It is sad to note that jewelry as a form of art is actually taken for granted. The art in a jewelry piece is less noticed and less praised compared to the art in paintings and sculpture.
Sure, people will gaze in wonder at a four-carat diamond on an engagement ring. Certainly, people will notice if you wear a diamond tennis bracelet to your prom party. However, the appreciation for jewelry is almost always confined to the cost of the item and the prestige that goes with owning such an obviously expensive piece. The appreciation lies, therefore, not on the work and the artistry that goes into the production of the jewelry piece. It lies more on its weight, its size, and its prize tag.
This single-minded focus on the cost of jewelry as well as the neglect of the jewelry’s form, design and details has taken away the appreciation for jewelry as a true form of art. Jewelry has regressed to nothing but an expensive and brazen wealth exhibit.
This disconnection from the true and pure meaning of jewelry can be attributed to the materialistic mindset that’s prevalent today. Jewelry is viewed as a status symbol or an investment, thus the price of the jewelry is given more weight. Unless people learn to appreciate and give value to the artistry behind the design of the jewelry, true appreciation of the art of jewelry making may be slow to come by.
The Face with the Artist’s Hands
How do we change people’s mind so that their love of jewelry springs from the appreciation of jewelry as a work of art? What may be lacking right now is a face that will represent the hands that make the jewelry themselves. A new Monet, or a Da Vinci of jewelry may be needed to take people’s mind off what kind of metal a piece of jewelry is made of or what precious gem adorns it and instead turn people’s mind towards the artistry of the piece and the skill of the jewelry maker and designer.
Through this, perhaps people will cease to be blinded by the jewelry’s price but will be more appreciative of the way a stone is set and the way every element complements each other. Perhaps, this will lead to a time when people will value a piece of jewelry even if mere seashells adorn it, as long as the jewelry piece’s craftsmanship is superb.
There are a lot of famous jewelers in the world today, but true appreciation and love of jewelry can be attained only by taking the art of jewelry-making and design closer to the public so that people can see past the carats to the art beneath.
Sure, people will gaze in wonder at a four-carat diamond on an engagement ring. Certainly, people will notice if you wear a diamond tennis bracelet to your prom party. However, the appreciation for jewelry is almost always confined to the cost of the item and the prestige that goes with owning such an obviously expensive piece. The appreciation lies, therefore, not on the work and the artistry that goes into the production of the jewelry piece. It lies more on its weight, its size, and its prize tag.
This single-minded focus on the cost of jewelry as well as the neglect of the jewelry’s form, design and details has taken away the appreciation for jewelry as a true form of art. Jewelry has regressed to nothing but an expensive and brazen wealth exhibit.
This disconnection from the true and pure meaning of jewelry can be attributed to the materialistic mindset that’s prevalent today. Jewelry is viewed as a status symbol or an investment, thus the price of the jewelry is given more weight. Unless people learn to appreciate and give value to the artistry behind the design of the jewelry, true appreciation of the art of jewelry making may be slow to come by.
The Face with the Artist’s Hands
How do we change people’s mind so that their love of jewelry springs from the appreciation of jewelry as a work of art? What may be lacking right now is a face that will represent the hands that make the jewelry themselves. A new Monet, or a Da Vinci of jewelry may be needed to take people’s mind off what kind of metal a piece of jewelry is made of or what precious gem adorns it and instead turn people’s mind towards the artistry of the piece and the skill of the jewelry maker and designer.
Through this, perhaps people will cease to be blinded by the jewelry’s price but will be more appreciative of the way a stone is set and the way every element complements each other. Perhaps, this will lead to a time when people will value a piece of jewelry even if mere seashells adorn it, as long as the jewelry piece’s craftsmanship is superb.
There are a lot of famous jewelers in the world today, but true appreciation and love of jewelry can be attained only by taking the art of jewelry-making and design closer to the public so that people can see past the carats to the art beneath.
by Eric Hartwell