| Gold jewelry has a rich and complicated history. | | | | live spirit that would drive one insane or induce one to |
| Bloodshed has occurred in many cultures, civilizations | | | | murder. North Africans considered gold to be effective |
| and countries over ownership and trade of gold and | | | | in warding off the evil eye and created objects and |
| gold jewelry. In most modern cultures, a lineage the role | | | | jewelry for the local chiefs to use these gold treasures |
| of gold jewelry plays in societies can be traced back | | | | in ceremonial rites. |
| to ancient times. The earliest civilizations of | | | | In 16th century India to modern times, gold has been |
| Mesopotamia developed uses for gold in adorning | | | | considered to have magical properties and offer |
| Kings and Queens and lining royal tombs with gold and | | | | protection, to cleanse and to purify anything it touches, |
| jewels for protection and status in the afterlife. In | | | | subsequently worn against the skin at all times. Gold |
| Pre-Columbian American civilizations, the Mayans, | | | | has been used in Indian ceremonial wedding |
| Incans and Aztecs developed sophisticated jewelry | | | | adornments. In the Bible, gold is referenced for its value |
| making techniques and believed gold was, like the sun, | | | | and demonstrates the worth of man's relationship to |
| meant to be worshipped and reserved for high ranking | | | | God. The Bible also mentions a reward of a gold |
| individuals and ritualistic uses. | | | | necklace being given to Joseph from the Pharoah as |
| The Incas sometimes sacrificed gold-adorned victims | | | | symbolic of authority. Rebekah is bedecked by |
| to the Sun-God in ritualistic ceremonies. The Mayans | | | | Abraham with a gold nose ring and gold bracelets to |
| were also known for their ritualistic human sacrifice by | | | | embellish her beauty for her marriage to Isaac. In |
| decapitation and cast gold bat shaped knife pendants | | | | Ancient China during the Age of Division (Bronze Age), |
| were used to facilitate this ceremony. Examples of | | | | Emperor Hu the Tiger extravagantly decorated his |
| ancient gold jewelry is found, with the exception of | | | | female soldiers with sable furs and gold rings. In Sicily, |
| Japan, to have had extraordinary value within societies. | | | | gold is considered bad luck for brides to wear gold |
| In Grecian times, gold jewelry was used to bribe the | | | | jewelry until the wedding ring is fitted to her finger on |
| gods through extravagant offerings and placed at the | | | | the wedding day. |
| feet of temple statues. | | | | Today, gold jewelry is mass-produced but the demand |
| Christopher Columbus, on his quest for India, uttered | | | | and zeal people have for it continues to mirror its |
| 'Where is the gold?' as his first words on the shores of | | | | covetousness of ancient times. Since new deposits of |
| North America. Upon Cortez's invasion of South | | | | gold were discovered during the Italian Renaissance |
| America, he captured massive amounts of gold from | | | | and goldsmiths were patronized by the wealthy, Italy |
| the Incas and plundered their stashes of beautiful gold | | | | has endured its position as a leader in gold jewelry |
| jewelry. The West Africans feared gold, believing it to | | | | manufacturing and industry. |
| have supernatural powers and an evil and dangerous | | | | |