When we look at the history of unique handmade jewellery we can see the fascination, symbolism and mystery that different countries and cultures from around the world have attributed to these pieces. Each and every one of these factors plays apart in the jewellery designs that we can see today.

The earliest evidence that man has discovered of handmade jewellery is in the African continent and archaeologists have found examples of ethnic jewellery that was crafted into these unusual designs by things that they would have found around them in nature like shell, pebbles and plated grasses.

The first evidence that we can see where man has but skill, detail and designs into their unique jewellery designs is from the Egyptians. The craftsmen in ancient Egypt had a preference for precious metals in there handcrafted jewellery designs and gold can be found in abundance in these stunning designs. These pieces were worn to symbolise wealth and power and they would be worn by both women and men. These pieces were worn during their life to show their social status and these were not only worn during their lives they were also buried wearing this pieces of handcrafted jewellery and these have been found in unearthed tomes.

During the Renaissance there was a big development in the designs of jewellery and unique jewellery designs were being created only for the fashion value and as ornaments to be worn to beautify the wearer and at this point you could see both men and women wearing earrings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants. Large brooches were very fashionable around this time and these pieces were generally crafted from precious metals set with gemstones. The designs of these pieces of unique pieces of jewellery became more and more intricate and this fashion carried on to the Victorian era. At this point jewellery was only owned by wealthy people and these stunning gems still symbolised the wealth of the wearer.

Rings have always been a popular piece of handmade jewellery and we can find many of these designs that carry a lot of symbolism with them. One of the first rings that come to mind when we think of unique jewellery designs with symbolism is the engagement ring. This is given to your betrothed as a symbol of love, commitment and the promise of marriage and then we thing off the wedding ring which is worn by both the man and the woman as symbols of their eternal love and commitment to each other.

Friendship rings are given among friend especially with the young and have a close relationship and the most famous of these friendship rings is the Celtic Claddagh ring. This has two hands that hold a heart and depending on how you were it depends on its meaning. It could mean that you are much loved friends and sometimes in Ireland it is used as an engagement and a wedding ring.

You will find that in some cultures will wear a ring that contains the birthstone of their first born and I have seen bracelets that have the birthstone of ever one of their children

Colour and semi-precious stones also have meaning when it comes to pieces of unique jewellery, if you choose necklace jewellery designs crafted from a red stone this represents the sun and power, stones that have a green shade are used in pieces of unique jewellery as a sign of birth many of the other semi-precious and precious stones have different meanings. The Victorians used to make necklace jewellery designs made from semi-precious stones in combinations that sent a message to the receiver. You will find many jewellery designs in earrings, bracelets and pendants that have symbolic charms as the focal point for their designs.