---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Necklace’s History

Some archeologists argue that the necklace is a 75,000 year old adornment for humans. Early prehistory necklaces were made of beads, teeth, bones, animal claws, and many other valuable things. From tombs around the world, many were buried with necklaces for sacred reasons. By 2500 BCE, golden necklaces were becoming popular. At the Royal Grave of Ur (present-day Iraq), a gold choker was found around the body.

In Sumer, beaded necklaces altered silver and other precious gems and colored stones. Necklaces began to take on fashion as well as status symbols throughout history. During the Holy Roman Empire, and into the Medieval period, crucifixes and rosaries were worn for sacred reasons. In contemporary times, necklaces are popular among women and men for most any reason.

Classification of Necklaces

Necklaces fall under a classification, which is based on length (longer): Cross necklace (can be any length), Choker (35 cm to 41 cm), Princess Necklace (45 cm to 50 cm), Matinee Necklace (56 cm to 58 cm), Opera Necklace (75 cm to 90 cm), Sautoir or Rope Necklace (any necklace longer than an opera necklace), and, lastly, the longest, the Lariat Necklace (worn lasso style around the neck).

The Symbol of Silver

Discovered with copper, lead, and gold during the same period in prehistory, silver was originally compared to the perfection of gold. Silver’s half-crescent was reminiscent and symbolic of the moon. Shortly thereafter, silver became coinage and jewelry.

Silver’s Danger

Silver and lead are part of the same ore. Miners of silver died within three years due to lead poisoning. Free men usually did not mine for silver, but had slaves mine and extract silver from the lead ore.

Sterling Silver Necklaces

Composed of 92.5% silver and, usually, the rest copper, Sterling Silver is the most common and beautiful silver. Fine silver (99.9% silver) is too soft to produce objects and jewelry. Copper gives strength, ductility, and luster to the silver. Sterling Silver necklaces are highly popular, but are most complemented by diamonds, pearls, and other precious stones.