1) In 2007, Christie’s auction house had jewelry sales totaling almost $400 million, an increase of 11% over 2006 totals and 27% over 2005.

2) The word jewelry is derived from the word jewel, which is the anglicized version of the Old French "jouel".

3) During early times jewelry was created for practical uses such as wealth, storage, and pinning clothes together.

4) The longest continuous legacy of jewelry making in the world belongs to India, and stretches back 5000 years.

5) In ancient Rome, only certain ranks of people could wear rings.

6) Wedding rings for men first became a popular American tradition during the early 20th century.

7) Islam considers the wearing of gold by men to be a social taboo.

8) A popular symbol used in Jewish jewelry is the Hamsa (or "Hamesh hand"), which often features three fingers raised.

9) The modern jewelry movement began after World War II, and was fuelled by the works of designers like Fulco Di Verdura and David Webb.

10) According to recent studies, the largest jewelry market is the United States with a market share of 30.8%, followed by Japan, India and China and the Middle East each with 8 - 9%, and Italy with 5%.