Though this idea has been around since the Middle Ages, it was largely pushed by jewelry companies. Nevertheless, such themed gifts can be fun.

In a relationship among people who are too young to be married, it is sometimes common to see the exchange of a promise ring-a statement that the two lovebirds will stay loyal to each other and "go steady."

When engaged, a couple wears engagement rings. However, the in the initial purchase of an engagement ring can be risky, for success is difficult to predict. Many people choose to buy wholesale diamonds, or reduce risk using money back guarantee diamonds. There are many jewelers who sell these, as well as wedding bands for the couple to wear after the marriage.

For the first anniversary, it is traditional to give paper. Modern times also suggest clocks. The paper can be given in many forms, such as a piece of art, a fine notebook, a photo album, a finely framed photo, origami, stationary, tickets, and books. The clock can be anything from a pretty watch to a decorative wall clock. The symbolic flower for the first year of marriage is a carnation.

The traditional gift for the fifth year of marriage is wood. The modern gift is silverware. Wood can also come in many forms, such as finger rings, jewelry, furniture, dolls, frames, and art. Silverware is a little more difficult to be creative with, though some very nice sets can be found in many stores. Daisies are the traditional flowers for this anniversary.

Diamond jewelry isn’t given until the tenth anniversary. Those who want high quality diamonds are known to look for GIA diamond rings. However, if diamond is too expensive, the traditional gift is tin or aluminum, which can be given in the form of watches, tins, cups, jewelry boxes, decorations, and trinkets. The traditional tenth-anniversary flower is the daffodil.

For the twentieth anniversary, the traditional gift is china, and the modern gift is platinum. China can be traditional plates and bowls, but figurines are also popular and traditional. Platinum is a notoriously valuable material and is often adorned with gemstones. Certified diamonds are popular amongst particular spouses, especially EGL loose diamonds as well as high quality GIA certified diamonds. Aster is the twentieth anniversary flower.

Silver and sterling silver are the traditional gifts for the twenty-fifth anniversary. It is most popular to give silver jewelry, though silver is used to make a number of other things, including silverware, bowls, vases, art, and figurines. The traditional flower is the iris.

Pearls and diamonds are the symbolic gifts for couples celebrating their thirtieth anniversary. This can be accomplished quite easily with jewelry. The jewelry can incorporate pearls or diamonds or even both, though that might seem a little gaudy. Pearls are ideal if your spouse disapproves of the diamond industry. Purchasing a non conflict diamond is generally a good idea, as non conflict diamonds prevent funding for dictators and rebels in warring countries. The traditional thirtieth anniversary flower is the lily.

The years following also mainly consist of precious and semiprecious gemstones. Jade and coral is for the thirty-fifth anniversary. Rubies are the traditional and modern symbolic fortieth anniversary gifts. Sapphires are for the forty fifth, gold is for the fiftieth, emerald is the fifty fifth, diamond is the sixtieth, platinum is the seventieth, and oak is for the eightieth. If a couple is alive and wealthy on their hundredth wedding anniversary, then they can give the gift of a 10k diamond.

Author: Allison Ryan

Allison Ryan is a freelance marketing writer from San Diego, CA. She specializes in GIA diamond rings, EGL loose diamonds, and where to find the best non conflict diamond engagement rings. For money back guarantee diamonds, stop by http://www.diamondwave.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Allison_Ryan

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