My Top 49 Jewelry Basics:

This is a set of basic stuff you really need to know if you plan to make and sell jewelry at home.

Beads as Money — Beads were the first money. Until then, about 50,000 B.C., any exchange was strictly in livestock, food, skins, weapons — some sort of trade or barter. The hole in a bead made it easy to carry on a string or leather thong. Certain beads had definite values. Common early “money” beads were bone, shell, wood and some larger seeds. In some parts of the world, beads are still money. Continue reading →