Archaeologists believe that the necklace was born during the Stone Age some 40,000 years earlier than previously believed. In April 2004, scientists were excavating a cave in South Africa and discovered forty-one mollusks that may have been worn like jewelry around the neck some 75,000 years ago.
Before this discovery, the oldest known necklace was found around 30,000 BC. C. They are made mainly of shells, bones, stones, teeth or claws of animals, strung on a thread. Basically the same concept is used today, although there are some variations.
In 2500 BC C., gold began to be used in jewelry for the neck. Gold neck ornaments and chokers have been discovered in the Royal Tomb of Ur. They are in what is now known as Iraq. The year 2000 a. C. was when Sumerian beaded neck jewelry began to use alternating patterns of colored stones and gemstones and metals such as copper or silver.
Ancient Egyptian neck jewelry evolved from simple strung beads to complicated patterns and includes the ‘wide neck’ and pectoral type. They were worn by both sexes, mostly royals and wealthy citizens. They were often buried with their dead owners.
During the classical Greek period, approximately between 480 and 300 a. C., most necklaces were three-dimensional pendants. They were mostly in the form of heads, seeds or acorns. They were suspended from a row of flat elements, usually some kind of rosettes.
Alexander the Great in 356 – 323 BC conquered the East. Gold was abundant throughout the Greek Empire. It was often used in the manufacture of necklaces and other types of jewelry for several centuries.
In Ancient Rome, wearing jewelry was frowned upon. Laws regulated how much gold women could carry or bury with the dead. From about the first century onwards, Roman jewelry began to distinguish itself. Gemstones came into use and were usually cut into circles or rectangular shapes.
At the end of the 2nd century, gold drilling techniques were invented. It produced a lace-like quality in gold neck jewelry. The favorite style of the time was a chain of different colored gemstones connected by gold links.
In the second and third centuries it became popular to wear several necklaces at the same time. The types of neck jewelry sometimes indicated the wearer’s level of wealth or class. Necklaces were very popular in whatever shape they could be made. During the following centuries, the popularity of wearing necklaces decreased significantly. At the end of the 14th century, necklaces began to regain their popularity due to the neckline fashion.
However, since then, the necklaces are very popular among all classes. A favorite gift from children to their mothers is the famous or infamous macaroni necklace. What mother doesn’t love such a gift from the heart? They are precious not in gemstones or gold, but in sentiment and heart value.
Necklaces are now worn for a variety of reasons, including personal adornment. Many people wear medals that have religious significance, such as those with images of saints or Jesus Christ. Many carry a simple cross, while others carry a Crucifix, which is a cross on which the image of the body of Christ is attached. It stands to reason that necklaces have been and will continue to be a piece of jewelry that is completely versatile in its design and wearer’s intent.