Why We Wear Jewelry
Jewelry was an early form of decorative art. The study of some primitive cultures shows that organic materials were used in the past. It was not until a later stage of human development that people chose precious and possibly scarce materials from far away to create jewelry.1
In many cases, jewelry was used as personal adornment, and also to convey the wearer’s social roles. Jewelry was also used to ward off disease and other evils, and sometimes even to work “magic” against opponents. In religious rituals, jewelry enhanced acts and signs of prayer and devotion to divinities.2
Jewelry that was made out of precious materials surfaced 5,000 years ago. In Mesopotamia, jewelry was fashioned from metals designed as leaves, spirals, and bunches of grapes and inlaid with brightly colored stones. The Ancient Chinese had high regard for jade and silver. Brooches made of precious metals were used in Ancient Greece and Rome to clasp clothes together. Mayan jewelry was generally made from jade, gold, bronze, silver, and copper. Gold was highly coveted in Ancient Egypt such as was displayed in artifacts from King Tut’s tomb. These ancient cultures considered jewelry as a status symbol and only the affluent wore it. In the Middle Ages, royalty and nobility wore jewelry made from gold, silver, and precious gems, while those from the lower classes wore ornaments made from base metals like copper and pewter.3
As times and traditions changed, the mindset about jewelry has also transformed. It has become a mode of self-expression and creativity that’s not limited to costly metals and stones. Jewelry can now also be made from textiles, leather, plastic, glass, or crystal. Fashionable and luxury jewelry is worn by people from all walks of life. These days, people wear jewelry to reflect their mood, style, and individuality.
Kenko Jewelry is the Nikken line, and whether it’s a pair of earrings, a necklace or a bracelet, each piece incorporates magnetic technology, comfort and style. Kenko means health or healthy in Japanese, and as with every Nikken product, our jewelry is made with the purpose of enhancing the Active Wellness lifestyle. Through the end of the year, there is special holiday jewelry, ideal for gifting, in addition to our regular year-round items. Check out the Holiday Gift Guide and get them while they last!
1, 2 https://fashion-history.lovetoknow.com/fashion-accessories/history-jewelry-fashion
3 http://www.historyisnowmagazine.com/blog/2021/9/20/a-brief-history-of-jewelry