J is for Jewellery



Jewellery was worn for many reasons in ancient Egypt, and used for different purposes.

- Some jewellery was made for religious reasons, for example gems carved in the shape of scarab beetles, symbolising rebirth.
Taken from here
- Both men and women would wear jewellery, as a projection of wealth and also as a protection from evil.

- Gold and bronze were the metals most used in ancient Egyptian jewellery.

- Soft gems were also used for jewellery in ancient Egyptian times. These included lapis lazuli, malachite, turquoise, quartz and jasper. Royalty was represented by the colour blue, which made lapis one of the most prized gemstones.

- The colour of jewellery was also important to the ancient Egyptians, as different colours meant different things. Green symbolised fertility, and red was worn by the dead.

- Some items of jewellery worn by ancient Egyptians were unique to them, such as the pectoral, an ornamental item found on many mummies.

- The deceased would be buried with all of their earthly possessions, but many ancient Egyptian tombs were targeted by tomb-robbers, leaving little behind.

Comments

  1. Tasha Duncan-Drake11 April 2014 at 11:03

    It's such a shame so many of the tombs were robbed because it's hard to tell what was common and what extraordinary because half of it is gone. Whenever I think scarab I always thing of those jewelled scarabs from The Mummy that break open and a real scarab attacks the holder :).
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
    FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)

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  2. Hilary Melton-Butcher11 April 2014 at 11:47

    Hi Laura .. good to meet you via Alex .. Jewellery through the ages has always shown us how the ancients lived .. and now we're able to research and evaluate more as the technology is constantly improving ... sadly with the world as it is - we're also losing much ...

    All the best and well done on that creative writing degree - must have been so interesting and challenging .. cheers Hilary

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  3. Alex J. Cavanaugh11 April 2014 at 11:55

    So if you saw someone walking around covered in red jewelry, time to panic?
    Be sure to stop by today, Laura!

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  4. Rob Z Tobor11 April 2014 at 12:02

    They did like their scarab beetles

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  5. Cathrina Constantine11 April 2014 at 12:14

    We all like our jewelry from Ancient Times to Now....

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  6. Frankie Miller11 April 2014 at 12:54

    I've always found anything ancient interesting. You have a great theme for A-Z, Laura.
    It's amazing how a piece of jewellery resembling a scarab beetle should be prized, but then we do have jewellery resembling certain insects today. I like dragonflies.
    I found you on Alex's blog today.

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  7. Julie Flanders11 April 2014 at 14:22

    I hate insects so much I could never handle the beetle jewelry LOL.

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  8. S. L. Hennessy11 April 2014 at 14:48

    I like the cultural idea that jewelry can keep away evil. We see it all the time, and it's fascinating.

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  9. Tyrean Martinson11 April 2014 at 15:22

    Have you seen the Tut (can't spell it all so I'll stop there) exhibit? It's amazing to see the jewelry in that. I think the scarab jewelry was ruined for me when I saw The Mummy movie. I'm more of a fan of dragonflies and butterflies like Fanny mentioned. And blue should definitely be the color of royalty. :)

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  10. Andrew Leon11 April 2014 at 15:22

    All I see is turtle...

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  11. Jennifer Hawes11 April 2014 at 15:31

    I taught ancient Egypt to fifth graders. The abundance of cool and gross facts makes it the best history unit ever:)

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  12. SK Anthony11 April 2014 at 15:41

    Jewelry for religious reasons, tell that to the fashionistas of the world...lol
    Interesting that red was for the dead...wonder if it had to do with the blood color?

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  13. Crystal Collier11 April 2014 at 16:04

    Awesome. I had no idea red was a color worn by the dead. There's so much symbolism in color, and while I've researched it to death, you smacked me with a few new details. Thanks for that!

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  14. cleemckenzie11 April 2014 at 16:06

    Some of their jewels were stunning. I love those Usekh with hammered gold, especially the ones with the deep blue stone, which I can't remember the name of at the moment. Too much alphabet soup this month, I guess. :-)

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  15. L.G. Keltner11 April 2014 at 16:19

    Blue is my favorite color, so does that make me royalty?

    Another interesting and informative post!

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  16. Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes11 April 2014 at 16:48

    I love jewelry and did not know the symbolism of the scarab. Thanks so much for sharing.!

    Mary Montague Sikes

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  17. Bish Denham11 April 2014 at 17:23

    I have always been fond of scarabs as they remind me of Junebugs and I love Junebugs. If I had a scarab, I'd wear it.

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  18. Chrys Fey11 April 2014 at 17:25

    Egyptians had such interesting and beautiful jewelry. I didn't know scarab beetles symbolized rebirth. Now I get it! lol

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  19. Michael Di Gesu11 April 2014 at 18:27

    HI, Laura,

    Jewelry certainly was important to the ancient Egyptians as well as all of us today. I personally love designing rings. I've had several of them come to life and it is very exciting to see the finished pieces.

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  20. Kyra Lennon11 April 2014 at 18:50

    I used to have a scarab beetle-shaped brooch, I have no idea what happened to it though!

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  21. Chancelet11 April 2014 at 19:42

    So, jewelry isn't just for making you look pretty? :) Nice post. Checking you out on Alex's blog. Writer’s Mark

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  22. Kate Larkindale11 April 2014 at 20:03

    I love Egyptian jewelry. When I used to make it,I made a gorgeous upper-arm bracelet that was inspired by something Egyptian I saw in a museum. Unfortunately I don't have a light touch and wearing the bracelet was torture because it was so heavy....

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  23. Lisa11 April 2014 at 21:51

    I think ancient Egyptian jewelry is some of the most beautiful there is. I also adore Celtic jewelry as well. Thanks for an interesting post! Happy #atozchallenge2014

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  24. Bonnie Gwyn11 April 2014 at 23:24

    Hehe I definitely need to get myself more red jewelry ... ;) Great post! Stopping in from A-Z :) Good luck!
    http://bonniegwyn.blogspot.com/

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  25. B~Natrelle12 April 2014 at 03:33

    Hello there. Jewellry was very popular in Biblical times too. The gold and silver were a lot purer than they are today. In fact, wealth was partially measured by one'd possessions of precious stones. Kings Solomon and Hezekiah had them in vast quantities. (2 Chronicles 32:27) Precious stones are also used in the Bible to symbolize heavenly or spiritual qualities. The glory of Jehovah God Himself is likened to the dazzling beauty of gemstones. (Revelation 4:1-3, 6, 9-11) Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the challenge!
    Entrepreneurial Goddess

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  26. Anonymous12 April 2014 at 04:02

    Oh, I love lapis! Never knew what it meant to the Egyptians. Fascinating details:)

    WriterlySam
    Echoes of Olympus
    A to Z #TeamDamyanti

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  27. Sara C. Snider12 April 2014 at 09:27

    I didn't know jewelry was used as a protection from evil, or about the different colors having significance. That's pretty cool. I love learning new things. :)

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  28. Sophie Duncan12 April 2014 at 20:34

    I never knew colours were significant. So red jewellery was for the dead. Very interesting - thanks.
    Sophie
    Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles - A to Z Ghosts
    Fantasy Boys XXX - A to Z Drabblerotic

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  29. Bevimus14 April 2014 at 16:19

    I never knew the scarab beetle represented rebirth- makes sense that it would be used in so many tombs.

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  30. Nana Prah14 April 2014 at 21:37

    My J was for jewelry too. It's to bad the people couldn't figure out that the tombs would be raided. That was a lot of temptation to leave behind.
    Nana Prah

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