The Fascinating History of Beads in Beaded Jewelry

Beads have long been one of the mainstays of beaded jewelry and for good reason. Natural gemstone beads are attractive, versatile, and easy to wear, which has made them attractive to jewelers and consumers alike across the world for thousands of years. However, not all beads are created equal, and neither are the uses to which they’ve been put by different cultures in different eras. In order to give you a better understanding of how to incorporate beads into your beaded jewelry designs, here’s a brief history of beads in beaded jewelry throughout different times and cultures around the world.

A Brief History

Throughout the history of humankind, beads have been used as a means for personal adornment and spiritual expression. In addition, they believed that beading was a sacred ritual. Furthermore, the ancient Egyptians used beads to symbolize life’s passage from death to rebirth. To signify this, mourners would wear black bead necklaces with red gemstone scarabs.

In ancient China, it is said that Queens wore a necklace with over five thousand tiny pearls at the coronation ceremony in 684 B.C., which reflected her royal status among Chinese royalty at the time.

 

Ancient Times

Wholesale gemstone Beads have been a part of jewelry since ancient times. They were often worn by tribal people who believed that they could ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, as well as be a symbol of rank or status. The earliest beads found so far date back to around 8000 BCE. They were made from shells, quartz, and other natural materials that could be shaped into beads. As time went on, glass beads became more popular. Glassmaking was invented during Ancient Egypt's Late Period when it became easier to produce colored glass. These glass beads were either dyed or painted with designs before they were put on necklaces.

 

Modern Era

Throughout the modern era, precious faceted gemstone beads have been used to make beaded jewelry. However, this wasn't always the case. In ancient times, beads were made from seashells or stones and strung together with thread or sinew. Other materials that were used included porcupine quills, animal teeth, and human hair. With the exception of human hair, all these materials tended to be colorful but not very durable when compared to the glass beads that are used today. Glass beads were first introduced to Europe by Venetian traders in the 17th century. These Murano glass beads became so popular throughout Europe that they began replacing other types of beads as the favored material for making jewelry.

 

Conclusion

Beading has a long and fascinating history. It's been around for thousands of years and is still evolving today. Beading isn't just a hobby, it's an art. People all over the world bead jewelry as a means to make money or even just for the joy that comes from making something with their hands. From ancient times to now, beading has been used by many cultures to express themselves through color and shape.