The concept of decorating one’s body for one purpose or another has been around for as long as history can be documented. The earliest proven tattoo to date currently reaches as far back as 3,300 BCE. Humans have long sought new and inventive ways of expressing themselves through body modifications and indelible art—but for some, they looked for alternative methods which were perhaps less permanent.

How it all Began

The history of body jewellery seems to have its beginnings in the prehistoric days. It is thought, by some, that adorning the body with jewellery came before these early men and women began covering themselves with clothing fabrics. Of course, with little to no written history—just a few scratches and paintings etched into cave walls—it is hard to say for sure. However, several items have been unearthed over the years which suggest these prehistoric humans did indeed utilize common area items to enhance their appearance. Jewellery pieces crafted from fish bones, teeth, sea shells, pebbles, antlers, tusks, and other such items have been discovered over the many years of anthropological study.

As these nomadic people began to settle, creating socialized city-structures and dwellings, new materials began to be utilized for adorning oneself. Precious metals, such as gold and valuable stones, started appearing in the crude forms of body jewellery being crafted during this era. As the years passed, more forms of jewellery came into production—from crowns, diadems, tiaras, hairpins, combs, earrings, nose rings, lip rings, and earplugs.

Jewellery quickly became a way to identify an individual’s class upon sight. With addition of rich fabrics, precious stones and metals allowed the upper class of these new and developing societies to show off their stature. Some of the most intricate and detailed pieces have been located in tombs of Egyptian pharaohs or in the graves of Sumerian royalty, spreading to nobles and property owners as we approach the more modern periods of time such as the Middle Ages and Renaissance through to the Victorian eras.

Regardless of its use, whether to show class or enhance appearance, it’s clear that jewellery has been an important part of human culture for as long as recorded. As we make our way through 2017, we’re seeing new accessory trends develop and new brands hitting the market. It’s an exciting time to be a jeweler, with all of the new methods and materials available, and an even more exciting time to be a consumer!

New Jewellery Lines Available at Black Line Studio

Here at Black Line Studio, we recognize and respect the basic human desire to decorate one’s body. As Toronto’s number one tattoo, piercing, and removal studio, we’ve made it our mission to offer the best of the best in body art to those seeking new and exciting ways to express their individuality. In carrying forth this tradition, we’re now offering two innovative lines of fashion jewellery, fresh to the Black Line Studio retail lineup: Monserat De Lucca and Pyrrha.

Monserat De Lucca is a high-end fashion line that has been internationally recognized for its creativity and eclectic designs. The majority of Monserate De Lucca’s line is hand-crafted in their small West Los Angelos design studio, giving each piece a one of a kind feel. Pyrrha is a jewellery line on the up and up. This coveted brand is no stranger to the screen, appearing in television and movie productions such as Game of Thrones, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Into the Forest, Once Upon a Time, Star Trek: Beyond, and iZombie.

No matter how you’re looking to adorn your body and declare your individuality, Black Line Studio has the method and the materials to make that happen. Be sure to stop in and see what we can do for you!