Jewellery comprises ornamental objects worn by persons, often made with gemstones and precious metals. Costume jewellery is often made from less valuable materials. However, jewellery can and has been made of almost every kind of material.
The word is derived from "jewel", which was anglicised from the Old French "jouel" in around the 13th century. Further tracing leads back to the Latin word "jocale", meaning plaything.
Some cultures have a practice of keeping large amounts of wealth stored in the form of jewellery. Jewellery can also be symbolic, as in the case of Christians wearing a crucifix in the form of jewellery, or, as is the case in many Western cultures, married people wearing a wedding ring.
Jewellery in many forms has been made and worn by both sexes throughout the ages in different cultures.
Jewellery, particularly when made with precious materials, is generally considered valuable and desirable. A variety of precious gemstones, coins or other precious items can be used, often set into precious metals.
Common gemstones that are used include diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds, and opals. Dozens more are also commonly used.
Other commonly used materials include glass, such as fused glass or
enamel; wood, often carved or turned; shells and other natural animal
substances such as bone and ivory; and natural clay and plasticine clays,
such as polymer clay.
In the British American tradition, an engagement ring is a ring worn
by a woman on her left hand ring finger indicating her engagement to
be married. By modern convention, the ring is usually presented as a
betrothal gift by a man to his prospective bride while or directly after
she accepts his marriage proposal. It represents a formal agreement
to future marriage.
A wedding ring or wedding band consists of a precious metal ring, usually worn on the base of the left ring finger the fourth finger of the left hand. In some parts of the world, it is worn on the right ring finger. Such a ring symbolizes marriage: a spouse wears it to indicate a marital commitment to fidelity.
Bling-bling is a hip hop slang term which refers to expensive jewelry and other accoutrements. According to the Urban Dictionary, the term originated as Jamaican slang referring to the onomatopoeic "sound" produced in animated cartoons when light reflects off a diamond.
Beckham can wear a ring while strutting his stuff for Real Madrid.
Fifa law four, states that wearing or taping of jewellery is not allowed, is routinely ignored by the governors of some of the world's best leagues. Such as Beckham who often shows off expensive stuff.
In 2003 Nicole Kidman wore a 195 carat green diamond necklace from Bulgari and brought them back into the fashion limelight.
In 2006 Posh spice wife of soccer star Beckham blew more than £59,000
in a New York jeweller's - in less than half an hour.
Posh Spice splashed the cash on items for herself and her husband 'like
it was nothing', said store staff.
The spree even stunned staff at the shop who are used to dealing with big spenders.
Jewel is the name of a famous country and western female singer who is in acting too.
Origin of the surname Jewel
An ancient name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of emigration that followed the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The name comes from the baptismal name Joel. The surname Jewel referred to the son of Joel which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from places. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the Fourteenth century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versons. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.
Spelling variations include: Jewell, Jewall, Jule, Joel, Jouel and
others.
First found in Wiltshire where they were seated from very ancient times,
some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William
at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Foreign terms for Jewellery
Smykke= Danish
Schmuck = German
Joaillerie = French
Joalheria = Portugal
Juvelo = Espernato
Jewellery = Swedish
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