Jewelry has been worn by people since ancient times.  The earliest people wore necklaces made of bones and animal teeth, while jewelry made of gold and silver is believed to have made its appearance with the ancient Egyptians more than 3,000 years ago.  Every civilization from the Egyptians to the Romans adopted its own make and style of jewelry, and for good reason.  Jewelry has a way of bringing out things that we never knew were there.
    
The right jewelry piece can do much to enhance one’s physical features.  The sparkle of a sapphire or a rich blue topaz can highlight the blue in your eyes and the glow on your cheeks and lips.  Dangling earrings can accentuate a shorter hairstyle, or a beautiful long neck.  Nothing is prettier than a beautiful woman wearing a gorgeous glittering gemstone necklace that brings out the shine in her hair, or the creamy undertones of her complexion.
     
Jewelry accentuates more than just physical features.  It provides polish and sophistication to clothing in a way that nothing else can.   A strand of pearls adds class and elegance to a simple cocktail dress.  A turquoise pendant brings forth an almost spiritual quality to a flowing white summer tank and skirt.  An oversized, gemstone ring on the hand of a confident businesswoman projects confidence and capability.
   
Just as jewelry can bring out our good features, it can also detract from the ones we would like to downplay.  A larger bracelet can detract attention from hands that might look a bit overworked.  A choker necklace or one with a hanging pendant can draw the eye up from the waist, past the chest and up to the face.  A long necklace downplays certain facial features and just provide an overall balance to an individual look.  
    
The most wonderful thing about jewelry is the color it adds; Rich hues of carnelian, coral, or onyx accent the dark complexions of brunettes and redheads.  Sparking amethyst, ruby, garnet, peridot, agate, and rose quartz breathe color into paler complexions.  Let’s face it, we could all use a color boost now and then, or color to accentuate a great tan or a well-preserved complexion.
  
Today’s jewelry designs offer more variety and quality.  Jewelry is not only used to enhance features and provide color, but to project personality.  Large, bold pieces provide focus and help us to express our individuality. 

Use jewelry to enhance what you’ve got, and to let the world know who you are.

By Julie