Jewelry, also spelled jewellery in British English, refers to decorative items worn for personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and cufflinks. It can be made from a wide range of materials including gemstones, precious metals, beads, shells, and enamel. Jewelry has been used in various cultures as a status symbol, for its material properties, patterns, or meaningful symbols. It can be worn on almost every body part and has evolved from purely functional items to decorative pieces. The word "jewelry" is derived from the Old French "jouel" and the Latin word "jocale," meaning plaything. In American English, it is spelled "jewelry," while in British English, it is spelled "jewellery".
Jewelry can symbolize group membership or status, and it has been worn as a sign of social rank and as a talisman to avert evil and bring good luck. Throughout history, various materials have been used for the manufacture of jewelry, including metals like gold and silver, as well as mammoths tusks, amber, and lignite. Silver, for example, was often used in jewelry for economic reasons or to obtain chromatic effects. Jewelry is a form of personal adornment prized for the craftsmanship going into its creation and the value of its components.
In summary, jewelry encompasses a wide variety of decorative items worn for personal adornment, made from diverse materials, and carrying cultural and symbolic significance across different societies and time periods.
