Jewellery - some facts

Jewellery, or jewelry, refers to the costly personal ornaments of gold, silver, enameled ware, and the like, usually adorned with precious stones. As produced today it consists chiefly of ma-chine-made articles, often beautiful in design but lacking the artistic touch seen in the handmade ornaments of ancient and medieval times. Of late years such schools as Pratt Institute, New York, whose students in the department of fine arts have produced very beautiful hand-made Jewellery, have done much to revive the art of Jewellery making. This is a commendable step, for its proficiency in the art of making Jewellery is a test of a nation's artistic development. A jeweler must produce the largest amount of beauty within the smallest space.

   The use of jewellery is as old as civilization. Some of the ancient Egyptian work resembled greatly the Chinese cloisonne of today; that of the ancient Greeks was notable for its purity and simplicity; while that of the old Romans was more ostentatious but of less exquisite workmanship. The Renaissance produced masters in Jewellery-making as it did masters in every other art. Foremost among these great jewelers were Benvenuto Cellini and Albrecht Dürer.

   The modern period is characterized by a simpler and more graceful method in mounting gems and in the designing of jewelry. During the nineteenth century the diamond was the stone in high favor; now it has made way for the pearl. For many years the jewelers of London and Paris, and the gem-cutters of Holland held first place, but now American workers have won a name abroad. The quantity of gaudy Jewellery sold today is an unfortunate reflection on popular taste. Nothing bespeaks poorer judgment as to the eternal fitness of things than the wearing of such spurious jewelry, unless it be expensive jewelry worn out of place.