Archaeologists believe that the necklace was born during the stone age some 40,000 years earlier than previously believed. In April 2004, scientists were excavating a cave in South Africa and discovered forty-one mollusks that may have been strung as neck jewelry some 75,000 years ago.
Before this discovery, the oldest known necklace had been found around 30,000 BC. They are made mainly of shells, bones, stones, teeth or claws of animals, strung on a thread. Basically the same concept is used today, although there are some variations.
In 2500 a. C., gold began to be used in jewelry for the neck. Gold necklaces and chokers have been discovered in the Royal Tomb of Ur. They are found in what is now known as Iraq. 2000 BC was when Sumerian beaded neck jewelry began using alternating patterns of colored stones and gemstones and metals such as copper or silver.
Ancient Egyptian neck jewelry evolved from simple string beads to intricate patterns and includes the ‘wide neck’ and pectoral type. They were worn by both sexes, mostly royals and wealthy citizens. They were often buried with their owners dead.
During the classical Greek period, from about 480 to 300 BC. C., most of the necklaces were three-dimensional. Most were shaped like heads, seeds, or acorns. They were suspended from a row of flat elements, usually some kind of rosettes.
Alexander the Great in 356 – 323 BC. C. conquered the East. Gold was abundant throughout the Greek Empire. It was often used in the making of necklaces and other types of jewelry for several centuries.
In Ancient Rome, the wearing of jewelry was frowned upon. Laws regulated the amount of gold that women could use or bury along with the dead. From about the 1st century onwards, Roman jewelry began to distinguish itself. Gemstones began to be used and were generally cut into circles or rectangular shapes.
At the end of the 2nd century, gold drilling techniques were invented. It produced a quality of lace in gold neck jewelry. The favorite style of the time was a chain of different colored gemstones connected by gold links.
In the second and third century the use of multiple necklaces at the same time became popular. The types of neck jewelry sometimes indicated the level of wealth or social class of the wearer. Necklaces were very popular in whatever way they could be made. Over the next several centuries, the popularity of wearing necklaces declined significantly. At the end of the 14th century, necklaces began to regain their popularity due to the cleavage of fashions.
Since then, however, necklaces have been very popular with all classes. A favorite gift of children to their mothers is the famous or infamous macaroni necklace. What mother doesn’t love such a gift from the heart? They are not precious in precious stones or in gold, but in sentiment and value of the heart.
Necklaces are now worn for a variety of reasons, including personal adornment. Many people wear medals that are important from a religious point of view, such as those with images of the saints or Jesus Christ. Many carry a simple cross, while others will carry a crucifix, which is a cross on which the image of the body of Christ is attached. It is logical that it can be said that necklaces have been and will continue to be a piece of jewelry that is completely versatile in its design and in the intention of the user.