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Earliest Known Jewelry
11,000 BC
A decorated engraved pendant, the Star Carr Pendant, dating to around 11,000 BC, was found at the site of Star Carr in North Yorkshire in 2015. It is thought to be the oldest Mesolithic art in Britain and provides evidence of early jewelry making.
Jewelry in the Royal Cemetery of Ur
2900 BC - 2300 BC
The Royal Cemetery of Ur in Mesopotamia, dating from 2900–2300 BC, contained tombs with a multitude of artifacts in gold, silver, and semi-precious stones. These included lapis lazuli crowns embellished with gold figurines, close-fitting collar necklaces, and jewel-headed pins.
Image source: Royal Cemetery at Ur
Gold and Gems in Ancient Greece
1600 BC
The Greeks started using gold and gems in jewelry around 1600 BC. The high quality of gold working techniques in Greece is exemplified by the 'Gold Olive Wreath' from the 4th century BC, modeled on the type of wreath given as a prize for winners in athletic competitions like the Olympic Games.
Jewelry in Ancient Indus Valley
1500 BC
By 1500 BC, the peoples of the Indus Valley were creating gold earrings and necklaces, bead necklaces, and metallic bangles. Before 2100 BC, the largest jewelry trade in the region was the bead trade.
Jeweled Weaponry in Ancient Times
800 BC - 799 BC
By the 8th century BC, jeweled weaponry was common for men, while other jewelry seemed to become the domain of women, with the exception of signet rings.
Napoleon's Influence on Jewelry
1804
When Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned as Emperor of the French in 1804, he revived the style and grandeur of jewelry and fashion in France, influencing the design and trends of jewelry in the medieval and Renaissance periods.
Image source: Napoleon
Jewelry Innovations in the 20th Century
1875 - 1899
The late 19th and 20th centuries saw significant jewelry innovations, including the introduction of bling-bling style jewelry, the blending of European design with oriental techniques such as Mokume-gane, and the rise of 3D printing as a production technique.
Image source: Native American jewelry
Cheapside Hoard Discovery
1912
The Cheapside Hoard, the stock of a jeweler hidden in London during the Commonwealth period, was not found again until 1912. It contained a vast collection of jewelry, gemstones, and other precious items, providing insight into medieval and Renaissance jewelry.
Image source: Cheapside Hoard
Global Jewelry Market in the 21st Century
2007
According to a 2007 KPMG study, the largest jewelry market is the United States with a market share of 31%, followed by Japan, India, China, and the Middle East. The study also predicted a shift in market shares by 2015, with the market share of the United States expected to drop to around 25%, while China and India would increase theirs to over 13%.
Image source: Jewellery
Key Facts
- The earliest known jewelry dates back to around 3000 BCE in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
- Gold and gemstones have been prized as materials for jewelry throughout history, symbolizing wealth and status.
- The Renaissance period saw a resurgence of interest in jewelry design, with intricate pieces reflecting art and architecture of the time.
- The invention of new technologies, such as the steam engine and electricity, revolutionized jewelry production in the Industrial Revolution.
- Modern jewelry trends include sustainable and ethical practices, as well as innovative use of materials like recycled metals and lab-grown gemstones.
Source
This Jewelry timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.
We work hard to keep these timelines accurate, but mistakes do get through. If you spot one, email us at [email protected] and we'll fix it for future visitors.
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