To the ancient Egyptians, fashion was more important than cleanliness. They could go for weeks on end without bathing, as long as they were covered from head to toe in glimmering jewelry! Both the rich and the poor had jewelry. It didn’t matter how sunk into poverty you were--you had at least one necklace made of string and ceramic beads or one made of flowers. The upper classes wore wesekh collar, a large necklace-like collar that started at the base of the neck and ended just below the ribcage. It usually had four to six rows of beads, all attached in the back with wire or string. Sometimes there would be a semi-precious stone hanging from the last row of beads that would dangle there to make the wesekh collar look more gorgeous.
Ancient Egyptians were very superstitious, and they believed that jewelry had magical powers that would protect them now and in the afterlife. This is why they placed jewelry in the tombs of mummified people. Often pharaoh’s tombs would be filled with jewelry, clothing, and any of their most prized possessions to take with them into the afterlife.
Ancient Egyptians made many types of jewelry. Necklaces, pendants, rings, anklets, beaded belts, earrings, armbands, headbands, diadems, bracelets, and hair combs aren’t even the full list! Both men and women wore tons of jewelry. Most everyone in ancient Egypt had their ears pierced, even men. It wasn’t considered weird back then to see men in lengthy earrings, golden, shiny necklaces, or electrum rings. (Electrum, the mixture of gold and silver, was quite common and very beautiful.) Even jewelers wore jewelry
Egyptians started making jewelry as early as 3500 B.C.E. They mainly mined for all of their materials, but there was an exception for glass. Often the ancient Egyptians would have glass imported from other countries. There were also other materials used to make jewelry. Carnelian was quartz, and sometimes it was dark red, sometimes maroon. Turquoise was a mineral, and often it was a light blue, sometimes aqua colored. Garnet was a crystal that is sometimes red, purple, yellow, green, orange, black, or brown. Lapis lazuli was a special stone--and it was dark blue with dark purple or light green tints. Amethyst was, like carnelian, a quartz that was different tints of purple. Silver was once more valuable than gold because it was more difficult to find. Faience was a ceramic component used for beads, amulets, art, and jars. It was made of crushed limestone and was very popular in ancient Egypt. Glass is clear when polished, sometimes giving off a blueish tint if not.
Butcher, Kristin, and Martha Newbigging. Pharaohs and Foot Soldiers: One Hundred Ancient Egyptian Jobs You Might Have Desired or Dreaded. Toronto: Annick, 2009. Print.