Fine Jewelry: Common Types, Their Designs And Functions
The visual appeal of fine jewelry has never failed to capture our attention. As a matter of fact, jewelry pieces are sometimes perceived as the determining factor of societal status especially during the ancient times. They have significantly shaped many traditions that we know today. From necklaces and earrings, to rings and bracelets, these jewelry pieces have provided humans with material satisfaction that no other objects could provide.
There are many kinds of fine jewelry pieces available. Some are worn as adornments, while others serve as symbolic tokens presented in different occasions. There are also pieces that are inexpensive and simple in finish, while other articles are very expensive and made from the finest materials. In order to further understand the types of jewelry, some of the most popular pieces are tackled below along with their qualities and functions. Rings are perhaps the most common articles of jewelry that almost all of us are familiar with. They usually come in differing varieties, the most common of which are in plain cylindrical bands adorned with gemstones like diamond heart or round cuts, spiral or serpentine coils, signet rings, and open on one side. Rings vary in functions depending on their wearers, but they are usually used as symbolic gifts to seal engagements and weddings, or just hoops to adorn the fingers. In the case of signet rings, these bands are employed to tote the emblems of fraternal orders or the insignias of certain organizations.
Another popular type of jewelry is the necklace which is worn around the neck. Generally, necklaces come in four different forms: close fitting collar band decorated with precious stones or beads, chain necklace with a pendant, raw of beads in graduating sizes set in a wire or chain, and strings of different lengths of necklaces worn on top of each other. Necklaces can be made of different precious metals, gemstones, raw materials or a combination of these items, and are commonly used together with pendants that are made of precious stones; the most of popular of which is the diamond heart pendant. To further highlight the beauty of necklaces, they appropriately worn with dresses that have low necklines as this design helps the jewelry to become the focal point of the person’s upper body.
Meanwhile, earrings are jewelry for the ears that can either be set on against the ear lobes or hanging drops like pendants. The most favorite form of earrings set against the earlobe is the pair of pearls, while popular hanging drops are the ones referred to as chandelier earrings. Traditionally, the use of earrings requires ear piercings as the practice of wearing such jewelry was once regarded as a barbarous act. Today, earrings can be worn by means of clipping them to the ear, though the method of ear piercing is still practiced.
The bracelet is another type of fine jewelry, worn on the arm. This large ring-like piece may come as closed band, spiral coil, open on one side, closed with clasp or flexible rings formed as links. Other than the aforementioned pieces, there are other types of jewelry that one may encounter in the market including pins, cuff links, anklets, chains, brooches, and collar buttons to name a few. Overall, jewelry pieces comes in differing quality, sizes, design, price as well as functions; it is up to the owner where and when he or she intend to use these precious materials to gain satisfaction.
In creating fine jewelry articles, metals, gemstones, coins as well as other materials are utilized though they are commonly set into precious metals, accentuated with gemstones like diamond heart. Aside from their ornamental purpose, jewelry pieces have long been used throughout history as symbolic tokens given during occasions especially during weddings and betrothals. They were also used to denote power and status in many societies.
- Lorraine Jacobs
