Handmade Gemstone and Birthstone Jewelry

The pinnacle of symbolism in the world of beauty rests with jewelry. It appears in all its glory throughout the pages of history time and time again, from the era of the Neanderthals to the vaults of the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs, and in recent times, kept in all its glory as of the crown jewels of the English Royals. The most common type that’s popped up adorning the bodies of lavish lovers is handmade birthstone jewelry. Although jewelry has been far from limited to the upper classes of society, jewelry hewn from birthstones and gemstones –birthstone rings and necklaces, gemstone rings and pendants– has often been found clutched in the eager hands of the rich throughout ages and eras. But that’s not the case anymore. Jewelry has spread to the drawers of the commoners, no longer kept my expenses from those of us who adore decorating ourselves.

But where does this fashion appear from? What drives handmade gemstone jewelry to be the most popular out of the rest? What is the importance of birthstone jewelry throughout the eons?

#1 The Creation of Handmade Gemstone Jewelry:

Articles of handmade gemstone jewelry dating back to more than 115,000 years ago have been discovered in a cave along the southeast coast of Spain called Cueva de Los Aviones, while in Kenya, discoveries of 40,000 year-old jewelry are known to have been made. But established jewelry begins to appear in earnest around the rise of Ancient Egypt.

Jewelry in Egypt was often worn as an indication of social status, political and religious power, marital status, and position in the hierarchy. Although gold was the vastly featured metal, preferred for its malleability and used in religious ceremonies, it was often encrusted with either gemstones or glass.

Meanwhile in China, jade rose to popularity after being widely used in headdresses, pendants, arm clasps, and traditional handmade gemstone jewelry. Jade was revered for its qualities which were often compared to human characteristics –durability, hardness, and beauty. Gemstones in China were often carved into dragons, an ancient Chinese symbol.

#2 Popularity of Handmade Gemstone Jewelry:

 

Handmade jewelry initially came to exist due to a lack of proper machinery in the earlier ages –tools that would not come to exist for thousands of years. However, long after the creation of the aforementioned machinery, handmade jewelry still retains its popular status for a number of reasons. For a time, only the extremely rich could afford hand-hewn jewelry. Jewelry was being bulk produced through the use of tools and crude machinery. The rich hired jewelers to create unique pieces, and passed them down for generations as family heirlooms, and reminders of their social status. However, the mass hysteria around handmade items initially died down.

Today, people once more begin to opt for handmade jewelry due to a lack of uniqueness. As the jewelry is once more caught in a wave of mass production and bulk creation, the public has begun to shift interest towards handmade accessories.

Handmade accessories in this age tend to fall into two categories: either they’re created from recycled materials, or they’re high-end items created from gemstones. While there may be creators willing to sell their wares and goods for low prices, most handmade gemstone items are now sold at extremely high prices, due to the fair amount of labor that goes into the creation of a single item.

 

#3 Why Are Gemstone And Birthstone Items So Popular?

 

Gemstones are mineral crystals that are often used in luxury items for their aesthetic value. Their most popular use is in jewelry and heirlooms. Their rarity is one of the reasons for their high prices. Gemstones have been used in luxury items throughout most of history. They have often been used to signify social status, as a piece of symbolism, in religious ceremonies, and as birthstones.

 

A birthstone is a gemstone that symbolizes the month a person is born in. Birthstones are often the basis of jewelry creation and are often used as inspiration or muse. One gemstone symbolizes each month of the Gregorian calendar in one belief, while in the other, a more popular one, birthstones are assigned according to Zodiac signs.

 

While symbolic resonances in association with gemstones and birthstones have cut down significantly, aesthetic appreciators still design their jewelry according to their birthstones.

 

#4 The Mystery Around Birthstones:

 

While birthstones have not been scientifically proven to give out “bad vibes” or to harm people, many cultures around the world harbor many a superstition concerning these stones. From who should wear which stone, to what effect it will have on the wearer’s life, these superstitions run wild in many countries. Some superstitions regarding birthstones according to their corresponding month are:

The Garnet, which is the birthstone for January, is believed to prevent bloodshed and is considered to be the gem of faith and truth.

The birthstone of February, the Amethyst, is thought to chase away evil thoughts and quicken wit and intelligence. It is often used to symbolize celibacy and piety.

Aquamarine is the March gemstone, known to be the most unstable stone in terms of energy. It is known to rarely suit wearers. This is often associated with its color, which is blue and is also the color of the water.

• The diamond, the king of gemstones, is the birthstone for the month of April. Diamonds are sometimes told to represent love and strength. However, in Greek culture, diamonds are said to be formed by the tears of the gods. Meanwhile, in the Hindu cultures, diamonds were believed to be the result of lightning striking rock.

 

• The birthstone of May, the emerald, was worn by pharaohs as it was said to grant eternal life.

 

• The pearl for June is said to come from the brain of a dragon by the Chinese.

 

• July is associated with rubies which are predicted to darken when you’re in danger.

 

• The August birthstone, peridot, was thought to cure heart diseases.

 

• The sapphire for September was considered a cure for poison.

 

• The opal which was the birthstone for October was considered unlucky due to its brittle nature.

 

• Citrine, the birthstone for opal, is not surrounded by many myths due to its rare nature. However, it was known to be a cure for snake venom.

 

• Turquoise, the birthstone for December, was said to have properties that ease stress and mental problems.

These birthstones and many like these are surrounded in a veil of myths, all of them the product of hundreds of cultures developed over thousands of years.

 

#5 Why And Where To Buy Handmade Gemstone Jewelry:

 

Whether you just want to add a fresh look to your outfit or want to abide by myths and superstitions of old, gemstone jewelry is a great accessory to have on hand. The handmade part means that you can participate in fair trade and make sure the creators get their hard work’s worth. While it might be hard to imagine places where you can find unique items like these, in reality, it’s not hard at all. At sites like www.sitarajewelry.com, you can get your money’s worth. sitarajewelry.com has a vast variety of items, ranging from sapphire earrings to moonstone accessories. Sitara Collections strives to cater to customer's needs in any way possible.

 

 

Birthstone inspired jewelry has been a part of many cultures since the dawn of time. Even in the age of pop culture, it doesn’t seem like this age-old trend is going to fade. So, better to join in.

 

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