Celtic Engagement Rings

Celtic Charm Pandora

Celtic Charm Pandora

The History of Gold Jewelry, Part 1

Humankind has long been fascinated by the beauty of gold and since the earliest days of civilization gold has been used to adorn us in the form of jewelry. Let's take a look at how gold jewelry has been used in the various parts of the world during the last five thousand years.

The Sumerian Civilization, located in present-day Iraq, is well known as the place where one of the first systems of writing was developed. There gold was used to make necklaces earrings, rings, bracelets and other ornaments as early as 2500 BC.

Sumerian goldsmiths used sophisticated metalworking techniques such as cold hammering, casting, soldering, and were particularly skilled in decorating with filigree (fine-wire ornamentation). They also practiced "granulation" using minute drops of gold to enhance the beauty of the jewelry.

Jewelry played an important role in Egyptian civilization where its use dates back to 3000 BC. A tomb painting of late 15th century BC shows a metalworker using tongs and a blowpipe to anneal gold. The famous tomb of Tutankhamun or King Tut contains numerous pieces of fine gold jewelry embedded with precious stones. These pieces of jewelry are on display in the national museum in Cairo and thousands of visitors each day marvel at the skill of these early goldsmiths and jewelers.

On Mediterranean island of Crete, now part of Greece, gold jewelry also played an important role as early as 2400 BC. The jewelers of Crete may have gotten their knowledge from West Asia and they were experts in fashioning gold jewelry.

Diadems, hair ornaments, beads, bracelets, and complex chains have been found in Minoan tombs on Crete. It is also believed that Asian techniques of filigree and granulation were introduced to Crete around 2000 BC.

Around 1550 BC Minoan culture and its jewelry styles spread to Greece, then dominated by the city-state of Mycenea, located 90 miles southwest of present-day Athens.

Metalworking techniques spread outward from Greece and reached northern Europe as early as 1800 BC. There is also evidence that the Celtic and early British people traded with the eastern Mediterranean civilizations by this time and exchanged their products for gold beads.

By 1200 BC jewelry making was flourishing in Central and Western Europe.

Bronze and gold was used to make jewelry and the spiral was the most common type of decoration. Twisted gold torcs were made in the British Isles and northern France from the 5th to the 1st century BC. Torcs, also spelled Torq, were rigid circular neck rings or necklaces that were open-ended at the front. Massive circlets for the necks and arms were the characteristic ornament of the chiefs of the Celtic race. The Celts also used enamel and inlay to decorate jewelry.

In the next article of this series, I will trace the use of gold jewelry in the Etruscan, Roman and Hellenistic periods as well as giving a look at the role of gold jewelry in the Renaissance.

About the Author

Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry the full line of
Pandora Jewelry
. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more information, Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit the website.

Pandora Compatible Charms - Sterling Silver Reflections Celtic Trinity Dangle Bead $21.52 Pandora Compatible Charms - Sterling Silver Reflections Celtic Trinity Dangle Bead is available from jewelbasket.com for only $14.67. Buy now and save. Jewelbasket offers the best value on Gold Charms for Charm Bracelets, jewelry and gifts.

Celtic Knot Charm $59.99 Celtic Knot Charm

Celtic Charm Ring Pillow $39.99 The Celtic Charm Ring Pillow, made of Irish-inspired white linen, will carry your rings with pride. The Celtic Trinity Knot in silver holds a green ribbon for the rings or ring pouches to be tied to. Features and facts:White linen ring pillow with lace trim, green ribbons and Irish inspired Trinity Knot charmMeasure 8"" squareCoordinates with the Celtic Charm Collection: unity candles, bridal garter, flower girl basket, guest book and pen set, cake serving set, Claddaugh cake topper and toasting glasses

SilveRado(tm) MIB088 Sterling Silver Celtic Celtic Cube Bead / Charm $29 SilveRado(tm) MIB088 Sterling Silver Celtic Celtic Cube Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver

Celtic Charm Unity Candle $59.99 The Celtic Charm pillar candle features a traditional Irish Wedding Blessing, ""may your hands be forever blessed in friendship and your hearts joined forever in love"", framed with green, white and olive ribbon. The Celtic Trinity Knot is also displayed below the saying. The lighting candles complement the unity candle with white lace and green and olive ribbon topped with a single crystal. Features and facts:White pillar candle with traditional Irish wedding blessing accented with green ribbons, lace and a Trinity Knot charm are beautifully complemented by the white tapers with a medley of green ribbons and white laceTapers are sold separatelyPillar candles measure 3"" x 9""Coordinates with the Celtic Charm Collection: bridal garter, ring pillow, flower girl basket, guest book and pen set, cake serving set, Claddaugh cake topper and toasting glasses

Celtic Charm $2.95 By Karen Ann Krieger. For piano. The FJH Piano Ensemble Series. Single. Elementary. Single sheet. Published by The FJH Music Company Inc

Cleversilver's Celtic Charm $18.99 Charm Measures 27X14Mm. .925 Sterling Silver

Celtic Charm Flower Girl Basket $49.99 The flexible handle of the Celtic Charm Flower Girl Basket makes it easy for little hands to hold. Two Celtic Trinity Knots with sheer white bows and green ribbons make this basket adorable and traditionally Irish. Features and facts:White satin flower girl basket with sheer white bows accented with Celtic Trinity Knot charm on each sideMeasures 5"" diameter x 4"" highCoordinates with the Celtic Charm Collection: unity candles, bridal garter, ring pillow, guest book and pen set, cake serving set, Claddaugh cake topper and toasting glasses

A Ring Of Celtic Charm $48.75 Designed for both men and women, this striking two-tone band is intricately detailed with linked Celtic knots. From Ireland. Sterling silver with gold plating. Sizes 5-13 (no 1/2 sizes).

Reflections(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Bead / Charm $19.99 Reflections(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver

A Celtic Childhood $4.99 A Celtic Childhood is the lyrical narrative of a gifted and animated storyteller. With humor and charm, Watkins blends history, song and Celtic identity into a wonderful tale of misadventure and merriment.

Pandora $10 Pandora

Green Irish Celtic Cross Charm in Sterling Silver $40 Sterling silver green enamel Celtic cross charm. (205-LC-289) Authentic Zable jewelry Clip on Ez attach clasp is so easy to use View entire Amore la Vita charm collection here

SilveRado(tm) MIB018 Sterling Silver Celtic Knot Charm Bead / Charm $29 SilveRado(tm) MIB018 Sterling Silver Celtic Knot Charm Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver Dimensions: Width: 10.00 mm Length: 7.20 mm

Sterling Silver Celtic Clover Charm $60.24 Celtic clover charm makes a lovely addition to a charm bracelet or necklaceJewelry is crafted of gleaming sterling silverCharm features a clip on clasp that can be applied to any bracelet or chainWeighs 2.3 gramsMeasures 18.7 mm x 15 mm x 1.2 mm All weights and measurements are approximate and may vary slightly from the listed information. See Treatment Guide for further information.

Silvertone Copper Pandora-style Charm Bracelet $85.22 This charm bracelet offers stylistic freedom, allowing you to choose from five different color schemes. The bracelet is crafted of silvertone copper with glass beads.Style: CharmColor: Turquoise blue, baby blue, purple/pink, green/yellow/black, purpleStone: GlassStone measurements: 10 mm wide x 15 mm longMetal: CopperFinish: High polishClasp: Lobster clawMetal weight: 113 gramsBracelet dimensions: 15 mm wide x 7.5 inches longAll carat weights and measurements are approximate and may vary slightly from the listed dimensions. Treatment code CR (created stone). See Gemstone Treatments for further information.

Zable(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Cross Bead / Charm $29.99 Zable(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Cross Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver .

SilveRado(tm) MIB052 Sterling Silver Celtic Infinity Knot Bead / Charm $26.5 SilveRado(tm) MIB052 Sterling Silver Celtic Infinity Knot Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver .

SilveRado(tm) MIB053 Sterling Silver Celtic Infinity Heart Bead / Charm $26.5 SilveRado(tm) MIB053 Sterling Silver Celtic Infinity Heart Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver

Reflections(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Block Bead / Charm $28.99 Reflections(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Block Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver

Reflections(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Cross Bead / Charm $29.99 Reflections(tm) Sterling Silver Celtic Cross Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver

SilveRado(tm) MIB022 Sterling Silver Celtic Infinite Spiral Bead / Charm $26.5 SilveRado(tm) MIB022 Sterling Silver Celtic Infinite Spiral Bead / Charm crafted in 925 Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver 'Celtic Knot Heart' Charm $43.62 Fun charm depicts Celtic knot within a heartJewelry is crafted of sterling silver Charm features a clip on clasp that can be applied to any bracelet or chain Charm measures 15 mm x 15. mm x 1 mmWeighs 1.2 grams All carat weights and measurements are approximate and may vary slightly from the listed dimensions.

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