History

• Egyptian jewelry has been in existence for over 3,000 years. The most popular pieces were made during the Middle Kingdom, but the Egyptians made jewelry since the beginning of their civilization. The first jewelry was made from natural stone and wood until sculptors gravitated toward using bones and branches. Eventually, the Egyptians graduated to painting their jewelry and using gold.
  
  

Identification

• The jewelry of ancient Egypt was worn by both men and women. It was used for decorative adornments and religious significance. The Egyptians would not alter their gems for any reason as they considered it to be undesirable to make any changes. Jewelry makers used glass in place of precious and semi-precious stones because the gems were hard to cut and mold into any type of form. Artists became proficient in fakes, which were sold to the lower classes. Egyptians even placed the stones on objects such as bricks, for decorative and religious purposes.
  
  

Function

• Turquoise, lapiz lazuli, jasper, carnelian, malachite and amazonite were considered spiritual and beautiful stones that were in demand. Turquoise is a green/blue stone that, to ancient Egyptians, represented joy and life. Lapiz lazuli stood for life. Jasper was held in high regard due to its association with the goddess Isis's fire and blood. It also was believed to cure infertility in women. Malachite was linked to the goddess Hathor and was believed to contain healing qualities. Carnelian was used to relieve back pain and also stood for the blood of life. Amazonite's special properties were luck and fertility.
  
  Ancient Egyptian jewelry was also buried with their dead, and the people of Egypt would pick out what to place in their tomb when they were young, up until their death.
  
  

Significance

• Every color and metal in ancient Egypt had a religious or mythological association. Most of the materials used for jewelry making were found in Egypt with the exception of a few, such as lapiz lazuli, which came from Afghanistan. Gold became popular with pharaohs and other high-ranking officials, and they demanded that it be placed in their tombs. It was also considered to be the "skin of the gods."
  
  

Misconceptions

• Today, many think that emerald had special powers attributed to it in ancient Egypt. This is untrue. The stone was made and bought only because of its availability and beauty and for its use by the royal court.