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