When you think of jewelry, what kind of images come to mind?
A sleek willowy model wearing a simple David Yurman or Tiffany & Co sterling silver bracelet? How about the eccentric Mr.T with 40lbs of 14k gold chains covering his entire chest?
Who or what exactly started this historic obsession of adding metals, stones, shells, grasses and glasses, feathers and any other object to enhance the flesh of humans.
The history of jewelry is as old as civilization itself. People have been adorning themselves with jewelry for centuries.
There are many different reasons why people wear jewelry.
Some people wear jewelry to make a statement, while others wear it for religious or cultural reasons.
Let’s take a look at where this obsession comes from, how jewelry is made, and where the most popular brands are manufactured.
Table of Contents
History of Jewelry
We can surmise by looking at ancient cave drawings and reading ancient scrolls that jewelry has been around since the existence of mankind.
It comes quite naturally for a young child to start collecting sparkly rocks or picking flowers to make a chain of daisies or dandelions and then put them somewhere on her body or to present it to his or her mother as a gift.
This is the cheapest form of adornment and a complement to Nature.
We all seem to want stuff that is lasting, stuff that is collectable, stuff that we can sell, trade, or bribe with.
Enter China, India, the USA, Germany, Italy, Thailand and France for starters.
Here you have the biggest jewelry markets, all of whom began producing a range of raw materials of precious metals and gemstones to cheaper materials for costume jewelry for sale throughout the entire world for as long as these countries have existed and for as long as history has been recorded.
Jewelry has always been a desirable part of our humanity long before famous brands emerged.
You may notice in the book of Genesis in the Bible, that bracelets and other fine jewelry made of gold were given as an endowment to a future bride.
Precious gold and jewels were gifted to win the favor of Kings and diplomats, and jewelry was one of the typical forms in which a family held their wealth.
Where Did The Idea of Jewelry Come From?
The idea of jewelry is innate. The human eye naturally looks for a source of beauty in order to balance out a contrast with the mundane.
We are creators keeping in step with The Creator.
In Heaven, there are twelve gates made of fine jewels, and streets made of the purest gold.
We find rare or unusual items within the earth or sea. And then by nature, begin to think of ways to wear the stuff!
One particular example of why human nature might relate to this phenomena comes again from the Bible, where non other than Satan himself was described in his splendor, adorned with jewels and the most beautiful of all creation:
“You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, emerald, and carbuncle; and crafted in gold were your settings and your engravings. On the day that you were created they were prepared. You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till unrighteousness was found in you…”
Ezekiel 28:13-15
This appears to be the opposite of the mainstream view of a horned, red-skinned creature with a pointy tail, and a good explanation of why jewelry is often seen as a symbol of luxury, power and status.
If we’re being honest, jewelry speaks to our vanity and pride.
It’s one of the ways we can adorn ourselves and show the world how special we are.
We love to turn heads it seems.
We love to sport wealth and prosperity wherever we go. We want to have symbols of love and affection on our bodies, tangible reminders that we are valued or are worth more than others.
What Materials Are Used To Create Jewelry?
Gold is one of the most common types of precious metals that fine jewelry uses as its main ingredient, and for good reason: it’s soft yet durable (when alloyed with other) and easily shaped into anything you can dream up.
It comes in many colors, but is most often seen in its natural yellow form.
Silver is a very popular choice for jewelry as well because it’s also soft and durable, yet not as expensive as gold.
It tarnishes over time, however, so needs to be regularly cleaned and polished to keep its shine.
Let’s look at some of the types of materials that jewelry is made from:
Costume Jewelry
This is the cheapest form of jewelry and is made from hundreds of sources.
Everything imaginable is used: from seashells to leather to glass, to wood, and even some lower grade semi precious stones.
Metals range from silver, brass, copper and steel; to bronze, zinc, nickel, tungsten and aluminum. Gold plating or rhodium plating is often used to give the look of fine jewelry.
Fine Jewelry
Fine jewelry is made from gemstones and metals that are usually mined from the earth.
Gemstone examples are diamonds, ruby, sapphire, alexandrite, emeralds and pearls from the sea.
Also used in fine jewelry are semi-precious gemstones such as garnet, peridot, topaz and a variety of tourmalines as well as opal and turquoise.
Keep in mind though, that fine jewelry comes in a wide range of value depending on the quality of the gemstones and metals used.
Metals are commonly made from gold and platinum.
Gold can range from 8K which is full of alloys that are used to make it stronger and more affordable, to 22K or even 24K which are expensive, but are a softer material more subject to damage.
Platinum is a very heavy and hard metal that is expensive and difficult to work with.
This metal is mined the same as gold is.
Designer Jewelry
Designer jewelry is generally made from the same materials found in Fine jewelry, except for when it isn’t.
There are several companies that use the ashes from a departed loved one to be made into a diamond.
Sterling silver and even leather is sometimes used in combination with gold to create a look of expense without the higher cost to the manufacturer.
The value of Designer jewelry is dependent on the unusual and unique design of each piece, although materials used can also dictate final costs.
Obviously, the higher the quality of gemstones and metals used, the more the cost.
This type of jewelry is heavily dependent on the marketing of a name as well as the use of a brand, forexample, Robert Coin, Cartier, or Bulgari.
How Jewelry Is Made
Jewelry is made in several different ways, but most modern jewelry is manufactured in high volume as opposed to being handmade, as were pieces in the days of old.
Custom pieces of jewelry range from outrageously expensive to lower cost, depending on materials used and craftsmanship.
There are many steps to produce a piece of jewelry, whether customized or mass produced, such as:
- initial drawing
- computer generated image or “cad” drawing
- wax model
- then to creating a mold
- pouring metal in the mold
- which is then centrifuged to disperse it evenly in the mold
After this, the new piece of jewelry must be cleaned and polished, and if desired, gemstones are then set.
This lengthy process is part of why a one of a kind custom piece of jewelry can be quite expensive. A lot of man hours are invested to make certain that a potential customer is satisfied with the final product.
Mass produced jewelry is in essence, assembly line jewelry.
Millions of pieces of the same design are made by many assembly workers who are tasked with quantity rather than quality.
These pieces are usually found in malls, booths at fairs, sold on jewelry channels, or even in magazines.
Typically, these lower cost pieces are what most people can easily afford without compromising their budget.
Don’t be fooled however, because some of the most famous brands of jewelry that might be expensive can also be mass produced, such as:
- Pandora
- Cartier
- Effy
- Brighton
- Van Cleef and Arpels
Where Most Jewelry Is Manufactured
China is the biggest producer of jewelry in the world, with India and Thailand coming in second and third.
There are many reasons for this, including low labor costs, a large workforce, an abundance of precious metals and gemstones as well as a wide range of skilled workers who can make jewelry by hand or machinery.
Other countries that produce a significant amount of jewelry are Italy, USA, Germany, India and France; although, the gemstones and diamonds are sourced mostly from Thailand.
Who Is The Largest Jewelry Manufacturer In The World?
The largest manufacturer of jewelry is Pandora.
They have announced, though, that they are moving away from utilizing mined diamonds to using lab created ones.
This may or may not affect their pricing, depending on what they desire as profit margins and it remains to be seen if it will also affect demand.
What Jewelry Brands Are Made In The USA?
There are many jewelry brands that are handmade in the USA, but popular brands that come to mind are Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, David Webb, and Kara Ross.
If you want jewelry that is made or manufactured exclusively in the USA, always look it up to be certain.
Where Popular Jewelry Brands Are Made
Your favorite designers and brands might be made in completely different parts of the world.
Some designers have their jewelry made in Italy, some in America, and others elsewhere. It’s important to do your research if you want to buy a piece that is ‘made in ____’ because it could mean anywhere from the USA to a Chinese prison camp.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular jewelry brands and where they are made:
Cartier = Switzerland.
This fine jewelry brand is well known for luxury watches, charms and other fine collections.
Located in La Chaux-de-Fonds since 1847.
Alfred Cartier was the first jeweler to successfully use platinum in jewelry making, and Louis Cartier was the first designer to popularize the wristwatch for men.
Pandora = Thailand.
Pandora is one of the most widely known jewelry brands in the world, with some designs being sold at fine retailers like Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Founded in 1982 in Copenhagen Denmark, Pandora employs more than 27,000 people from around the world, but predominantly make their pieces in Thailand where they source their raw materials and find many of their highly skilled craftsmen.
Kendra Scott = China.
Kendra Scott is an American with her headquarters and designs located in Austin Texas, but her pieces are sourced and actually made in China.
Kendra Scott jewelry is fine and precious, but not fine enough to be made in the USA.
Tiffany & Co. = USA.
Most of their manufacturing is done in Cumberland, Rhode Island, but it is also specially made in Spain, Italy, France and Japan too.
Tiffany & Co. fine jewelry also ethically sources their gemstones, so it can be considered one of best American fine jewelry brands for those who are looking to buy something truly authentic and ‘made in America’.
Lola Rose = London.
Founded by Nikki Gewirtz, she named her business after her grandmother Lola, a glamorous and stylish woman.
Her business took off after the Duchess of Cambridge was pictured at a charity event wearing one of her pieces.
Talisa = USA.
Predominantly sterling silver jewelry that is marketed online and is based in New York.
All of their pieces are designed and handmade in the USA, with a team of artisans who help to make each unique piece.
Final Thoughts
Jewelry has a history as long as mankind itself.
There is something that attracts people to want to adorn themselves.
Even old pocket watches that once dangled on the end of a chain and that were stuffed into vest or pants pockets still had fancy engraving designs, were made of precious metals and were monogrammed, even though not generally seen.
It is not only royalty who are attracted to jewelry, many birds and fish seem to go after shiny objects too.
Dangle a crystal in front of a crying baby and watch that baby squeal with delight and reach out to taste it.
Some people have even been convinced that there are magical healing properties of crystals and other gemstones.
Put a small square velvet box into your girlfriend’s hand during a fancy dinner and watch her face become either bewildered, pissed, terrorized or thrilled when she opens it to find a piece of jewelry in it.
Look at the bottom of rivers and lakes and you will find jewelry that was lost in agony, or thrown away as the token finale of a broken relationship
Whatever happened, jewelry has meaning.