Precious Things - Then & Now
Many years ago, I tried to learn the art of making jewelry from the father of a high school friend. I even designed an owl made of yellow gold and a large emerald. Out of the blue, I found myself wondering who bought that. I know it was sent to Switzerland, but that is about it. Perhaps that is why Switzerland comes to mind when I think about high-end jewelry, but the world has many fabulous places and people that take this wearable art very seriously.
I have a dear friend, Carol Roder, who got into the jewelry business a few years ago (Seagypsycollection). She is very boho-chic, so her pieces reflect that. Jewelry, as well as clothing, is a form of expression; it must present and represent us. Any type of jewelry goes way beyond investment or trend; it can express social status, affection, and even religion.
Jewelry has been part of our civilization since prehistoric times. Archaeologists have found quite sophisticated pieces all over the world. People have been adorning themselves with shells, stones, bones, teeth, and all sorts of materials way before metalwork was developed. I believe that the reason for this is that we search for beauty, individuality, and self-expression, so as a result, we embellish to be attractive, unique, and express who we are.
Jewelry, as we know it today, has a lot of Egyptian influence. They mastered the art thousands of years ago, and despite our technological advances, we are still amazed and inspired by ancient jewelry.
Nowadays, one of the dream destinations for many jewelry aficionados is India. There, jewelry is a lifestyle and religion. China is another place to consider. Their incredible history and excellent craftsmanship have brought them worldwide fame in the jewelry field.
From the 130.000-year-old white-tailed eagle talons found in Croatia to my friend's Bali-inspired jewelry, there is a long way to go. We may never know for sure why even our prehistoric ancestors wore jewelry. But we know that it makes us beautiful, and it has been part of us for a very, very long time.
All Jewelry Photos are cortesy of SeaGypsyCollection
