20 Fascinating Facts About Jewelry

Here are **20 fascinating facts** about jewelry that you might not have known: 

1. The word "jewelry" comes from the French word "jouel," which means "plaything." 

2. Diamonds come in various colors, including yellow, pink, blue, green, and red. 

3. The largest diamond ever found weighed a whopping 3,106 carats and is known as the Cullinan diamond. 

4. The tradition of giving an engagement ring dates back to ancient Rome. 

5. The famous Hope diamond is said to be cursed, bringing bad luck to its owners. 

6. In ancient Egypt, jewelry was often buried with the deceased to accompany them into the afterlife. 

7. The term "costume jewelry" was coined in the 1920s to describe jewelry made from non-precious materials. 

8. Ancient Greeks believed that pearls were the tears of the gods. 

9. The world's oldest known piece of jewelry is a set of beads made from Nassarius shells, discovered in Israel and estimated to be over 100,000 years old . 

10. Kate Middleton's wedding tiara, the Cartier Halo Tiara, was borrowed from Queen Elizabeth. 

11. The term "tennis bracelet" originated after tennis player Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet during a match. 

12. In ancient Rome, women wore a type of ring called an "annulus pronubus" to signify their engagement. 

13. The largest emerald ever found weighed 7,052 carats and is known as the Bahia Emerald. 

14. During the Victorian era, mourning jewelry was popular, often featuring hair from the deceased. 

15. Audrey Hepburn wore a stunning necklace designed by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co. in the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's." 

16. The term "karat" refers to the purity of gold, with 24 karat gold being pure gold. 

17. The iconic Cartier Panther brooch was first created in 1948 for the Duchess of Windsor. 

18. The world's most expensive piece of jewelry is the Graff Pink diamond, which sold for $46 million in 2010. 

19. Ancient Greeks believed that amethysts could prevent drunkenness. 

20. The term "choker" was first used in the 19th century to describe a type of necklace worn tightly around the neck.

At Legacy Jewelry, in addition to jewelry sales, we offer a variety services including appraisals, estate cataloging, consignment, repairs, design and gold buying. We provide SAME DAY SERVICE for your insurance & estate documentation.  For over 40 years, we have been in the business of jewelry for Orange County residents. For same day service or to make an appointment, give us a call at 949-230-1069.