Ancient Jewelry

Ancient jewelry used high karat gold, softer than 18K or 14K and easier to manipulate with crude tools.  Beads, crudely cut semi-precious stones and intaglios were often used in combination with gold.  Shapes were simple.  Animal forms, mythical gods and creatures were popular themes.  Pieces also often served a function, such as holding clothing together or pinning hair.  Many pieces were also often used for burial rites.