crystal jewelry worn in Ancient Egypt

The ancient Egyptians were one of the first cultures to develop a passion for gemstones and precious metals. Various fashions came and went, with different pieces being particularly fashionable at different points in history. It is thought that these trends were often influenced by trade; the gold mines of Nubia meant that the Egyptians had access to gold from around 2000 BCE onwards. This article takes a brief look at some of the popular fashions when it came to Egyptian jewelry, focusing on those made with crystals and other semi-precious stones as well as metals such as silver, copper, and gold. We also take a look at some of their more unusual practices when it comes to jewelry (such as inserting false eye sockets with special gems), which while not necessarily practical or even permanent, is certainly interesting!

Earrings

Earrings were, of course, a very popular Egyptian jewelry trend, with pierced ears being particularly common among both men and women. They could be shaped like flowers or plants, or simply be a hoop of gold with a gemstone placed in the center. They were often very large, with some examples around half an inch wide, which suggests that they were worn above the ear rather than in it. Earrings were often worn in pairs, with the trend being to have one on each ear. The upper ear was the most common place for them, but the lower ear was also used, with some examples having a pair on each ear! It is thought that the reason for this was that the upper ear was considered to be the part of the ear that connected the wearer to the spiritual world, whereas the lower ear was the part that connected them to the material world. Silver was often used for earrings, with gold being reserved for higher class Egyptians.

Rings

Egyptians were also very fond of rings, with both men and women wearing them. Rings were often worn as an ornament as well as a way of displaying social status. There were many different types of ring worn in Ancient Egypt, and different ones were worn by different classes of people. Some were made of plain gold, but others had a special design carved into them. These special designs could include pictures of gods or goddesses, or pictures of birds or insects. There were also rings made of special materials such as carnelian, lapis lazuli, and turquoise.

Anklets

Anklets were another very popular form of jewelry in Ancient Egypt, with both men and women wearing them. They were often made from gold, with a silver chain or copper wire running through them. They were often plain, with no gems or inscriptions, but some were decorated with precious stones, with the most popular being carnelian, lapis lazuli, turquoise, and occasionally gold. Anklets were often worn on both legs, although examples have been found that were worn on the right leg only.

Necklaces

Necklaces were another very common form of jewelry in Ancient Egypt. They were often made out of gold, with a chain running through them. Some had a pendant at the end of the chain, but others were simple chains that were used to store charms or amulets. These amulets could be pieces of carved stone, or even miniature caskets that contained inscribed texts or mummies. Most of the time, the chain was open on one end for inserting or removing the charms or amulets. Gold was the most common material for necklaces, but silver was also used, especially for women. Some examples of silver necklaces exist that were created in the shape of the uraeus, a symbol associated with power and royalty.

Bracelets

Egyptians were also fond of bracelets, and both men and women wore them. They were often made out of gold, but some were also made from silver or copper. The bracelets were often plain, but some had inscriptions on them. Most of the time, they were written in hieroglyphs, but sometimes they were written in the language of the people living in the region that the Egyptians were trading with. Bracelets were often worn above the elbow, although there is evidence of some being worn on the lower arm. There are also examples of some being worn on both arms. Bracelets were often used to store charms and amulets, with some examples containing miniature caskets that contained inscriptions.

Conclusion

When it came to Ancient Egyptian jewelry, gold was the metal of choice and was often decorated with semi-precious stones such as lapis lazuli and turquoise. Silver and copper were also used, and were often shaped into anklets and bracelets. Earrings were also very popular, with men and women often wearing them in pairs with one on each ear. Rings and necklaces were also common jewelry trends. This was a culture that was passionate about jewelry, both in terms of what they wore and how they made it. It is no wonder that they have inspired so many people; even though the trends have changed over time, their jewelry remains as fashionable as ever!