Jewelry Boxes - A gift for the Ages

Jewelry boxes, caskets or pouches have been in existence since the beginning of self-decoration. Prior to the discovery of fire and the development of metal working, the average cavewoman probably had a simple pouch of animal hide to store and carry her valuables.

Jewelry boxes or caskets as they were called in ancient times have been discovered throughout the world in many archaeological excursions. Some of these finds show symbols reflecting that era’s beliefs in the gods and supposedly contained mystical powers.

Most jewelry boxes were originally crafted from metal and adorned with precious jewels making them as valuable as the items they contained. These were usually owned by royalty and the wealthy and made by skilled craftsmen. Jewelry boxes of wood were hand carved with intricate designs and sometimes painted ranging from the pocket size to an actual piece of furniture.

The free standing jewelry box with legs was obviously created for the wealthy offering doors with glass panels, hooks for necklaces and bracelets and a multitude of drawers for other items. With the evolution in industry and the use of machinery, jewelry boxes became more affordable for the middle class and a common item on a woman’s dresser.

A jewelry box can now be found made out of almost every conceivable material, any size, any shape and any price range. There are collectibles, rarities, novelties and functional jewelry boxes. Some jewelry boxes have become family heirlooms being handed down from one generation to the other usually with a story of that person and their generation.

Another aspect of the jewelry box is music. Many feature music often a love song when they are opened. This made them a popular gift for that special girl from the guy trying to win her heart. What better way than something to hold a piece of jewelry you bought her and plays her a song to remind her of your love?

Of course, some jewelry boxes are purely functional with simple design, no ornamentation or music. These are sometimes known as trinket boxes. Trinket boxes are usually shaped like an animal or a fictional character, and sometimes you can't even tell that they have storage in them.A trinket box can also be a place to protect precious jewels and mementos with the option of locking the box with a key or a code as so much of us have nowadays for our cars and doors.

The jewelry box is a fascinating thing with a colorful history and unlimited appearance. It makes a great gift and can have significant sentimental value. You could begin a family tradition by handing down that jewelry box you’ve had since you were a teenager.