|
Nearly every religion has spiritual jewelry. Whether your are Buddhist, Native American, Christian or New Age, you will find spiritual symbols which are worn for adornment. These pieces may be designed for wear by either women or men. Jewelry related to ones spirituality 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 jewelry that was spiritual in nature was worn in order to ward off evil spirits. Other pieces were made to remind the wearer of their god or religious duty. The pieces were worn because they were important to the wearer.
There are examples seen in Catholicism today. Rosaries, crosses and crucifixes as well as metals depicting the patron saints are often worn. Rosaries are very important to Catholics as they are used in daily prayers. Many of the metals of the saints are also worn by 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.
Much of the New Age jewelry has ancient roots. New Age practitioners may wear amulets that are copied from ancient artwork. The jewelry may use precious stones or gemstones. The metals may be gold, silver or an alloy.
Many Native Americans wear metaphysical 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.
When planning to purchase spiritual jewelry, start by setting your budget. It is important to have a price range in mind before you shop. If you are purchasing a more expensive piece, look for quality in workmanship. Settings should be firmly attached and clasps or fasteners need to be secure. A lost stone can be expensive to replace and a faulty clasp can result in the entire piece being lost. If you have a newly found faith, then you may want to speak with an older practitioner before making a purchase. They may be able to recommend appropriate jewelry for you.
| 
