Jewels through history: What did jewels mean to other culture?

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J
ewels through history What did gemstones mean to
ancient culture
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Precious gemstones have proven to be one of the
few constants in human history, with humans
always mesmerised by their beauty. The appeal of
these stones has placed them in deep regard and
was attributed to great power. Lets find out
what these gemstones mean to our forefathers.
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T
he value that ancient cultures placed on gems
Lets take and look a see what precious stones
meant to some of the most influential ancient
cultures in history.
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Mesopotamia was the first society where
jewellery was an indelible part of the culture.
Although the place adored precious stones, the
area was not known to be a gemstone hotspot.
When people get their hands on precious gems,
their value would be so high, even the owner
would often ask to be buried with them.
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Ancient Egyptian land was rich in gemstones and
often signified nobility and power. Egyptians
were known to wear lavish bracelets adorned with
numerous stones like amethyst, carnelian and
green feldspar. Pharaohs and priests exclusively
wore yellow stones and represented the sun god
Ra. Meanwhile, green stones were placed in the
mouths of mummified pharaohs to give them
ability of speech in the next world.
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Greeks were known to use their influence to
import gemstones from Asia, Africa and the
subcontinent. The people deemed amethysts as
something that gives its wearer benefits,
including the ability to control alcohol. Greeks
also revered sapphires, meaning blue, which
symbolises wisdom and purity.
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Unlike the other ancient societies, Romans saw
gemstones more as a functional tool than a
mystical source of power. They used them as wax
seals and as currency to buy power from other
countries. Unlike today where we use them
primarily to create diamond rings as a sign of
betrothal .
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hat each gemstone meant to the ancients
Seeing the evolution of jewellery, what would
ancient people think of someone wandering around
with a yellow diamond around their neck, or
wearing a sapphire ring?
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This stone was popular in Ancient Greece because
of its deemed ability to serve as an antidote to
intoxication.
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Aquamarine is famous to have been used by
sailors throughout history as a token for
safety. Romans believed this stone was sacred to
Neptune, the god of the sea and was named the
treasure of mermaids.
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The purity and beauty of diamonds have been the
focus of many ancient cultures. Romans and
Greeks even believed that these stones were
chips from fallen stars and tears from the gods.
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Emeralds were often used as healing stones and
fortune-telling devices. Meanwhile, several
cultures see emerald as a source of improved
intelligence, better memory, and was used for
vaccination for maladies and cure for epilepsy.
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Greeks didnt see diamonds as forever, but
garnet was. It was a symbol of eternity and
believed to repair broken bonds of love.
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Opal was originally thought by the Greeks to
give a person the ability to have foresight.
Ancient Arabs originally believed that this
stone was a product of thunder and lightning.
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Pearls were seen as the key to a happy marriage
and were often gifted to newlyweds to prevent
fights and tears.
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Ruby represented both love and war and was named
in the Old Testament as the most precious of the
12 stones that God created at the beginning of
time. Many ancient societies believed rubies to
be a source of wisdom, health and wealth.
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Sapphire was used to be thought as the entire
world reflected off the sky and glowed through
the ocean. These stones were used to guard
against envy, disease and bad luck.
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Across human history, topaz was used to increase
strength, brain power, treatment for insomnia,
asthma and burns. It was also believed to be an
anti-depressant, curse negator and indicator of
poison in drinks.
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Gemstones have played a big part in the lives of
people in the past. What would they think if they
wander through the best jewellers in Sydney
today?