Love Expensive Jewelry? Know These 6 Facts To Love Them Even More!

Our love for jewelry is no secret. From special occasions to daily wear, jewelry comes in all forms and sizes. Decorating ourselves was one of the earliest recorded developments in the forming of a conscious mind. Even today, jewelry has retained its charm and makes for a multi-billion dollar industry, and at the top of that chain resides the expensive jewelry niche. If you are an aficionado or simply someone out to shop, we have got the 6 facts for you that are going to make you fall in love with them even more.

1. Jewelry: A story as old as time
   The oldest piece of jewelry dates as far back as 100,000 years. At that time, all jewelry was organic, and considered an ornament only for the top tier of society or reserved for really special occasions like marriage (no surprises there!).
   They were made from beads and pearls and shells, strung together by a woven thread. Necklaces, bracelets, and headgears were the most common form of adornment. It served as a clear reminder of your social status and men and women alike adorned them.
2. Platinum standard: Rare as they come
   More sought after than diamonds, platinum truly is the jewel of the rich. Such is the rarity of platinum that, on an estimate, all the platinum ever mined will fit inside an average-sized living room. It is on the back of such rarity that it fetches the price it does.
   In some countries, platinum is also said to bring good fortune and is worn with different gemstones to ward off unfavorable occurrences. Having a spiritual value adds to the demand and pushes up the price.
3. The very first of diamonds: Born in India
   Durability and sparkle are the two deciding factors that have made diamonds so popular. The refraction index creates a unique signature for every class of diamonds. The higher you go, the costlier it gets. The first diamond was mined in India in the 4^th century and the country remained the only place to do so until the 18^th century. South Africa and Brazil are also leading suppliers of diamonds today. The USA is the leading consumer.
4. Pearls: The only organic jewelry
   A pearl starts as a little dirt that manages to get inside an oyster. Over a while, the oyster covers it with pearl material. It ages and solidifies and turns into a pearl. Due to high demand, manmade pearls have become popular too. A shell is used in place of dirt in such cases.

   

   It takes a minimum of three years for an oyster to form a pearl. Naturally occurring pearls are found deep inside the sea, or on ocean beds. The organic (marine) part involved in its creation has greatly enhanced its value. Pearl bracelets and necklaces make for a popular gifting option too.

5. Gold: Popular by demand
   No other precious metal is as synonymous with jewelry as gold. The shine, the luster, and the longevity make it one of the most sought after metals. In India, it is a sign of prosperity. The more gold you own, the richer you are. Brides are given gold ornaments as a sign of bringing prosperity to the house they go to.
   Pure gold is so malleable that you can scratch it, pull it out by the mere force of your hands. This is why gold jewelry is always made in amalgamation with another, inferior or otherwise, metal. From 12 carats to 24 carats, the price goes up and so does the luxury quotient.
6. Sapphire, Topaz, Opal: Literature and its influence
   Opal is considered to be an unlucky stone by many. The root cause behind this widespread misconception can be traced back to literature. At a time when printing presses were gaining momentum, many authors resorted to using gems and stones to lend an aura of mystery to their characters. Some of these stories stuck around and developed into beliefs. Opal was one such unfortunate victim.
   Sapphire and Topaz were included in such contexts too, but they were spared the fate of Opal. They became identifiers for the stoned found and later segregated based on their colors, e.g. red sapphires became known as rubies.

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