On March 13, National Jewel Day honours precious stones, unique heirlooms, and the artisans who create them! They have our affections. Jewelry possesses the uncanny ability to freeze time. At that instant, only its beauty is visible. A single item of jewellery is handcrafted with a great deal of affection and care. National Jewel Day reminds us to value and wear these delicate works of art.
The background of National Jewel Day
Unknown are the origins and creator of National Jewel Day. We do know that jewellery has always been worn as a form of adornment by humans. In prehistoric periods, people used stone, bone, and shell jewellery as status symbols.
As humans became more adept at working with metals, jewelry-making became increasingly complex and ornamental. Consequently, the value of metals such as gold began to increase over time. In the ancient world, gold was buried with the deceased so that it could serve its proprietors well in the afterlife.
Soon, jewels would represent a person’s prestige and position. It was especially true in the intensely hierarchical society of mediaeval Europe. The privilege to wear silver, gold, and other precious gems was reserved for the wealthy. Those of inferior status typically possessed base metals such as pewter and copper.
Also, jewellery has become more ostentatious over time. During the Renaissance period, cutting techniques improved, resulting in stones that were more reflective and enamels that encased both surfaces of the stone. During this period, people also wore jewellery to signal their political or religious affiliations.
By the 19th century, industrialization had worn the world down significantly. Therefore, as a means of reclaiming their souls and rejecting machine-led systems, jewellers of the time concentrated on handcrafting gorgeous pieces.
Since then, the art of jewellery making has consistently stretched the limits of its practise. It began in the 1950s with movements such as art deco and art nouveau. By the 1960s, conventions would be completely overturned. A radical new generation of designers redefined our understanding of jewellery. Each year, new technologies and non-precious materials emerge. It implies that traditional notions of status affiliated with jewellery can be thrown out the window. Currently, textiles, paper, and even plastic are utilised to create jewellery. Although the symbolism has evolved, some elements have remained the same. Jewelry is a personal expression that brings immense pleasure to everyone.
