Most of us have come to accept that jewellery is the sole preserve of women, but it is not so. Men and jewellery can be traced back to ancient times when cave men used bones to make necklaces and bracelets.
For centuries, the wearing of diamonds and jewellery remained the exclusive privilege of the clergy around the world. In India, for instance, men’s jewellery was set with diamonds, the colours being bound to the cast system: Brahmins, the priests, were the only ones allowed to possess white diamonds. Red diamonds (probably not real diamonds, but rather spinnels) were dedicated to Kshatriya, the various warriors and the knights. Then came the Vaica, landlords and merchants who would be allowed to wear yellow diamonds. Finally came the Cudra, labourers and artisans who would acquire grey or black diamonds if they could afford them.
For centuries, the wearing of diamonds and jewellery remained the exclusive privilege of the clergy around the world. In India, for instance, men’s jewellery was set with diamonds, the colours being bound to the cast system: Brahmins, the priests, were the only ones allowed to possess white diamonds. Red diamonds (probably not real diamonds, but rather spinnels) were dedicated to Kshatriya, the various warriors and the knights. Then came the Vaica, landlords and merchants who would be allowed to wear yellow diamonds. Finally came the Cudra, labourers and artisans who would acquire grey or black diamonds if they could afford them.
Mien Hill Tribe - Thailand
Kings and noblemen have always been very fond of jewellery. Apart from rings (and seal rings for instance), many objects, including swords and daggers were designed and decorated as regular pieces of jewellery. Today, daggers are not worn in our culture and these ornaments (and weapons) were replaced at the beginning of the 1900’s basically by the wrist watch as timekeeping started to become more important.
It was Fredric Boucheron who realised that by using the new escarpment system, it was possible to manufacture small flat watches. Whilst the rest of the world was discovering the “portable watch”, Boucheron pushed the idea one step further, by creating “jewel watches”.
Before World War II, the only jewellery that modern men regularly wore was cufflinks, wedding bands, tie-pins and watches. It was only after the end of World War II that the trend for men to wear chains, bracelets, earrings etc was reintroduced.
Nowadays, jewellery for men is like after shave, it has become part of every day life.
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It was Fredric Boucheron who realised that by using the new escarpment system, it was possible to manufacture small flat watches. Whilst the rest of the world was discovering the “portable watch”, Boucheron pushed the idea one step further, by creating “jewel watches”.
Before World War II, the only jewellery that modern men regularly wore was cufflinks, wedding bands, tie-pins and watches. It was only after the end of World War II that the trend for men to wear chains, bracelets, earrings etc was reintroduced.
Nowadays, jewellery for men is like after shave, it has become part of every day life.
Copyright
This article remains the copyright of Rarity4u and has been produced for educational purposes only and cannot be copied, reprinted or redistributed for commercial purposes or gain. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from Rarity4u.
If you would like to reprint, or quote all or part of this article, please send your request by e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Copyright © Rarity4u All rights reserved
