Throughout history, jewelry has always remained a timeless form of personal expression, cultural significance, and wealth. It has played a vital role in society for centuries, captivating our imagination and creativity. Beyond the aesthetics, these accessories hold some of the most fascinating jewelry facts that might surprise you.
In today’s world, adorning oneself with jewelry has become a fashion statement cherished by men and women around the globe. The creation of lasting and meaningful jewelry intricately weaves together art, culture, history, and even science. If you’re eager to deepen your connection with your sparkling treasures, let’s delve into some jewelry fun facts!
11 Jewelry Facts You Need to Know
Jewelry boasts a rich history spanning thousands of years, with each piece narrating a unique story. From the rarest gemstones on earth to the cosmic origins of gold, jewelry conceals many secrets.
At JewelryLab, we pride ourselves on crafting some of the most stunning and exquisite pieces that reflect your style and uniqueness. Elevate your look and explore our collection, featuring everything from elegant necklaces to eye-catching rings.
With that in mind, here are some of the most intriguing facts about jewelry that reveal their cultural secrets and stories.
1. Jewelry has been around for over 115,000 years
Approximately 115,000 years ago, the earliest known form of jewelry was discovered. Archaeologists believe that these perforated beads made from small seashells were crafted by Neanderthals living in Cueva de los Aviones, a cave on the southeast coast of Spain.
Additionally, beads made from perforated ostrich egg shells, dating back over 40,000 years, were found in Kenya at Enkapune Ya Muto. This is followed by stone bracelets and marble rings found in Russia that date to a similar age.
2. The word jewelry comes from the old French “jouel”
The term “jewelry” is believed to originate from the Middle Ages, deriving from the Old French word “jouel”. This translates to jewel adornment. However, digging further back, some sources trace the word to the Latin word “jocale”, meaning “plaything”.
3. The first ever diamonds were discovered in India 2,500 years ago
It is believed that the earliest known diamonds were discovered in India around 2,500 years ago in the Golconda region, between the Godavari and Krishna Rivers. Indian rulers regarded diamonds as divine due to their delicate and mysterious nature.
Since the techniques for cutting and polishing diamonds had not yet been developed, diamonds retained their original rough form. During this period, rough diamonds were commonly used as talismans, and only men were initially allowed to wear them in jewelry.
4. Archduke Maximillian is the man who introduced the tradition of engagement rings in 1477
The first engagement ring dates back to 1477 when Archduke Maximillian of Austria proposed to Mary of Burgundy. The archduke was so enamored with Mary that he presented her with a ring symbolizing his love and commitment to marriage.
This initiated a tradition that quickly caught on among elite societies. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that the trend became widespread among the general public. Today, most engagement rings feature precious gems like diamonds.
5. The world’s most expensive engagement ring is The Pink Star Diamond
The Pink Star Diamond ring reigns as the most expensive engagement ring ever sold, with a 59.60-carat oval-cut diamond that shattered records when it sold for around $71.2 million in 2017. The diamond stands out due to its brilliant pink color and extraordinary size.
This unique diamond became one of the most sought-after and costly engagement rings, celebrated for representing love and devotion as well as the rarity and divinity of natural pink diamonds.
6. The largest diamond ever found weighs 3,106 carats (621.20 g)
The Cullinan Diamond stands as the largest rough diamond ever discovered, weighing over 3,000 carats. It was unearthed on 26 January 1905 at the Premier No.2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa, and was named after the mine’s owner, Thomas Cullinan.
7. Painite is the world’s rarest and most unique gemstone
Painite holds the title as the rarest gemstone on Earth and also the rarest mineral ever discovered, backed by a Guinness World Record.
After its initial discovery, only 2 specimens of Painite were known to exist for several decades. By 2004, the number of known gemstones had risen to less than two dozen. Despite the recent opening of the Myanmar mine, fewer than 1,000 Painite gems exist, with most being unfaceted.
8. Gold is actually formed among the stars
Surprisingly, gold doesn’t form on Earth. There are no natural processes on our planet capable of producing new gold. While gold exists deep within the earth, it is actually formed among the stars.
When stars explode or collide, they generate the energy and conditions necessary to create gold. Hence, all the gold mined on Earth originally arrived via meteorites.
9. 24K gold is soft enough to move with our hands
If durability and strength are what you seek in your jewelry, pure gold might not be the best option. Platinum is a significantly superior and safer alternative.
24-karat gold is so soft that it can actually be moved and bent with your bare hands. This is why it’s rare to find pure 24-karat gold in jewelry. Instead, gold is often alloyed with other metals to create a more solid and durable piece of jewelry.
10. The earliest pearl jewelry was found over 2,000 years ago
The earliest piece of pearl jewelry dates back to 420 B.C. It was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess over 2,000 years ago and is currently exhibited at the Louvre in Paris, France.
11. The most expensive pearl is valued at $100 million
A Filipino fisherman discovered the most expensive pearl off the coast of Palawan Island and believed it would bring him good luck, keeping it hidden under his bed. Despite his home burning down, the precious stone survived.
Officials in the Philippines verified the pearl’s impressive dimensions, measuring 12 inches wide, 26 inches long, and weighing nearly 75 pounds. Its value is estimated at $100 million.
Conclusion
The world of jewelry is rich with surprising facts that many of us are unaware of. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, jewelry’s delicacy, origins, and cultural symbolism continue to fascinate and captivate us.
We hope this article has unveiled a different side of gemstones with these amazing jewelry facts. For contemporary handmade jewelry, feel free to explore our collection.
