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Beaded Jewelry

The first adornments attached to the human body were beaded jewelry. Those beads were often organic materials and found objects, such as sea and snail shells and animal bones and teeth. These were often threaded with the sinew of animals. Some of the first metal jewelry was made with gold because of how soft it is. The oldest piece of gold jewelry found in South America is a beaded necklace with turquoise inlays. Perforated beads made from snail shells have been found dating to 75,000 years ago at Blombos Cave in South Africa.

Beaded jewelry has been made by every culture, and continues to be a dominant part of fashion today. Handmade beaded necklaces and bracelets are popular items all around the world, and making them is done as a profession for many people, and as a hobby for many more. Some popular materials to make beads out of are pearls, wood, glass, precious metals and stones and shells and bones are still just as popular as ever. Flowers can be turned into beautiful beads, even though they may not last long they are still the inspiration for many bead and jewelry designs.

Modern beaded jewelry is worn as necklaces, bracelets, anklets and in many other variations. The size of beads varies from the size of a seed to beads that can get as large as a fist. Smaller “seed beads” are often arranged with multiple strands and colors to create a larger piece that shimmers like its made from thousands of precious stones. Larger beads are often grouped with other beads of various sizes to create a chunky effect that is very popular.

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