Answer: Semi-permanent necklace
A torc is a solid necklace that was made for wearing permanently or semi-permanently. It was often made of entwined wires of iron, gold, or silver.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Cameo
While cameos are mostly worn as jewelry today, historically they were used as signet rings that would leave an impression in clay or sealing wax. Many times they were an individual's personal seal. They were also popular as large earrings. The subject of the relief was typically a scene from Greek or Roman mythology, or perhaps a profile of an important ruler. Sometimes rulers gave them as gifts to their subjects.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
Answer: Nassarius Snail Shells
Nassarius Snail Shells are thought to be the earliest form of jewellery and were worn as necklaces as far back as 100,000 years ago. Nassarius shells have been found near Grottes de Pigeons in Morocco and in Israel and Algeria. They have also been found as far down as South Africa where they were discovered in the Blombos Cave, on the Southern Cape Coast. It is also speculated that these shells were the earliest known medium of barter.
From Quiz: Jingle Jangle Jewellery
Answer: The location on the arm where it is worn
A bracelet is worn on the wrist, while an arm ring is worn around the bicep on the upper arm. Historically, this piece of jewelry was usually worn by men, but has become popular with women in the past couple of decades. They can be made from almost any metal, but were usually made from silver or gold and often embedded with jewels.
From Quiz: The Secret Life of Beads
Answer: Around the neck
Torcs are made from several strands of metal to form a rigid ring worn around the neck. They are found in many cultures, with examples dating back to the eighth century BC. The ones found at Snettisham, in Norfolk, are of such high quality that it has been suggested they could have belonged to the Iceni, the tribe led by Boudica in a rebellion against the Roman invaders. Other torcs found in the UK include the Sedgeford Torc, uncovered in 1965 and the Newark Torc, found by a metal detector in 2005.
From Quiz: Amazing Adornments
Answer: all
Gimmel or gemmel rings separated into two parts, which the lovers divided, each wearing half. They were joined after the wedding. The first diamond engagement ring known was presented by Archduke Maximillian of Austria (later Emperor Maximillian I) to his intended bride, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477. However, the identification of diamonds with love and betrothal was promoted aggressively and successfully by DeBeers in the 20th century. While the rings bestowed at weddings could be of any material the couple wished, the legal standard for rings sold as "wedding rings" was 22K!
From Quiz: Circles Unbroken: A Ring and a Promise
Answer: Scarab
If you have any doubts regarding the ability of the ancient Egyptians to craft exquisite bracelets, have a look at the 13 bracelets found on King Tut's arms after his mummy was unwrapped. Three of the bracelets were embellished with stones that were elaborately carved scarabs, or dung beetles. The mother dung beetle lays her eggs and encloses them in a ball of dung. After that she rolls the ball of dung across the land until the tiny beetles hatch and eat their way out. The ancient Egyptians believed that the scarab was the force that moved the sun across the sky each day. A symbol of rebirth and renewal, the scarab was used frequently in ancient Egyptian art. And, by the way, four of Tut's bracelets featured another important symbol - the Udjat Eye, or Eye of Ra, which provided great protection.
From Quiz: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Answer: Many colors
Gold can be mixed with many different things to make many colors of gold. For example, copper mixed with gold makes rose gold and silver and cadmium mixed in makes green gold. There are many different mixes to make many different colors of gold including blue, purple, and black.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Bakelite
Bakelite was an early form of plastic that was invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907. Many different objects, such as kitchenware, toys, and jewelry, were made from the material, and are considered to be collectibles today. One of the outstanding characteristics of bakelite is the vibrant color. Be careful not to rub it too hard, though! It will smell kind of like fishy formaldehyde. The smell is one way, however, that it can be determined that the object is the real deal and not just a clever reproduction.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
Answer: Alexandria, Egypt
The first Cameos were found in Alexandria, Egypt and were originally figures carved into rock to record events and information.
After that they were made from the sardonyx or carnelian shell which is divided into two parts and the thicker part is used for cameos. They were then carved with a bullino which was a traditional carving tool and was invented by Italian carvers.
Torre del Greco, a small town in Italy, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, is the most famous for producing cameos and there is still today a large community which hand carve cameos.
From Quiz: Jingle Jangle Jewellery
Answer: Cuff links
Cuff links have been worn for hundreds of years and are used in place of a button and buttonhole to secure the cuffs of long-sleeved dress shirts. They are usually made of silver or gold and can be very fancy and bejeweled, or they can be simple in design. They can be worn by women but have usually been worn by men.
From Quiz: The Secret Life of Beads
Answer: Majorca
The company which produces these pearls was founded at the end of the XIX century, by a German named Eduard Hugo Heusch, in the town of Manacor in Majorca. They are known as Majorica pearls and are the most prestigious man made pearls in the world. Although the details that make these pearls so special are a trade secret, the general process is well known. They start off by producing a dense glass bead, these are coated with approximately 30 layers of a ground up paste made of pulverized fish scales and nacre in order to give them that special shine, lastly they are all hand shined and coated with a gas.
From Quiz: Amazing Adornments
Answer: Cufflink
A cufflink replaces the sleeve button on dress shirts and blouses. The sleeve has one button hole in the usual place and a second one where the button would normally be. The cufflink is then inserted through both holes, pressing the insides of the two layers of fabric together instead of having one go under the other. It typically bears an ornamented plate on the upper side (the one readily visible when you place your arms on the table) and a clasping mechanism on the lower although there are also cufflinks with two decorative sides. Cufflinks almost invariably use a metal base but the top can be anything - expensive specimens even bear a large solitaire ruby, emerald or sapphire.
From Quiz: It Sparkles, It Glitters, It's a...
Answer: none
Roland Phelps, owner of the Gwynfynydd gold mine in Wales, announced in 1999 that gold production could not meet the cost of keeping it in operation. Gold in the form of dust and nuggets is still found in the area, but not concentrated in significant deposits. The royal family has a large nugget; they are not expected to run out soon.
From Quiz: Circles Unbroken: A Ring and a Promise
Answer: Archers
Derived from the Greek "brachile" meaning "of the arm", a bracer is usually made of leather or stone and protects an archer's arm while shooting. Getting hit on the arm with the bowstring can really hurt and cause bruising. A bracer can also be worn in order to keep clothing out of the way. This brings to mind a painted chest that was found in King Tut's tomb by Howard Carter. The decoration on the chest depicts King Tut riding in a chariot shooting birds with a bow and arrow. He is wearing bracers.
From Quiz: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Answer: Hindu
In Hindu practices the wearing of matching silver toe rings by married women is common. They are worn on the second toe beside the big toe. Some older civilizations believed that toe rings helped with menstruation issues.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Choker
The choker is worn above the collarbone, tight around the neck, just like a dog collar. A favorite style in 1900, it is said that Queen Alexandra of Denmark popularized the use of the choker in order to hide a small scar on her neck. Made of many different types of materials, such as gold, leather, or velvet, chokers are still popular today - but be careful! Sometimes they are used to mark certain people. For example, in the late 1800s prostitutes commonly wore red or black chokers.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
Answer: Galway, Ireland
The Claddagh ring which is called that because it is thought to have originated in Claddagh, Galway, Ireland and this design has been used by this community for over 400 years.
One popular version of the origination of this ring is that Richard Joyce, an Irish goldsmith, created the Claddagh ring.
Another version, although it could be a myth, is that Margaret Joyce, known as Margaret of the Bridges, due to the number of bridges she built, was checking up on work on a bridge in 1661 when a gold ring was dropped into her lap by an eagle. The story is that some people believe that this ring could have been the original Claddagh ring.
From Quiz: Jingle Jangle Jewellery
Answer: Neck
A torc was a large decorative metal ring that was worn around the neck. It was a popular piece of jewelry in Scythian, Celtic, and Thracian cultures. The name is derived from the strands of metal that were twisted together to make a rigid neck ring that was made for permanent wear. The ends were decorated with animals, or globes. These old pieces of jewelry can be seen on some artwork depicting ancient Greek and Celtic Gods. They could be made from bronze, silver, iron or gold and varied greatly in how elaborate they were. Removal was very difficult once the torc was on and most remained on the wearer for life.
From Quiz: The Secret Life of Beads
Answer: "Because maidens were so married in the old days."
Mary was 42 years old when she married Philip II of Spain. He was a Roman Catholic and Mary wanted to restore the throne of England to a Catholic dynasty; he was also a handsome man and Mary fell in love with him. Unfortunately, once it became obvious Mary could not have children, he had no further interest in her and left her to return to Spain."Bloody Mary" was the last English monarch to openly profess Catholicism. She is remembered for cruel persecution, but her private life perhaps should merit some sympathy.
From Quiz: Circles Unbroken: A Ring and a Promise
Answer: Red and White
The strings of a Martenitsa bracelet represent male (white) and female (red). Some of the bracelets also feature a red or white doll at the end. A tradition found in the Balkans, Bulgaria, and Greece, the bracelets are worn on Baba Marta Day, March 1, and continue to be worn until a stork or swallow is seen returning from migration. It is a way they can ask Baba Marta, who is kind of like Mother Nature, to make the winter pass faster. Bracelets and similarly-made necklaces are also hung from trees during this time.
From Quiz: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Answer: Anklet
A silambu is a type of anklet worn in India. They are a circular tube, usually made of gold. They have their hollow interior filled with pearls or other precious stones. These are in the anklet in order for tinkling sounds when walking or dancing.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Engraving
Historically, engraving was used in printing and map making; engravers would use a burin, which is also called a graver, to cut the design on a hard surface, such as metal or glass. While there are modern machines that can do the work, traditional engraving is still done today; it is said that under magnification the hand-engraved design is much more sharp. Engraving initials, flowers, or other scenes on jewelry was very popular in Victorian times, and sometimes the depressions were filled with enamel for additional color and effect.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
Answer: Bangle
A bangle is an inflexible bracelet. In India bangles, called suhaag, are made of glass and date back to the Indus civilization. Typically made of red, green, and gold, bangles are worn by Indian brides on both arms - traditionally they wear 21 - and can be decorated with precious stones and metals. Green represents fertility and good luck, red denotes energy and prosperity, and the gold is usually a gift from the groom's family. The number of bracelets is symbolic of the husband's long life. Depending on regional custom, the bride will wear her bracelets at least 40 days after the marriage ceremony; during this time she is excused from heavy chores and housework.
From Quiz: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Answer: Around the head
A ferronnière is a headband that usually has a small gemstone placed in the middle of the forehead. Princess Diana was famous for wearing an emerald one.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Fetish
Typically a fetish has a ceremonial purpose for its creator or wearer. The Native American Zunis, for example, made beautiful fetishes out of local materials, such as turquoise; sometimes bone, coral, or antler were used. Many types of animals, including wolves, bears, mountain lions, and even frogs were carved. The sacred powers of the animal represented by the fetish would protect the owner of the charm, bring good luck, or maybe even fertility.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
Answer: William Spratling
William Spratling, an American and architecture professor went to Taxco, Mexico to study the culture in 1920. Taxco, being known for its wealth of silver, led William Spratling to apprentice young silversmiths with talent and further develop their skills, thus earning him the title of The Father of Mexican Silver.
Taxco silver jewellery is beautiful and unique in that Aztec and Mayan images from temples and pottery shards were used for the designs.
From Quiz: Jingle Jangle Jewellery
Answer: Wales
The tradition began with the wedding of Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon to the Duke of York, later King George VI, in April 1923. Among other Royal brides to continue the tradition were Princess Anne in 1973, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1981 and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in 2005. Kate Middleton's ring was also made from Welsh gold when she married Prince William in 2011, as was that of Queen Elizabeth II for her wedding in 1947. The gold was mined in the Clogau St. David's mine in the Dolgellau region of north-west Wales.
From Quiz: Amazing Adornments
Answer: Either hand, on any finger including the thumb.
The Romans (or sometimes the Egyptians) are credited with the legend that a "vein of love" connected the left ring finger to the heart. However, this was far from a universal custom. In some European countries the ring is worn on the right hand today.
From Quiz: Circles Unbroken: A Ring and a Promise
Answer: Kara
The Sikh kara is worn at all times as a reminder that what a person does with their hands has to be in accordance with the 1699 teachings of Guru Gobind Singh. The circle symbolizes that God is eternal and never ending. It is worn on the right arm as an outward sign of dedication.
From Quiz: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Answer: The Hope Diamond
The Hope Diamond is a world famous blue diamond. It is in a diamond necklace kept at the Smithsonian Museum. It is thought to be a bad luck gemstone bringing its owners detrimental occurrences while they owned it. It has given many different names since it was cut.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Parure
In a parure the matching pieces typically include earrings, bracelet, some type of pin or brooch, and/or necklace. Sometimes a tiara might be included in the set. (That's REALLY swell!) Victorian ladies included two bracelets in their parure; before watches became widely worn on the wrist, it was common to have matching bracelets.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
Answer: The fossilized resin from trees
The resin is formed by the vascular tissue of the tree and released in pockets in response to injury or climate change and is not the sap of the tree, which is a common misconception.
The origins of Baltic Amber start around 45 million years ago when Northern and central Europe were covered in dense forest. As the resin fossilized it was common for small insects, leaves and seeds to become trapped inside the sticky resin.
So if you're lucky enough to have a piece of Amber with, say, a fly embedded in it, you are looking at a fly which is certainly a great deal older than your grandfather!
Amber is not only used to make jewellery, but if heated under the correct conditions then Oil of Amber is produced and was used medicinally for a variety of treatments. Oil of Amber is also used in the perfume industry.
From Quiz: Jingle Jangle Jewellery
Answer: Italy
Murano beads come in every color of the rainbow. They are intricately carved, hand-blown glass beads that may contain threads of gold and may be milky or completely clear. Italian glass artists worked long and hard to perfect the art of bead making. A good necklace of the finest Murano glass beads may be more expensive than a necklace made with other natural semi-precious stones.
From Quiz: The Secret Life of Beads
Answer: jade
For many years it was believed that these were the suits of legend and did not really exist, but some have since been discovered in 1968, 1973 and 1983. It is now believed that they were common for burial of aristocrats from the Han Dynasty, but that many may have been lost to grave robbers.
From Quiz: Amazing Adornments
Answer: Rosary beads
Japa mala are prayer bead chains usually consisting of 109 beads, used to aid the wearer in fully concentrating on a mantra for meditation instead of having to keep a count in his head. Out of these 109, one is called the sumeru or guru bead which is used to hold the Japa mala and as a marker for the start of the count of the remaining 108 beads strung on a loop. 108 is the basic number of repetitions for a mantra-based meditation although, like on the Christian rosary, the wearer can also go through several times. Common materials for Japa mala are wood, bone and some semi-precious stones such as amethyst and carnelian.
From Quiz: It Sparkles, It Glitters, It's a...
Answer: 1890s-1920s
Platinum was known in the 17th century and was used as coinage by Catherine the Great. However, it has a high melting point and is difficult to work with. Platinum became popular for jewelry only after newer manufacturing techniques were developed. It peaked in demand through the 1930s, but was rarely used during World War II because of its strategic value.
From Quiz: Circles Unbroken: A Ring and a Promise
Answer: Protection from evil eye
For centuries people have believed in the power of the evil eye and have created talismans for protection. The Azabache bracelet is worn for protection from the evil eye, "Mal de ojo", which can occur when people look at something in a covetous or jealous way. It originated in Latin American with the Spanish who brought the belief with them. Infants are traditionally given the bracelet, or sometimes a necklace, that features an amulet. Another known antidote for the evil eye is rubbing raw eggs on the body!
From Quiz: All I Want For Christmas Is...
Answer: Scotland
The kilt pin is just what it sounds like. It is a decorative pin used on skirts or kilts to keep them closed. The weight of the pin keeps the front from blowing open. It is usually seen being worn in Scotland.
From Quiz: 24K Magic
Answer: Seed Pearls
In the past seed pearls, sometimes called keshi pearls, were very tiny pearls formed in a freshwater oyster or mussel, usually less than 2mm in diameter; today they are also created by pearl farmers. During the Victorian age, these small pearls would be strung on horsehair or set in other pieces of jewelry as accents. They were also worn as sautoirs, which was a type of necklace.
From Quiz: That's Just Swell
