Christian Jewelry and Its Relevance Today

Christian Jewelry: A Brief
History
Dating back to the ancient
Greek and Roman times,
man has often worn amulets
for good luck, to ward off
evil spirits as well as to pay
homage to deity. It's no
surprise that this tradition
would be passed down in
our lives today in the form
of modern Christian jewelry.
We trace the origin of the
first Christian symbol, the
fish, back to around 54 A.D.
during the days of Christian
persecution. The fish was an
inconspicuous sign that was
easy to use as strangers
meeting would draw the first
crescent of the fish shape
and the other would
complete the symbol; thus,
showing that they were also
Christians. Today, we see a
resurgence of this figure on
bumper stickers, tee shirts
and Christian jewelry. Styles
like rings, bracelets, anklets
even toe rings and spinner
rings are all styled with the
fish. Its design is widely
popular with the younger
generation.
Around the 4th century, we
begin to see identification
with a cross as a Christian
icon. Crude crosses were
fashioned out of sticks and
leather to be worn around
the neck as early signs of
Christian jewelry made from
this image.
Today, modern Christian
jewelry offers a huge
selection to appeal to every
lifestyle. Diamond encrusted
crosses are sometimes used
as status symbols for the
wealthy as well as fashion
statements. Sometimes, a
simple silver cross pendant
can become so much more
as in the case of Gemstones
of the Holy Bible.
Christian Jewelry: A Gift for
All Time
Special gifts of Christian
jewelry are always well
received as they are
generally given by an
important family member or
friend to a child on an
important red letter day.
While trinkets and bibles are
often given as a special gift,
an engraved cross pendant
crafted from fine silver, gold
or other metal is usually the
first choice for the
youngster who is newly
confirmed or has just
received the first
communion. This type of gift
is appropriate for both girls
and boys and usually has a
lasting impression because
of the occasion in marks.
Baptism is also another
special time for giving and
receiving the gift of Christian
jewelry. People of all ages
enjoy both giving and
receiving gifts of this
magnitude as it truly is a gift
that keeps on giving. The
message for the receiver is
that the giver supports their
beliefs in the hope for a
new life.
Sometimes, Christian jewelry
is a "me gift" showing a
quiet display of ones faith.
Some choose to wear
jewels with Christian images
because they need a
reminder that there is a
better life that's everlasting.
Finally, crosses, fish,
medallions of saints and
other religious icons are self
given because they are
popular fashion statements.
You can see today's
celebrities wearing large,
showy cross pendants in
magazines giving this
symbol prominence in other
areas besides just faith.
Christian Jewelry: Notable
Jewels
Throughout recorded
history, Christian jewelry has
been an important display of
mankind's strong belief in a
better life that's everlasting
in Heaven.
The Jerusalem cross
pendant said to be worn by
Godfrey de Bouillon, who
lead the Christians to victory
by capturing Jerusalem in
1099. It later became the
symbol of the Latin Kingdom
of Jerusalem, which was
established after the first
Crusade until 1291 when
the last remaining territory
of the kingdom was taken
from the Christians.
Charlemagne, the Holy
Roman Emperor, had one of
the most famous pieces of
Christian jewelry. His
notable pendant was said to
include pieces from the True
Cross and the crown of
thorns under a sapphire set
with gold. It was said that
he referred to his pendant
as "Warrior" because he
often wore it into battle.
Christian jewelry is found
today in one of the finest
collections in the world...the
Crown Jewels. The image of
the cross is found
repeatedly in royal jewelry
collections because it
symbolizes the monarchy's
power and connection with
God for over a thousand
years. Historically, the
Sovereigns who sat on the
throne believed wholly that
they are anointed by God's
own hand and are given the
divine right of kings to rule
their people.