Nowadays, a celebrity stylist might choose a certain
piece of jewelry for her client simply because of how the color looks
with her dress, but in the past there was more significance to the
colored gems women wore.
The individual stones have been believed to do
everything from warding off meddling gods to aiding in fertility. From
the women of the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Rome, to the red
carpet regulars of today, the right stone has long been the perfect
accent for those on the cutting edge of style. Here, a brief history.
The
Egyptians — and later, the Romans — were among the first to celebrate
the power of gemstones. Cleopatra was known for her love of emeralds,
which were believed to possess powers of clairvoyance and to defeat spells and enchantments.
Egyptians were also among the first to discover and use citrine, a light yellow gem that Romans later associated with the sun god, Apollo. (Try wearing citrine jewelry
to cure your winter S.A.D.!) Popular folklore says citrine encourages
individuality and self-confidence, and gives its wearer the courage to
love and enjoy life.
In Ancient China, gems
were paired with animals on the zodiac, the inspiration for the Western
world's use of birthstones (and an endless tradition of adolescent trips to the mall to have ears pierced with bright, shimmering gems).
During
Medieval Times, knights wore peridot, a light green stone, in the
breastplate of their armor because it was believed to have healing
properties and help its wearer admit mistakes and forgive (pretty useful
on the battlefield, but also in our modern day lives.)
During
the Renaissance in Europe, women began to wear sapphires as the
ultimate sign of truth and commitment, making them the go-to for
engagement rings before diamonds became the standard-bearer. When
diamonds over-saturated the market in the 18th and 19th centuries,
prices plummeted and more rare stones — sapphires, rubies, and
emeralds — became the most sought after and prized.
Originally, amethysts were
also thought to be more rare than they are today. In a range of
brilliant purple hues, amethysts were believed to provoke honesty and
bring clarity and calm to the mind. Said to aid its wearer in making
strong business decisions, it was also believed to predict the presence
of poison by becoming dim or changing color. Today amethysts are an
extremely popular stone and associated with 16th wedding anniversaries.
Found completely colorless, in brilliant blue or even in vibrant orange, Topaz
is referenced in biblical texts and gained mass popularity in the 18th
and 19th centuries—believed to have mystic properties that encourage
self-realization and help one discover their own inner riches to
encourage openness and honesty and a fulfilled emotional life.
In
France during the early 1800s, jewelers began fashioning jewelry with
multiple gemstones each representing a letter and spelling out names and
sentiments like friendship and love. At the same time in 19th century
France, the woman who owned or ran an estate or chateau and kept its
history was called a “châtelaine." She occupied a lofty position in
society and often had a cache of extravagant gemstones. This woman is
the inspiration for David Yurman's Châtelaine® Collection of the same
name, which showcases each signature checkerboard-cut gem in a delicate
setting.
During the 20th century, the birth of Hollywood
awards shows created showcases for actresses to accessorize their
designer gowns with colorful, glittering stones.
Today,
colored stones are seeing resurgence in popularity with many
celebrities wearing vintage designs on red carpets and new styles taking
a nod from the colors found in the '60s and '70s-era pieces. The
freshest and most unique jewelry designs are imbued with the bold colors
of the most popular gems.
Wearing colored gems
has always been about experimentation. Now available in an endless
assortment of settings and designs, they can be worn on just about any
occasion. Just take a cue from history.
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