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Practically every type of religion has metaphysical jewelry. Whether Buddhist, Christian or New Age, there are spiritual symbols that are often worn as adornment by both men and women. This type of jewelry is almost as old as history itself.
Much of the early artwork that survives today has a spiritual connotation. Whether the art was an idol or a symbol of the creator's faith, we see surviving pieces made of stone, iron, brass or gold. In addition to those pieces of art, there were pieces of jewelry made that reflected the wearer's religious beliefs.
Some of the pieces were designed to be worn to keep away the evil spirits while others were simple reminders of the faith or of their god. Pieces had to have significance to the wearer or they would not have been made. As man progressed in his spirituality and skills the jewelry that he made also changed to reflect new beliefs and new talents.
Catholicism has jewelry in the form of crosses, rosaries and crucifixes. These adornments are important to the wearer in reminding them of the suffering of the Savior. Rosaries are used during prayers. Additionally, medallions such as St. Christopher metals are often important to Catholics as well as non Catholics.
While rosaries and crucifixes are less popular with Protestants, the cross is a popular piece of jewelry. In addition, the symbol of the fish found in the catacombs has been important for thousands of years.
New Age jewelry often has very ancient roots. Amulets which have been copied from pieces that were created thousands of years ago are often worn. These pieces often are very expensive, but pieces using inexpensive metals and fake stones are also popular.
Many Native Americans wear spiritual jewelry. The jewelry may have to do with a rite of passage, be a healing stone or be used only in ceremonies. In the United States there are special laws about jewelry that is sold as Native American jewelry, so if you want authentic jewelry, be sure that you understand these laws.
Jewelry prices for spiritual pieces vary greatly. You will find that there are cheap plastic pieces sold as well as those pieces that are made from gold, silver and precious stones. The more expensive materials will make the piece more expensive. If you opt for a custom made piece, you should expect to pay the most for the jewelry.
If you are planning to purchase spiritual jewelry, you should begin by setting a budget. Know what you can and want to spend before you begin shopping. As with any other jewelry, you will want to look for quality workmanship. Make sure that settings are secure and that clasps and fasteners are secure. Like other good jewelry, you do not want a piece to be ruined by a lost stone or lost because of a faulty clasp. If you are new to your spirituality and unsure about what piece of jewelry to purchase, speak with someone who is more experienced in the practice of your religion. They may be able to direct you to a piece that will grow in meaning to you over time.
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