7 Surprising Facts About Jewelry You Probably Did Not Know
Jewelry has been with humans for tens of thousands of years, and every piece we wear today has a story. Here are seven surprising facts from the world of jewelry.
1. Some of the oldest jewelry in the world was found on Mount Carmel
In Skhul Cave on Mount Carmel, archaeologists found small shell beads, pierced to be strung as a necklace, dated to about 100,000 years ago. They are considered some of the oldest evidence of jewelry in the world. In other words, the urge to adorn ourselves is almost as old as humanity itself.
2. The word “carat” comes from the carob tree
The unit of weight for gemstones comes from the Greek name for the carob tree, keration. Carob seeds were once used as weights for gems. Today one carat equals exactly 0.2 grams.
3. Why is the wedding ring worn on the fourth finger?
According to an ancient belief, a “vein of love” (vena amoris) runs from the fourth finger of the left hand straight to the heart. Anatomically it is not true, but the tradition stayed with us.
4. The tennis bracelet was born in the middle of a match
In 1987, during the US Open, tennis star Chris Evert’s slim diamond bracelet came undone. The match was paused until it was found, and ever since, single-row stone bracelets have been called “tennis bracelets”. For the modern version: 925 silver tennis bracelets.
5. The first documented diamond engagement ring
In 1477 Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy a ring set with diamonds. It is considered the first documented diamond engagement ring, and it started a tradition that continues today.
6. Moissanite came from space
The stone that rivals diamond today was discovered in 1893 in fragments of a meteorite that fell in Arizona. The chemist who found it, Henri Moissan, first thought he had found diamonds. We tell the full story in what is moissanite.
7. Eggs tarnish silver
Eggs and onions are rich in sulfur compounds that react with silver and form the dark layer. That is why it is best to keep silver jewelry out of the kitchen and store it in a sealed bag. More tips in our 925 silver guide.
And speaking of jewelry with a story, take a look at the MUSK collections.