Ancient Egyptian Jewelry

Jewelry has been crafted for thousands of years. Although materials, stones and styles have changed, many historians describe the deep detail to early jewelry designs, and how they shaped into today’s modern styles. One of the dominant civilizations in our ancient history that left a huge footprint in jewelry were in Egypt. Their technological advances and access to precious metals and gemstones were revolutionary in jewelry-making for that time period.

Egyptian jewelry is believed by many as the genesis period for the present state of jewelry. In this period, jewelry manufacturing evolved into an occupation where artistic manner and abilities resulted creating an endless array of styles and ornamentations. Amulets and talismans were the main inspirations that drove to the continuing growth of jewelry.

Over time, craftsmen have developed new artistic techniques with an ever-growing array of readily available materials in the ongoing evolution of jewelry.

The greatest characteristic of Egyptian jewelry was metal and gemstone color variations. Due to gold’s prominent accessibility and its malleable nature given to ease of design, it was the primary metal used. Gold was considered a huge symbol of wealth in pre-dynastic Egypt. Copper was a substitute for those who couldn’t afford the gold luxury.

Since color was considered very important gemstones, diamonds were used infrequently due to the fact they did not exhibit the color and imagery of other gemstones. In the Egyptian culture, they believed that gemstones possessed certain mystical powers which would be acquired by the owner when worn. The Egyptian scarab was considered an extremely important facet in the Egyptian jewelry history and possessed certain powers as well.