The Most Traditional Styles of Body Modification Jewelry

It is hard to tell whether ear or nose piercing first came into existence. However, these body modifications, along with stretched lip and ears, evolved in many cultures and tradition. Ear piercings practice was first seen among many ancient tribes, for various reasons, that range from custom to religious. The same is true for nostril piercing. It emerged in various regions such as North America, Asia, pacific Asia and Africa.

In Central and South America, women with lip labrets were a common occurrence, whereas Native American had their ear or nose, usually septum, pierced. The jewelry worn was predominantly made from high-valued metals such as gold and silver. In sophisticated cultures, ornaments were in various forms. Artifacts found in the native Central America, depicts people have stretched lobes, adoring jewelry, not so different from what we see contemporary world, which include:

Single stone: stone, such as turquoise, malachite, lapis, variscite, was used to be stand-alone gem; it was used for both nose and ear. Other than stone, coral, shell, spiny oyster, mother of pearl and wood were used as central piece.

Multi-stone: More than one stone is used to make patters, like row, cluster or inlay. Native Indians started the graduated pattern, which we all see today. As lapidary matured, more inlay jewelry style came into existence:

• Channel inlay: In this design, stones are flattened, cut, shaped, and are laid to create a design.
• Stone to Stone inlay: In this style, stone are set next to each other separated by sidewalls.

Metal: The most basic style developed using metal is the polished one. Metals are polished with a mirror like finish.

• Overlay: two or more metals are overlaid, one atop another, creating dimensions. A contrast between the metal is the USP, created using scratching or chemically oxidizing agents.
• Hammer work: using special tools, elaborate patterns are hammered into metal.
• Cast work: just like modern technique, metal is melted and casted into specific designs. It could either be, sand casted or Tufa, based on the material used for casting.

Therefore, it can be said since the body modification has come in existence, jewelry that has been embellishing ears and nose are considered the traditional one. Whether it is the ear plugs, or ear tapers, more or less, they have developed from the traditional jewelry.