Jewellery has long been seen as a display of wealth, a form of artistic display or even to offer quasi-magical protection in the form of amulets. The precious and decorative nature of jewellery makes it a perfect gift for a loved one, an expression of prosperity or a decorative adornment.

Many jewellery items did initially begin as functional items - such as buckles and brooches. These gradually became more decorative in nature and less functional, and most jewellery items now serve a minimal function at best. Many cultures kept wealth stored in jewellery, but the modern world tends to use jewellery mainly as personal adornment.

Many items and types of jewellery exude significant symbolic meaning. This can be a simple idea, such as a love-heart shaped pendant signifying romantic feeling, but many items of jewellery have religious undertones. Jewellery in the shape of a crucifix signifies the wearer is a devout Christian; similarly a wearer of the Jewish Star is making a statement about their religion.

Perhaps the best known of these symbolic uses of jewellery is the Western practice of wearing a ring to demonstrate that one is married.

One can in fact find jewellery made from virtually every kind of known metal alloy, and the most popular metals have changes over the centuries. Precious metals tend to the most sought-after in modern fine jewellery - gold, silver, platinum and titanium being particularly of note.

Gold metal is measured for its purity, the highest purity being more expensive. To be labelled as gold, jewellery must be at least 9 karats in the UK, which is actually only around 37.5 gold. Higher levels of gold purity are found in higher quality fine gold jewellery, up to around 18 karats, which is 75 gold in content.

It is possible to get higher levels of purity, but one should be aware that gold is a soft metal, and the mixture of gold with other alloys is not purely motivated by cost. Gold is commonly mixed with other alloys in jewellery to give it increased strength and durability.

Diamonds are the most popular gemstones in use in fine jewellery, and have been used in engagement rings since 1477. Emeralds, rubies and sapphires are the other three main precious stones one finds in modern jewellery, but more exotic jewellery could use Jade, Quartz, or Turquoise. Each gemstone has a rich history in its own right (for example Jade is closely linked with Eastern culture and is sometimes known as the gem of Heaven).

A high street jeweller may have a range of jewellery, focused on those items which are most popular. Small jewellers can specialise in cheaper items or high-end jewellery, or indeed specialise in a certain type such as Celtic jewellery, custom-made jewellery, or antique jewellery.