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.
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