Ornaments have long been considered an integral symbolic component of early human societies. An interesting collection of them have been dug near or around ancient burial mounds, and were thought to have been worn as amulets or as symbols of status. They were either made of animal bones, stones or shells. Where shells were not easily available, human teeth were used instead. These were some of the earliest known handcrafted bijoux that were first used at least 40,000 years ago.

Today, exhuming bodies of dead relatives to extract their teeth is unthinkable, if not altogether a social taboo. Thanks to the numerous mines that have been excavated during the intervening millennia, minerals have become modern humans' way of conveying status or adorning the body.

How has the use of handcrafted bijoux evolved over the years?

The oldest pieces of bijoux were documented either as amulets, status symbols or simply as adornments. There is however a re-emerging reality in the gem world, and that is "crystal therapy." Gems are thought to be containers of energy, and depending on what you wear, they can either heighten your emotions, relax your nerves, clear your mind, get you grounded, give you a sense of direction, and bring you peace. Gems are popular in Eastern medicine because of these very attributes, and they take prominence in Chinese and Ayurvedic practices. Gems restore the human soul's balance and open up energy centers.

Apart from tying up the look together, modern handcrafted bijoux is more of a personal fashion statement. A simple cord with a charm on the other end goes well with a casual outfit, while semi-precious stones or costume bijoux made of synthetic materials accentuate business attire. The most precious of stones of course, go best with formal wear.

In some African and Asian cultures, bijoux literally modify the body. The Padaung women of Myanmar (formerly Burma) wear neck rings to depress the collarbone and give the illusion of a stretched neck. They also wear anklets that are stacked the same way. The same can be said of Kayan women of northern Thailand. The Maasai of Kenya and northern Tanzania wear earrings that stretch their earlobes.

What are the common materials for customizing bijoux?

bijoux, whether hand-crafted or mass-produced, come in all shapes and forms. The first bijoux discovered in Africa some 75,000 years ago were solely made from materials that were readily available to the people; hence, perforated beads made from snail shells. Thirty thousand years later, the Cro-Magnons of Europe had fashioned bijoux out of wood, berries, and animal bones strung together by sinew. The first copper ornaments were first recorded 7,000 years ago.

The same materials are still in use today. Modern primitivism has resurfaced, so shark teeth, snake skeletons and puka shells are still worn today as personal statements and symbols of individuality. Precious and semi-precious metals like gold, white gold, silver, palladium, and platinum are staples in the bijoux market. Precious and semi-precious stones like diamonds, ruby, sapphire, lapis lazuli, turquoise, amber and amethysts are also old standby, with diamond the most expensive. In fact, anything can be practically fashioned for adornment, whether it has functional value or not.