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Use Of Jewelry Has Long History
By Charles Wilkinson

If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then jewelry has to be a close second in popularity and if you hope to stay on the good side of your spouse or girlfriend, you do not want to skimp on the jewelry you give her. This however was not always the case many pieces were worn for either decoration or for a functional purpose.

Necklaces, rings and bracelets are the typical types of jewelry, although clasps and pins are also in the category for functional pieces. Typically, they are made with

gemstones and precious metals and those made with materials of lesser value, considered costume jewelry are manufactured in mass quantity and have little value.

The history of jewelry is a long one and evidence points to it being used initially as a symbol of status and rank within a community. In early years and in many areas only the rich were allowed to wear rings and women wore jewelry to show they status and wealth. Most piece at that time were made of 24 carat gold, about 99 percent pure, which is too soft for consideration as fine jewelry in today's standards. Gold jewelry is uusually mafe of 10 to 18 carats today to be able to withstand everyday use.

Jewelry Design Is Personal Preference

The materials used in the design of jewelry are as diverse as the taste of the person on which it is worn. Gold and silver tend to be the most popular of the precious metals in use, but platinum and even bronze have been used in its design. While diamonds are the most sought after gem used in jewelry, other more colorful stones are also utilized. Manufactured stones, such as cubic zirconia are also being used in place of diamonds, as they are more affordable and present less of a loss if lost or stolen.

There are people who are very adept at coming up with designs that quickly become popular. The more popular their jewelry designs become, the more expensive the products will become as buyers will not only pay for the materials in the piece but also for the designer's name associated with the item.

A few people prefer to design their own jewelry and, with the right ability, can make their own, however it is not unusual to find people designing their own rings, bracelets or necklaces and then having a professional artisan produce it for them.

Author Details:
Charles Wilkinson writes about Jewelry, watches etc. for a small selection of web sites such as The A to Z of.com.

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