Early uses of silver and gold included handcrafted jewelry, vessels, household ornaments, coinage, weapons and amulets thought to help ward off evil spirits. Gold and silver jewelry, whether handcrafted jewelry or machine-made (evidence of the first milling machine-made pieces show up in Chinese jade rings from as early as 7th century BCE), often has been allowed to be worn only by society’s elite. Sumptuary laws, designed to regulate and reinforce morals and social hierarchies via restrictions on the consumption of certain items such as jewelry, clothing and even food, have been place throughout history. The first Roman sumptuary law declared that no woman could possess more than a half ounce of gold, wear a dress of multiple colors or ride in a carriage in any city unless for a public ceremony. Only ambassadors could wear gold rings and men were forbidden to wear silk.
http://www.guybeardjewelry.com
Most historic sumptuary laws seem odd in modern contexts, but many variations remain in place in some cultures and faiths to this day. Of course, at Guy Beard Jewelry, we believe everyone should enjoy the look of a well-crafted piece of jewelry, no matter one’s rank in life. And he’s particularly interested in those who lead active, athletic, even extreme lifestyles.
http://www.guybeardjewelry.com
Beard began creating with precious metals during the 1970s while working in a dentist’s office. As an avid blue water fisherman, he recognized a wide-open market for attractive jewelry durable enough to withstand the daily wear and tear of the mariner’s life. Problem was, gold jewelry making processes of the day left much to be desired. It was simply accepted that gold and silver handcrafted jewelry items eventually would get damaged and lose their shape. So Guy went about the business of improving the handcrafted jewelry business, inventing and patenting numerous new jewelry making techniques and machines over the years. His innovations are proven to create stronger pieces of jewelry that stand up to time, Mother Nature’s harsh elements (namely the salty sea water and air) and the sports-minded individual’s daily routines.
Today, Beard is nationally renowned for his stunning – and stunningly durable – handcrafted jewelry made in the mariner’s style. Guy Beard Jewelry produces upwards of 90% of its products in-house. For custom, handcrafted jewelry that looks great today and will continue to look great for years, you can’t get any better than Guy Beard Jewelry. Browse our website or stop in to Beard’s Jacksonville studio in the historic San Marco district of Jacksonville, FL.
http://www.guybeardjewelry.com
