Jewelry

Jewelry, ornaments worn by people to enhance their physical appearance, to display wealth, or to follow custom. Bracelets, rings, necklaces, and earrings are the most common types of jewelry. Made from precious metals such as gold and silver, colorful polished stones (gems), or other attractive natural materials, jewelry is an art form that has existed since earliest times. Ancient peoples wore jewelry made from such materials as feathers, shells, and teeth before they wore clothes. Jewelry found at the sites of early civilizations can yield clues to the technological development of ancient cultures.