Amber

• Evidence of amulets and beads made of amber dates back to the 13th century B.C. in south and central Europe. Though unintentional, flowers as well as pollen, insects and other small animals were entombed in the sticky sap and ended up adorning the necks of ancient and modern man.
  
  

Flower Beads

• At around the same time the Greeks were making beads of gold in the shape of beetles, shells and flowers. They would take two flattened bits of gold, join them and then fill with sand.
  
  

The Victorians

• The Victorian era lasted from 1837 to 1901. A popular form of jewelry at the time was the cameo and many were carved to depict flowers.
  
  

Flower Power

• The 1960s brought an air of anything goes to jewelry. In addition to love beads and flapper length necklaces in day glow orange and lime green, flower power Mod jewelry was popular. Many of these items were enameled, and the bolder the color, the better.
  
  

In Remembrance

• Evidence of flowers being a part of funeral services goes back about 62,000 years. Cremation jewelry, intended to carry a bit of ash from a loved one, is sometimes filled with dried flowers received at the funeral service.
  
  

Hawaiian Leis

• These fragrant symbols of aloha dating back to ancient Hawaii may not be as lasting as silver and gold but they can be just as decadent. Traditionally given with a kiss, leis celebrate birthdays, weddings and graduations. Though the plumeria leis are the most common, they can be made of almost any flower or material.