
History of silver jewelry and its evolution through the ages
Discoveries and studies have shown that humans have worn various types of jewelry throughout the ages and their long history, which indicates that they are indicative of something inherent in the human psyche towards wearing adornment, especially among women, and this does not exclude the rich and the poor, the urban and the nomadic.
The history of silver
The history of silver extends back thousands of years, as ancient inscriptions and monuments show that this precious metal has been used in ancient civilizations and has been used. Here, we put in your hands some of the main and important milestones in the history of silver.
Silver in antiquity
This is the earliest period when silver was used. It was used by the Sumerians, ancient Egyptians, Romans, and even the Greeks. It was used to make jewelry, coins, and some tools
Silver in the Middle Ages
In this era, silver played an important role in coinage and trade. The London market is the oldest silver market in the world, which has been selling bullion since the Middle Ages. The discovery and settlement of America led to the discovery of several silver mines in Mexico, Nevada, and Bolivia, and this led to an increase in silver production.
Silver in the modern era
In modern times, the uses of silver have evolved dramatically to include many fields such as medical equipment, technological industries, and electronics. Today, silver is also used in making many devices and equipment such as optical disks, solar cells, and others.
Thus, the history of silver is full of many developments and uses, and this precious metal still plays a key role in many industries to this day.
Silver in Ancient Egypt and Greece
In ancient Egypt, silver was considered a precious metal, rare and exotic, as silver jewelry of all kinds was reserved only for kings and queens. The pharaohs had to work hard to obtain Afghan lapis lazuli, and this is how they were able to obtain silver. Silver was considered more precious and rarer than gold, which could be found in the Egyptian mountains and deserts. By 1600 BC, the value of silver had fallen to half the value of gold because it was so plentiful that it was used as an abstract currency with a fixed value.
For the Greek and Roman societies, silver was extremely important and they used it to make their currencies.
The Phoenicians played a key role in the development of Mediterranean civilizations through their colonization and trade that linked them to the entire region. The Phoenicians began exploiting Spanish silver deposits, which they then distributed around the world, resulting in a massive availability of silver, which rose to unprecedented levels.
In 800 AD, the Vikings invaded the northwestern coast of Europe and transported huge quantities of silver to Scandinavia, leading to a boom in silver jewelry, which became as plentiful as it was traditional.
Silver after the Industrial Revolution
The expansion of the Victorian middle class and the construction of factories contributed significantly to the demand for jewelry and the technological tools needed to better support its manufacture, making the Industrial Revolution a pivotal time in the history of silver jewelry.
The jewelry market quickly took off, and at the time, sterling silver which, as we now know, contained roughly 92.5% pure silver and was the material used as a standard in jewelry.
For the popular designs of that era, silver was a precious metal and a sign of luxury for the upper class. That's why silver jewelry always contained gemstones and pearls. By the twentieth century, silver's popularity declined at the expense of other metals such as gold and platinum.
However, in a short time, silver was able to regain its position. The mid-20th century saw a major revolution in silver jewelry trends, with bright colors and more intricate designs.
Silver jewelry in the 21st century
Silver is still the most popular metal in many industries and continues to lead the jewelry business in the twenty-first century, especially when it comes to mass-produced jewelry. Mass-produced, contemporary objects lack the unique appeal and quality of customized antiques.