Power of Jewellery and Personality

Such is the power of jewellery and personality. Physical ornaments such as jewellery enhance beauty. It is mostly women who wear all sorts of jewellery. But there was a time when men had much use for jewellery, especially high-ranking officials during the Roman times. Most of the jewellery worn by men during that time served practical purposes. Brooches held garments in place and/or served as badges or insignia.

Jewellery was not only worn. Swords of officers have precious stones embedded into the handgrip, pommel and guard. Some officers even had designs or inscriptions on the blade, in itself like a jewel to the footman. Towards the end of the Roman rule, leaders were becoming complacent and developed a higher inclination to pomp where men equalled women in showing off jewellery as a mark of wealth and position.

Fondness of precious metals and stones continued even beyond the reaches of the debauched Roman Empire. Even until today, this weakness to jewellery afflicts women of all stature and men are right behind them in admiration and appreciation of the glitters. But men are more subtle in use of jewellery, confined to the low-tone and practical belt buckles, studded rings, chokers and necklaces, wristwatches, and the like.

The youth, though, along with even middle-aged male celebrities of today have gone on to flaunt earrings that were in days past only worn by women. The only exceptions in the male then were pirates and slaves wearing large simple circular earrings which served as a sort or symbolic mark of “profession” or stature.

Over the years, there were craftsmen and tradesmen who specialised in the design, manufacture and trading of precious metals and stones. Diamond cutting and grading/identification, for example, are done only by experts in the trade who know the true value of the precious stone. Cutting the stone in a particular way using methods that are perfected over years of experience and practice optimizes the precious stone’s value.

Goldsmiths belong to a different guild and are authorities in gold in terms of design, grade and kind. Artful design, with or without precious stones, enhances the value of gold and some have established brands that have become institutions in the business. There is an added value to the name brand itself and people who wear creations by and from these institutions flaunt the name brand as it signifies wealth. Being able to afford just a single piece from these institutions already commands awe and respect from colleagues, fans and friends.

Related Posts
[cptr]