The History and Tradition of African Gold Jewelry

We won’t disagree that Africa is the richest land on Earth, yet the poorest we know in recent years. In terms of mineral resources in the world, Africa is extremely rich as it is home to over 30% of minerals in the world.

So let’s find out what is African gold jewelry and how they differ from the rest of the world’s gold.

The Origins Of African Gold Jewelery

African Gold jewelry is known for its bright, vibrant tactile, and beautifully hand-crafted using techniques handed down through generations. African Gold jewelry isn’t just an ornament for your body, it’s far more! From religious adornments to rituals, African jewelry is full of fascinating stories. 

The oldest African jewelry piece discovered is mollusk shells that are more than 75,000 years old. They have worn areas that suggest they were used to make necklaces.  Natural materials like hide, porcupine etc are the main constituents of African jewellery. For instance, archeological excavations have revealed many items made using cowrie shells. Additionally, people still use cowrie shells in their jewellery. 

Why Gold jewelery was so popular in Africa?

The uses of gold were mainly in African gold jewelry, particularly for decoration. Senegal is one of the West African countries best known for its gold work, which produces intricate and complex pieces. Although many Europeans claim that these are their own inventions! Indeed, Sengalese women would adorn themselves with gold to project a global image and status.

Another example of importance of gold in africa is King Tutankhamun’s death mask. It exemplifies how significant gold and the three colours were in ancient Egyptian society.

How to wear your African Gold Jewellery

African jewelry is getting more well-known, but some women find styling the pieces difficult. That’s why we’ve offer these suggestions for wear your African-inspired statement pieces confidently.

• Simple is elegant

African accessories look best when styled with simple clothing. When wearing eye-catching African jewellery, avoid pretty designs and adornments such as sparkle. Remember that you want your jewellery to stand out, so mix and match with caution.

Wear a simple black dress with one or two eye-catching items. While jeans and a black shirt will provide the ideal backdrop for something big and bold. When wearing colourful and intricate African accessories, stick to neutral colours.

• Wear the right bracelet with your african necklace

Cuff bracelets are a common African accessory. Wear a cuff with an elegantly-fitting solid-color long-sleeved shirt for a more striking look. 

You can also consider wearing a rope bracelet along with your necklace. But avoid wearing more than 6 bracelets since keeping yourself simple and elegant is the main rule of wearing African jewellery.