Jewellery masterpieces

Dashi Namdakov

#jewelleryfacts365 100/365 Aztec jewelry

There were strict rules about who could wear what in the Aztec culture. According to ancient sources, only the Aztec ruler and great lords could wear lip plugs, ear plugs and nose ornaments of gold and valued stones such as turquoise and jade. You didn’t want to get caught by the fashion police because punishment could be harsh.

Aztec nose ornament

Party nails

Lovely nail design by Roza!

#jewelleryfacts365 99/365 Emerald fact

The first known emerald mines were in Egypt, dating from at least 330 BC into the 1700s. Cleopatra was known to have a passion for emerald, and used it in her royal adornments. (source)

Ancient Egyptian emerald necklace

Monday motivation

#jewelleryfacts365 98/365 Emerald fact

In the Peruvian city of Manta, about the time of the Spanish Conquest, an emerald the size of an ostrich egg was worshipped and adored as a goddess, bearing the name of Umina. The emerald was only brought out and worshipped on high feast days and, according to her priests, the best way to honor the ‘mother emerald’ was to bring smaller emeralds, or ‘daughters’, to her.(source)

A fine emerald in matrix from Chivor, Colombia

#jewelleryfacts365 97/365 Emerald fact

The emerald has long been known as the jewel of Kings, its rarity and beauty lending itself well to possession by royalty. As a talisman, it was said to have the ability to sharpen the wits, confer riches and power and to predict future events. It was also thought to strengthen the memory, which is a form of wit sharpening, and to enable the wearer to become an eloquent speaker, a kingly gift indeed. (source)

The world’s largest cut emerald

Bead Day

Linda Fifield

Jewellery masterpieces

Jewelled insect from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 2008 exhibition at the Torf Gallery 'Imperishable Beauty: Art Nouveau Jewelry'

#jewelleryfacts365 96/365 Diamond fact

To hide a yellowish tint in a diamond it is usually set in yellow gold. A diamond with grayish tint (or no tint at all) is set in white gold or platinum.