By Brittany Cotton
Adorning the body has a long history. While jewelry was once only an option for the elite, more recent history offered even the working classes access to ornate items. People of nearly any income level can now purchase, wear, and give jewelry that can last for generations. If you want to invest in pieces that will suit you, your loved ones, and future generations, consider the tips below.
The evolution of jewelry and the many changes in design over the years
Stones
One of the factors that has allowed jewelry to evolve is the change in tooling. Diamonds were once a hugely expensive stone, in part because mining was tough and in part. After all, cutting and shaping the stones had to be done with the naked eye.
Access to man-made diamonds and other gems has lowered the cost. The diamond industry, once treated with suspicion due to dangerous political connections and environmental devastation, is again growing in popularity as it offers new, sustainable trends.
Diamonds and other precious gems were once a standard in the contract of marriage. New purchase options, such as the right-hand rings that many single women buy for themselves, have increased the option to customize jewelry with text.
Metals
Gold melts at a consistent 1,063 °Celsius (1,945 °Fahrenheit. It’s also soft and can easily be flattened, bent, and reshaped. It’s been possible for goldsmiths to count on the malleability of gold for centuries; the ancient Egyptians were especially adept at melting and shaping gold.
Silver jewelry became especially popular in the Middle East starting around 4,500 BCE. Because silver is both more easily available and easier to shape, this metal was also used in utensils and tools over time.
How can jewelers keep up with all the changes?
As design and lifestyles evolve, jewelry can also change. It was once believed that all engagement rings had to include a solitaire diamond, generally a round or Princess cut. New trends in such commemorative rings show off precious stones in a variety of colors. A blue to match the eyes of the recipient or a delicate pink tourmaline can be just as treasured.
It’s also important to look at clothing and home design trends. The move toward minimalism has led many jewelry shoppers to keep things as simple as possible. A beautiful chain with a single pearl may be an ideal choice. Other shoppers may just want a white gold couture set with earrings to match the pendant.
A formerly popular diamond setting featuring a large center stone and a halo of tiny diamonds may appear old-fashioned or even gaudy. Modern buyers may prefer a single emerald cut stone. Jewelers, arranging online display pages or physical cases in their shop, may do well to focus on simple, single-stone pieces.
Benefits of giving jewelry as a gift
Giving a piece of jewelry in commemoration of a specific event is a lovely way to celebrate. In addition to the tradition of giving an engagement ring or sharing matching wedding bands, those wanting to give a special gift can give a particular piece of jewelry with a message etched into it.
Modern shoppers are well aware of the global impact of their purchases. Both jewelry sellers and gift-givers alike would do well to include information about material sources.
If you want to give a young person a commemorative piece, such as a necklace, upon graduation or acceptance into college, do your best to share information on the source of the metal and the gemstone. For those who prefer to pass down heirlooms on these special occasions, it may make sense to get something reset.
Working with a skilled designer, you can take the gems from an older piece and come up with something unique. For example, a diamond brooch may be treasured, but it’s unlikely to be worn. Can it be made into a pendant? If the designer adds little to the value, can it be broken down and made into a necklace and earring set?
Jewelry trends are currently growing leaner. Small stones in elegant settings are more popular than larger, flashier pieces. Shoppers are also more interested in designing their pieces. Someone hoping to give a piece of heirloom jewelry may do well to give the piece, as is, and include an allowance for a new design to the taste of the recipient.