Since the beginning of time, humans have made use of creating ornamental jewelry for their personal adornment. In fact recently, there have been located Nassaruis shell beads, that date back as far as one hundred thousand years. That is a very long time when you consider the manufacturing of functional and decorative jewelry. However, historically many jewelry items were first created as a means of fastening ones clothing, the display of wealth and status in society as well as for creating storage units for coins and other trinkets in jewelry boxes. With a bit of research, you will find that various cultures have their own cherished wealthy possessions of precious metals and gemstones. Long ago, wedding dowries included such treasures as the family jewels for a daughter about to be married.