Even as small children we make chains of daisies to adorn our necks or place as crowns upon our heads. There is something intuitive about wearing jewelry. Humans have been wearing gemstones and jewelry since before recorded history. Have you ever wondered why we wear jewelry? Today we will discuss cultural and emotional reasons why we love to wear jewelry.
The First Ones to Wear Jewelry
Since the Stone Age, humans have been making and wearing jewelry to adorn themselves. The first jewelry was created with eagle talons and was a history-changing find in Croatia just a few years ago. Were they chosen to show off their hunting or gathering skills? Was it meant for the leader of the group to signify status? Or did the decision to fashion them together in a necklace come from a pure inner desire to adorn themselves? One can only guess!
Jewelry Completes an Outfit
The simplest answer to why we wear jewelry is that it completes an outfit. After choosing your clothes for the day, you choose to add earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, a ring, or a combination of all! Many remark that they feel “incomplete” without their jewelry. A stunning pair of earrings can turn a basic outfit into a fashionable one and the right necklace can turn an “ok” dress into a stunning ensemble. If our outfit is the cake, then the right jewelry is the icing on the cake!
Jewelry Highlights Natural Beauty
Wearing gemstones that complement the color of your eyes or a necklace that emphasizes your strong collar bones shows us that wearing jewelry highlights our natural beauty. Wearing the right earrings for your face shape can help you to feel more confident and beautiful. Wearing the right necklace for the neckline of your top can do the same. Jewelry provides lines, colors, and textures that enhance the beauty of the human form. Humans have taken notice of this for thousands of years and incorporated it into their cultures!
Wearing Jewelry Increases Confidence
Since wearing jewelry highlights your natural beauty it only makes sense that it can also increase your confidence. When you feel put together and beautiful, it makes every task a little easier. Whether it is tackling the day’s to-do list or attending a formal event, wearing fine jewelry that you love and feel good in, can send your confidence through the roof!
Jewelry as a Social Status
Throughout history one of the main reasons why people have worn jewelry is to indicate their social status. Even today kings and queens have beautiful royal jewelry collections to wear to prestigious affairs. From crowns of royal families to high school graduation rings, jewelry has been an indication of social status. In today’s American culture, fine jewelry is not as much of a high social status indicator as it once was. People in all classes can and choose to wear jewelry- whether it be fun costume jewelry to fine jewelry with gorgeous gemstones.
Jewelry can identify you with a group and bring a sense of belonging. Belonging is innate in all humans. It helps us know our identity and feel connected to others.
Sentimental Jewelry
One of the most emotional reasons why we wear jewelry is because of its sentimental value. Fine jewelry is often a gift to celebrate monumental occasions in life. Engagements, marriages, births, birthdays, and graduations are just a few of the occasions where jewelry is a traditional gift. Happy memories and life achievements are celebrated and remembered every time we gaze upon the jewelry we wear.
Vintage and antique jewelry is often passed down from generation to generation and reminds us of loved ones long gone. There is something very special about wearing jewelry that once belonged to those we love.
No matter the reason why we wear jewelry, it is always with a smile. A beautiful birthstone gemstone, an engagement ring or wedding band, a pair of vintage earrings, or a necklace that belonged to our grandmother, wearing jewelry brings us joy. Gifting jewelry to others brings them joy also. This is one of the many reasons the jewelers and professionals at Isbell Jewelers love what we do! If we can help you find the perfect gift for a loved one or some new jewelry for yourself, please stop by and browse our shop. We are ready and waiting to help you find the jewelry that speaks to you!