Irina's Blog
10 Fun Facts about Jewellery and Gemstones
January 28, 2013
So you love jewellery and gemstones? Then you’ll love these fun and interesting facts. I’ve put together this list of my 10 favourite facts while reading many different books and sources on this fascinating topic.
1. Jewellery is joy
The word ‘jewelry’ comes from the Old French word “joaillerie” meaning joy and gladness. Beyond that, the word “joaillerie” comes from the 13th century French word “jouel”, but originated in the Latin word “jocale”, meaning plaything.
2. Men - the first to wear jewellery
Even though women are more avid jewellery consumers nowadays, men were the first to wear jewellery as a status symbol and as good luck amulets to aid them in battle
3. Birthstones
Aaron, first high priest of the Hebrews, wore 12 gemstones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel in his silver breastplate. This is when the first twelve birthstones originated.
4. Beads and praying
The word bead comes from the Anglo-Saxon words bidden meaning “to pray” and bede “prayer”.
5. Cleopatra's pearls
According to legend, Cleopatra once crushed a pearl, dissolved it in wine and drank it over a bet with Marc Antony. The pearl was reported to be worth about five million sesterces (approximately $12,500).
6. Rhinestones came from river Rhine
The original rhinestones were quartz pebbles taken from the Rhine river, in Germany. The stones had gorgeous shades of pink and blue.
7. Amber - very old tree sap
Amber is actually a fossilized tree sap that is at least 30 million years old. It is called copal when it is under 30 million years old. Amber can contain insects, which is one of the ways to definitely identify it. Some common insects found in it are gnats, flies, wasps, ants and bees.
8. Amethyst and wine
Amethyst is said to protect against drunkenness if worn as an amulet. The Greek word "amethystos" is translated as "not drunken.”Amethyst was a beautiful nymph changed into a gemstone to save her from Dionysus, who then gave the stone its purple to preserve the wearer from the effects of wine.
9. Cameos - charms to express desire
In the Hellenistic era young women used cameos as charms to express desire. A woman could wear a cameo depicting a dancing Eros as a seductive invitation to love.
10. Jewellery in movies
The most expensive piece of jewellery ever designed specifically for a movie was the necklace worn by Nicole Kidman in the musical Moulin Rouge. The $1 million creation was designed by Stefano Canturi of platinum and 1,308 diamonds with a combined total of 134 carats.
Until next time,
Irina K.
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