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The desire for self decoration was one of the strongest instincts of ancient humans and led to the production of jewelry, which was intended both to adorn and to draw attention to the wearer. The magical use of jewelry, too, was known in ancient societies, and jewels were at times meant to emphasize the wealth and status of their wearer, men and women. With humanity's development, the manufacture of jewelry became more and more sophisticated, reaching impressive levels of artistic accomplishment and diversity. Because of their small size, ancient jewels have been preserved better than many other objects, and they provide important material for an understanding of early cultures and customs.  2

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