Jewellery in the Middle Ages
Posted on 31st December 2020
In the early medieval period, only the wealthy could afford to wear jewellery as it was made mainly from gold and silver, but as time passed and trade improved other cheaper alternatives were available including copper and pewter.
During the middle ages men often wore as much jewellery as women, the same of which is worn today including:
Rings
Necklaces and Collars
Bracelets
Brooches
Hair Combs
Other jewellery made to adorn clothing included:
Buckles
Buttons
Pins
Belts
In early middle age, jewellery was engraved with patterns, but later jewellery was inlaid with jewels.
Many precious and semi-precious stones were used including:
Sapphires: The most sought-after stones in the early middle ages.
Pearls
Emeralds
Rubies: The most sought-after stone in the middle period.
Diamonds: The most sought-after stone in the later middle ages.
Mother of Pearl
Turquoise
Amethyst
Amber
Cheaper glass stones were available to the poor.
Everything in the middle ages was used to show off an individual’s social standing, with jewellery being no exception. The more highly polished and larger the stone, the more it had cost, the wealthier the person wearing it.
Some gems were believed to have special powers. A knight would wear them to protect him in battle.
Tagged as: Junior Middle Ages
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