The appreciation of beauty and the desire for adornment are intrinsic to our human nature, and the history of jewelry is a long one. Carved ivory bracelets dating from the Paleolithic era have been found, suggesting that before there was written language, agriculture or settled communities there was jewelry.
In every era since then, jewelry has reflected the society that created it. It has been used for trade, to seek favor from the gods, as a symbol of royalty and as a sign of wealth. Its aesthetics, too, have reflected its origins: from the bold motifs on the warrior jewelry of the Masai tribe to the Christian symbols on European jewelry dating from the Middle Ages.
The present era of fine jewelry - characterized by jewelry made of gold, platinum and gems, and available in a variety of styles and price ranges - dates from the mid-19th century. The predominant styles of jewelry since then conform to the general artistic movement of their times.
Designs reflect a wide range of influences, borrow freely from all the eras previously, and reflect the individualism of both the jewelry's designer and its wearer.