Jewellery, the very oldest of decorative arts.
Humankind has been wearing jewellery of one sort or another since antiquity. Mainly used to beautify, show status or wealth, in grief or to create a partnership in love.
The more recognized forms of jewellery today, made over the last few centuries, consist of the obvious precious metals and gemstones of, gold, silver and platinum with diamond, ruby and sapphires. But for cost, as well as design variety, much use was made of practically anything that would polish to a shine like; amethyst, emerald, peridot, ivory, coral, jade, lava, shell, glass, and also natural products like pearls and human hair.
Many of us are familiar with insect jewellery, otherwise known as the bugs and butterflies culture. Fashionable among the Victorians, and with very much still in beautiful condition today, these items remain of great interest to the collector, with the added bonus that they can still be used for their original purpose, adornment.
