| The history of a mineral, crystal or metal | | | | culture along the Mediterranean trade routes |
| can unlock a deeper, more meaningful value to | | | | and as a result, its jewelry making |
| jewelry. Indeed, the anthropology, | | | | flourished. The Minoans are known for their |
| archaeology, geography, and technology of | | | | stamped gold sheeting and filigree and |
| special gems and elements can provide rich | | | | granulated gold jewelry, burial masks, and |
| stories. | | | | beads. Some of these techniques show up in |
| | | | Etruscan art. In Rome, the use of gold grew |
| Copper | | | | beyond jewelry and expanded into household |
| | | | items and furniture in the homes of the |
| Take for example copper, and its oxides, | | | | higher classes. |
| which are the most ancient minerals used. | | | | |
| They began showing up in the ancient jewelry | | | | The news of the discovery of gold during the |
| of Sumeria, Pre-Columbian America, and Egypt | | | | 19th century in the American West could |
| around 4,000 B.C., and also played a vital | | | | result in thousands of settlers who would |
| role in the wars fought in those volatile | | | | risk life and limb for a chance of finding |
| regions. | | | | gold. The most famous gold rush occurred in |
| | | | California at Sutter's Mill in 1848. |
| In addition to copper, Egyptians were also | | | | |
| among the first to develop bronze, a mixture | | | | Silver |
| of tin and copper. As early as 3,900 B.C., | | | | |
| Egyptians were developing copper products | | | | Silver has been found in modern-day burial |
| which eventually were used in common | | | | excavations of the ancient Sumerian city of |
| household items such as cooking pots. By | | | | Ur. What is now modern-day Turkey was once a |
| 2,500 B.C., Egyptian jewelry makers had | | | | major source of mined silver. The Chaldeans |
| developed copper to a level that it was being | | | | were the first culture to extract silver form |
| used to create crows and headdresses. | | | | other ores around 2,500 B.C. |
| | | | |
| Copper use in Pre-Columbian America may | | | | Historically, the cultures of South and North |
| predate its use in the Middle East. In some | | | | America, Greece, China, Rome and Mexico |
| cultures, metal working was so advanced it | | | | developed superior silversmithing techniques |
| rivaled those of the European invaders. | | | | and made wide use of silver, not only in |
| Pre-Columbian Americans used copper for | | | | jewelry but also in household items. |
| bells, ornaments, weapons, jewelry, and | | | | |
| armor. | | | | In the New World, Spanish conquests revealed |
| | | | that the skills of silversmiths were |
| Gold | | | | comparable to Spain in level of technique and |
| | | | artistry. Exploitation of this silver by |
| The history of gold is long and complex, | | | | Europeans in Bolivia, Peru and Mexico |
| toppling some cultures and giving rise to | | | | eventually produced nearly 85 percent of the |
| others. It has been and continues to be a | | | | world's silver between 1500 and 1800. |
| symbol of wealth and power. Not surprisingly, | | | | |
| the use of gold in African cultures has been | | | | In the 19th century, silver jewelry became |
| extensive. Most often, tribes used gold to | | | | more affordable thanks to advances in |
| create objects for the court of the local | | | | technology. Tiffany and Company began |
| chiefs. Workshops exclusively dedicated to | | | | producing silverware in New York, while |
| the production of these treasures were | | | | Nevada enjoyed the boom days of the Comstock |
| extensive and elaborate. | | | | Lode in Virginia City, during which the mine |
| | | | produced millions of dollars worth of silver. |
| In the Middle East, the discovery of Egyptian | | | | |
| jewelry found in the tomb of Queen Zer and | | | | Silver was the metal of choice in the 20th |
| Queen Pu-abi of Ur in Sumeria are not only | | | | century for craftsmen of the Arts and Crafts |
| the oldest pieces of gold jewelry in | | | | movement, who rebelled against the mass |
| existence, but also the oldest examples found | | | | produced jewelry that dominated the time. |
| in any kind of jewelry. | | | | They combined silver with uncut stones and |
| | | | cabochons. Jewelers from this time were |
| Sadly, over the centuries thieves raided most | | | | mostly untrained novices and so the quality |
| of the Egyptian tombs. Thankfully, however, | | | | of most of the pieces from this movement is |
| the tomb of Tutankhamen remained undisturbed | | | | low. The best jewelry from the Arts and |
| until its discovery in the 20th century. It | | | | Crafts movement was produced by C.R. Ashbee, |
| was the largest collection of gold and | | | | Henry Wilson, Harold Stabler, and Liberty |
| jewelry in the world and represents the | | | | & Co., to name a few. One of the best |
| highest mark of skill in art achieved in | | | | known Art Nouveau jewelry designers was Louis |
| human history. | | | | Comfort Tiffany. In 1964, the U.S. government |
| | | | stopped issuing silver certificates, which up |
| The Minoan culture grew rich as a trading | | | | until then had supported the paper currency. |