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ToggleEgyptian Jewelry – According to old civilizations, Ancient Egypt is usually defined as a class-conscious society with fairly evident discrimination among those who can and cannot afford luxuries. But every Egyptian had one common element, one shared hobby regardless of their age, gender, and wealth status: jewelry. Whether you are a child, an old priest, an underprivileged farmer, or a pharaoh, the tradition of making, wearing, and gifting Egyptian jewelry has been the highlight from the predynastic to Roman times. Even emperors were used to be buried with exotic, symbolic, and highly cherished pieces.
Egyptians are also known to associate jewelry with the magical qualities of stone. Ornaments were prized for warding off evil, bringing fortune, protecting from disease, etc. Apart from making jewelry, some meaningful stones and crystals were powdered down to be used as therapeutic remedies, such as Amethyst, Feldspar, Olivine, Jasper, Chalcedony, Obsidian, Quartz, and Garnet OR used as a type of makeup, such as Malachite.
Considering the value of Egyptian jewelry and how it transcended these social divisions, historians must use the pieces as scholarly objects to explore several avenues. These can be the window to understanding Egypt’s:
- Burial culture
- Religious practices
- Beliefs
- Economics, trading, and living
- Ritual practices
- Manufacturing skills
- Availability of raw material – gems, stones, metals.
Variety of Metals & Gemstones Used In Egyptian Jewelry
Egyptians were very precise and keen about the selection of material, design, type of stone, and fabrication techniques used in jewelry making. Also, their styling preferences and the symbolic meanings of gemstones and carvings evolved over time.
During periods of political instability, imported lapis and turquoise become less existent. This led to a fondness for locally sourced purple amethyst. It was the most popular during the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2055-1650 BCE). Back in the 18th Dynasty, glass became the preferred choice for elite jewelry. Further, the nearer 332 BC era was meant for Green Jasper.
Some of the less commonly used gemstones are:
- Emeralds – a symbol of immortality and a positive sign of fertility
- Carnelian – used to purify the blood and is considered a sign of steadiness and protection.
- Amethyst – a symbol of royalty
- Turquoise – symbolizes a peaceful life, tranquility, and happiness.
- Jasper – illustrates Ptah, the god of architects.
- Garnet – it has several meanings: one is “representing the victorious life and power,” the second is “wrath, rage, and fury” and the third is “fire.”
- Malachite – meant to facilitate physical and spiritual healing.
- Obsidian – indicating death
In Egyptian jewelry, you can find gold and silver, copper, tin, bronze, and iron, alongside many other metals. Gold was used for royalties and lesser-worth metals by lower-class people. Silver was mostly used with white gold. Iron was rare but still considered valuable for making beads. The most typical use of lead was in amulets.
The resources used in jewelry and the quality of work held significance in assessing the wearer’s social and financial standing. For example, the jewelry of the 21st and 22nd-dynasty kings of Tanis contains ornate gold masks, reflecting supremacy. Similarly, the Middle Kingdom princess belts and bracelets feel luxurious – loaded with gems. On the flip side, all you can get at the burials of Lahun and Dashur are unadorned single-strung barrel-shaped clay beads. Moreover, cheap copper was for the commoners, and expensive gold was for the nobility.
Lapis Lazuli
One of the most important gems for being a part of Tutankhamun’s death mask (found in the eye surrounds and eyebrows). Why? This gemstone allegedly helps resurrect the dead kings, aligning them with the sun god Ra, who is defined as the one with silver bones, gold flesh, and hair of Lapis Lazuli. Even his tomb has pieces of Lapis Lazuli jewelry in an exotic combination of Turquoise and Carnelian.
Keeping its powers of renewal and resurrection in mind, Lapis Lazuli was a staple for sacred amulets. Moreover, its dark blue base with golden flecks resembles a night sky which indicates life, paradise, and the gods. Lapis Lazuli’s worth is further highlighted by historical figures like Cleopatra, who used its powdered form as eye makeup.
Sacred Symbols & Use of Hieroglyphs
One of the main reasons behind wearing Egyptian jewelry was to make the gods listen to them, as well as to show people whom they worship. Each piece was engraved with special signs, dedicated symbols, shapes, and structures to show deities their devotion. Each carries a separate meaning, signaling the universe and relating to diverse fields of life. These not only helped Egyptians get the attention of gods or goddesses but also made pieces more decorative and fascinating.
The most common symbols include:
- Scarab
- Phoenix
- Temple Gates
- The Eye of Horus
- Papyrus
- Pyramids
- Knot of Isis
- The healing sign
- Baboon
Each item reflects a unique history or a memorable story to reminisce. So, hieroglyphs were widely used to share noteworthy information about the time, archeological period, and ownership of jewelry. The most common was a cartouche which is oval-shaped hieroglyphs featuring a line at one end. It was an assortment of symbols organized to create a name/title. Primarily used for Pharaohs, cartouches were further adopted by the higher classes.
Bottom Line
You must be wondering if ancient Egyptian jewelry is still worn today. Well, yes! Despite being one thousand years old, the intricate design and masterful use of gemstones make it unmatchable in rarity. You can get quality and trendy Egyptian-themed jewelry from specific places, but even the smallest item will be extremely expensive.
