When did men start wearing jewelry?
Early Men's Jewelry
Scholars believe that early jewelry was made of natural products, such as flowers, leaves, branches, animal bones and stones. In North Africa, people found a shell necklace dating back 82,000 years, with an artificial perforation in the center of the shell. It is well known that the ancient Greeks wore wreaths on their heads, usually made of olive, pine, laurel, celery or palm. Different leaves and flowers represent different gods. For example, oak stands for Zeus and laurel stands for Apollo. Early jewelry was often seen as a symbol of honor, wealth and power. The traditional jewelry manufacturing industry first appeared 6000 years ago, when copper, silver and gold jewelry were used to show the social, political and religious significance of men in ancient Egypt, Rome and Mesopotamia.
Medieval Men's Jewelry
Due to the influence of famine, war and plague, the Middle Ages were considered a dark age. In this period of poverty and pain, jewelry production in Western Europe has generally stagnated. In the Middle Ages, gold was the main material for jewelry design. Commonly used gemstones were freshwater pearls, amber and coral.
The jewelry worn by Europe in the Middle Ages reflects a highly hierarchical and status-conscious society. Patriarchy is gradually emerging, and men's jewelry was gradually distinguished from female jewelry. Only royals and nobles can wear gold, silver and precious gems. Crowns, scepters, and special brooches are used as symbols of power and special status. For men, the ring is particularly important, because the ring is a sign of loyalty. Signet rings are becoming more and more popular. They are usually printed with a family symbol or emblem.
In the Middle Ages, men's jewelry became more and more fashionable. Various gems and colored gems were inlaid on the garments of nobles and royals, as well as on rings, belts, brooches, cuffs, etc. With the opening of trade between countries and continents, foreign gems and materials were introduced.
Renaissance Men's Jewelry
The Renaissance brought the rapid development of art, but also the rapid development of technology, knowledge, and science. We can know from the preserved portraits at that time that the jewelry of the Renaissance period is magnificent, and the jewelry of this period shows the enthusiasm for glory of this era.
It is well known that Charles I of England wore a large drop pearl earring, which became a male fashion in the 16th century. Men of the sea where gold and silver hoops. In addition to decoration, the hoop earrings can also be used to pay for certain funeral expenses, because for sailors and pirates, life and death are impermanent.
The rapidly developing jewelry manufacturing industry has enabled people to buy cheap jewelry regardless of social status. Men wear all kinds of men's rings, men's bracelets and pendants.
Common jewelry in the Renaissance includes necklaces, pendants, earrings and Headwear with jewels. The most representative jewelry is pendants. Pendants replaced medieval brooches and were fastened to clothes or belts with long gold chains. The front and back of the pendant also have exquisite designs, and the back is decorated with exquisite enamel.
Modern Men's Jewelry
In an increasingly diversified and global culture, jewelry will only be limited by people's imagination. Different craftsmen make different styles of jewelry to convey different views on art. Men are paying more and more attention to their own image. They are not willing to just wear "plain" clothes, and begin to wear jewelry that suits them to show their personality and improve their taste.
Modern men's jewelry is mainly composed of necklaces, bracelets and rings. These jewelries are made of various materials, such as gold, silver, copper and stainless steel. Men can find various styles of jewelry to express their personality and decorate their lives. For example, you can find skull jewelry, Viking jewelry, religious themed jewelry, etc. In our shop.