Gems and Identity: Redefining Jewellery as Cultural Heritage in the Modern Age

This article presents a novel conceptual framework for understanding jewellery as a dynamic carrier of cultural memory, identity, and heritage. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from anthropology, material culture studies, and art history, it argues that gemstones and jewellery function as active agents in the construction and transmission of cultural narratives. Through the introduction of the concept of "heritage gems," the study examines how stones accumulate layered meanings across time and space, serving as tangible links between individual expression and collective belonging. The article further explores contemporary shifts in jewellery practice, including ethical sourcing, technological innovation, and digital representation, positioning jewellery as an evolving medium responsive to broader socio-cultural transformations. This framework offers new directions for curatorial practice, heritage policy, and interdisciplinary research.