Different materials have been used in making jewelry from the ancient time up to today. The ancient jewelry makers used materials that could only be available within their locality since there was no expanded means of trade which would facilitate importation of materials that were endowed elsewhere.

This limited the use of some jewelry in some parts, thus; some jewelry could only be associated with specific communities only.

The latter is opposed to the modern jewelry industry due to the improved means of trade which enables jewelry manufacturers to import materials from various parts of the globe. Most of the ancient jewelry materials are still in use today.

These materials include the beads, metals like gold, silver and bronnze. Other ancient materials still in use today are wood, glass, stones, and the gemstones.

Modern jewelry materials include, plastic, clay, ivory and other organic materials such as animal teeth and bones. Below are some of the commonly used materials for making jewelry;

• Beads. Beads are the most used by the African jewelers. Beaded jewelry, in African societies, was mostly used by women. They vary in size. The beads are mainly used to make jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, belts, finger rings, and bracelets.

Beads are usually joined by threads. The modern jewelers use these beaded jewelry in embroidery techniques and artistry where the beads are sewn or engraved into fabric to make it more beautiful and attractive.

• Gemstones: These are soft stones or minerals that are precious which are polished, cut or curved to make jewelry. The modern jewelry use gemstones such as amethyst, emerald, jasper, jade and amber. Emerald is a greenish or bluish gemstone that was used by Egyptians about 3500 BC.
It is one of popular gemstone used by both ancient and modern jewelers. Amethyst was first mined and used for making jewelry in Egypt. It is the most precious gemstone used in jewelry. Amethyst is a purple material which range from dark to a light hue.

Jasper is another familiar gemstone in jewelry. It is colored to form patterns that give it a very attractive as well as an interesting look.

• Gold. This amongst the most precious metal material that has been used to make jewelry. It is a shiny, yellowish metal. It is thin and light; this makes it most preferred for making body jewelry such as earrings, wedding rings as well as piercings.

Gold jewelry is most worn by people who want to show their wealth status, as well as their social status.

• Silver. This is another popular metal for making jewelry. Silver is usually classified as either, sterling silver and soft flex silver. Sterling silver is the most white compared to other metals. Soft flex silver is a type of silver which is coated in stainless steel strands to give it a soft feel.