Life In Biblical Times - Women's Jewelry

Do you think that jewelry and perfume are a fairly recent trend? No way! Back in biblical times jewelry was very common. Here are a few examples...

-- BRACELETS: The bracelets worn by common women were worn at the wrist just like they are today (Ezek 16:11). Women of high status wore their bracelets above the elbow and it was made of precious metals, like gold (2 Sam 1:10). Most bracelets were made as one piece and slipped over the hands. Some were made of two pieces and held together with a pin.

-- EARRINGS: They were round, like today, and the Egyptians made theirs out of gold. Some added precious stones for affect. Others would link several earrings together. In the Far East they had nose rings. Nose rings were one of the earliest forms of jewelry. It was made of gold or ivory and sometimes had jewels in them. Hebrew women didn't wear them, however.

-- COSMETICS: Egyptian women used paint, moistened with oil and vinegar to paint their eyelashes -- sort of a mascara. Hebrew women used this as well but it was generally frowned upon (Jer 4:20). Some Egyptian women even had tattoos on their faces, hands, and feet! Women also stained their fingers and toes as a early form of toe and nail polish.

-- PERFUMES: Cinnamon, myrrh, and frankincense were common perfumes use back then. Perfume was valuable and used as trade.