Egyptian Jewelry
Jewelry was worn by ancient Egyptian men and women. Ancient Egyptian jewelry made
abundant use of different metals, minerals and a variety of stones in an amazing range of colors.
Lapiz lazuli found special place in most Egyptian jewelry items. Other materials that were used
in ancient Egyptian jewelry were amethyst, feldspar, turquoise, garnet and opal. Rings made of
horn or stone were common before the discovery of metals. Gold, silver and copper were the
metals that were used by ancient Egyptian jewelry craftsmen. Take a look at contemporary
Egyptian jewelry. You might find something interesting to add to your jewelry box.
Ancient Egyptian jewelry
There are many examples of fine ancient Egyptian jewelry. Bracelets belonging to early
Egyptian queens, necklaces, earrings and rings worn as early as 2500 BC in the Suzerain
civilization give you a glimpse into jewelry that was worn in times gone by. Waist belts attached
to the navel were also not uncommon. King Tut's tomb revealed fascinating ancient Egyptian
jewelry. Bracelets and bangles were made in matching sets.
Amulets and finger rings made of stone and gold-foil bands were popular. Pectorals in the shape
of trapezoids were worn across the chest. Ancient Egyptian jewelry also included gold-plated
vests. Scarab rings made with gold-foil bands and small string of beads were extremely popular.
Scarabs were a sign of rebirth. Such jewelry was therefore buried with the dead to assure rebirth.
Skilled Egyptian craftsmen created fine jewelry pieces to bedeck living people and mummies
alike. Since Egyptian customs dictated that the corpse must be adorned with jewelry created
especially for it, amulets and rings, necklaces laced with semi-precious stones were made with
gold and other lesser metals. The colors for the stones held special significance and symbolism.
While red stones symbolized energy and power, dark blue of the lapis lazuli was all-embracing.
The Egyptian name for turquoise 'mefkat' is indicative of its symbolism as a harbinger of joy.
Wreaths, crowns or hair bands were made for mummies. With access to several precious metals
and knowledge of welding and soldering, fine jewelry was crafted by Egyptian jewelers by
combining layers of gold plates with colored stones. Cloisonne and filigree techniques were also
used. Sheets of beaten gold inlaid with semi-precious stones made for exquisite vests. Tiny gold
balls were created by granulation and used in different jewelry pieces. Beads held their own
special symbolism in ancient Egyptian jewelry. The jewelry derived additional texture and color
with faience and glass.
Contemporary Egyptian jewelry
Today modern Egyptian and Bedouin jewelry patterns are a blend of ancient designs with a more
contemporary look. Cartouche jewelry is one such popular Egyptian jewelry style. You can get a
Cartouche ring personalized with your name or ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Cartouche is an
elliptical symbol that is used as a pendant. The 'Head of Nefitari' pendants find favor with many
tourists looking for Egyptian jewelry. Fine reproductions of ancient artifact jewelry are also
available. You can pick up modern Egyptian jewelry for anywhere in the range of $10 - $250.
The Ka bracelet, with its characteristic lotus flower is a popular piece of modern Egyptian
jewelry. Inlaid with turquoise, onyx and lapis lazuli, this item of contemporary Egyptian jewelry
finds favor with many. You can select a large-winged sacred Scarab pendant studded with
Swarovski crystals and turquoise. Cleopatra pendant makes for a perfect blend of the modern and
the ancient.
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Jewels of the Ancient Egypt
The history knows a huge amount of brilliant Egyptian jewelry and
decorative elements that attract attention and admiration of many. Trinkets
of magnificent Queens of Egypt, necklaces, earrings and rings worn in the
ancient times in the ancient but magnificent civilization give you a sight into
the jewelry world in its wide range of assortments. The sepulcher of the King
Tut made available mesmerizing ancient Egyptian jewelry.
Ancient people in Egypt used to wear various kinds of jewels. They were
made from metal, stones and minerals of different color gamma and various
values. Egyptian jewelry includes elements from the Tot’s emerald tables,
Egyptian hieroglyphs, Egyptian and alchemical symbolisms. Blue spar was a
popular stone to be placed in most Egyptian bracelets and other jewels.
They were also available in such stones as amethyst, feldspar, turquoise,
garnet and opal. Bracelets and armlets were made to match each other. Also
Ka bracelets are so popular not only with the natives but with the tourists
who love wearing this bracelet even for evening parties.
According to the Ancient Egypt myths Ka is the Life Force or Nature of the
Human Being. The Lotus flower on the Ka bracelet symbolizes the cycle of
life and death, since in the daytime lotus stays on the water and in the night
it goes under the water. The Ka bracelet is decorated with such semi-
precious stones and minerals as jasper for the purpose of protection,
turquoise, lapis lazuli and onyx and they were greatly popular among the
native Egyptians.
Women in Egypt often enjoyed wearing charms and rings from minerals and
golden bands. They also wore pectorals across their chest to match the other
jewelry. Also ancient Egyptians would wear gilded vests. Waist belts going to
the navel were also not so rare. Rings in the form of a scarab with gold-foil
bands and added a small thread of beads were very much in love among the
native population since scarabs were the real embodiment of renascence.
Dead people were buried with such jewels to reincarnate in future lives.
Ancient people made rings from animal horns or other minerals before they
explored metal. Jewelry masters in Egypt used for making jewelry such
other metals as gold, silver and copper. High-professional artisans made the
charms with the purpose to adorn people and mummies alike. According to
Egyptian traditions the corpse must be decorated with charms and jewel
items made especially for it, talismans and rings, bands laced with stones of
various values were made with gold and other lesser metals. The color used
for metals and minerals employed in jewelry craft was of specific importance
and symbolic. For instance, red meant authority and power while dark blue
color was very comprehensive.
Garlands, crowns or hair bands were previously made for mummies. When
precious metals and stone were discovered and as they acquired the skills of
welding and soldering, they made delicate jewel items by combining layers
of gold plates with colored stones. They used such techniques as cloisonne
and filigree. Sheets of plate gold with crusted gemstones were made for
elegant vests. Artisans used golden balls to place in various jewelry items.
As for the beads they bore specific significance in making Egyptian jewels.
And extra texture and various color was achieved by faience and glass.
At present we can find the mix of update Egyptian and Bedouin charms of
ancient designs with a present-day look. The Egyptian people preferred
wearing cartouche garlands in the everyday life as well. They often had
their names engraved on the rings. It is often worn as a pendant in the form
of ellipse. If you travel to Egypt you will find “Head of Nefertiti” pendants as
a souvenir that is very much popular among tourists from all over the world.
Also available there are artistic reproductions of ancient works of art. They
are available for you from $10 to $250 depending on the size and
craftsmanship of the artisans.
Various pendants with Scarabs and other crystals are also available at your
discretion and enjoy. Pendants with Cleopatra, the splendid mixture of
ancient and present-day culture, are also displayed for the tourists to buy.
If you want to purchase some jewels for your collection you’d better consider
some of the Egyptian handicrafts and you’d not loose.