How Long Does Jewelry Last?

The length of time that jewelry lasts depends on a number of factors. You can see pieces of jewelry from antiquity for your viewing pleasure on display in museums, antique shops and pawn shops everywhere. Ancient civilizations created and prized jewelry, such as the Egyptians and Incan people. Pieces made of precious metals and gemstones were generally reserved for royalty.

The endurance of a specific piece of jewelry will depend on what type it was and how frequently it was worn. For instance, a wedding band worn daily will not last as long as a brooch, which is worn occasionally. Since a ring is on the hand and we use our hands a lot, rings are exposed to a high degree of wear and tear. It is not uncommon for an old wedding band to split during the life of its wearer. Remember that gold is a softer metal.

Remains of shell beads that trace back to about 75,000 years ago were found in a cave in Africa. Simple materials were used at that time, such as snail shells and ostrich eggs. The ancients used what was available. Though the jewelry of today does not utilize these materials, it is a testament to how long jewelry can last. Native American jewelry, with its use of silver and turquoise, still exists. Archeological explorations bring new pieces of antiquity to light.

Jewelry made as recently as nearly 5,000 years ago is still in existence today. This was when some ancients discovered that gold and other precious metals were malleable. In addition, gemstones held significance to them. Of course, that jewelry was buried for centuries.

Jewelry of more recent centuries is still in existence. You will still find a wide selection of antique jewelry available for sale from the 16th century. Even fine examples of jewelry from the Renaissance and Baroque periods still exist, though styles have changed extensively. Each period of jewelry is a reflection of the popular attire of that particular era.