METALS, PRECIOUS AND SEMIS-PRECIOUS STONES FASCINATION AND ART

The article aims to present some of the legends surrounding precious metals and precious stones, followed by legal aspects and a brief historical overview and concluding with the fascination that precious metals and stones have for people. Precious metals and precious stones function as a signal of a person�s high social status in society. Thus, they are the insignia of powerful people; the vehicle by which a person can climb the social ladder. Precious metals and precious stones, because of their aesthetic, disturbing qualities, entered into the myths and legends of antiquity, fascinated people�s minds, and were a mystery and an attraction. The fascination that precious metals and precious stones have always held for man has led to a whole series of research into their influence on the human psyche. The overwhelming psychological influence of precious stones and metals is explained by the fact that they are able to provide the need for physical survival and security, which psychologist Abraham Maslow considered to be paramount for a balanced personality. After people learned to work gold and silver, gemstones and precious metals were combined to create jewels. Jewelry made of gold, silver and ivory was then spread by merchants to the countries of the Mediterranean basin. Artists and jewelry designers through their collaborations with artists in the fields of art, fashion led to the creation of remarkable works of art or impressive clothing collections.