Necklaces are one of the most ancient jewellery items, dating back to the feather-and-bone necklaces of prehistoric times. But through the ages, increasingly beautiful precious stones were used: agate, lapis lazuli, pearl, rock crystal and plated gold. These stones were believed by many of these ancient civilisations to hold mystical and religious powers. It was only relatively recently in the 17th century Baroque period that male necklaces fell out of fashion, and necklace design became more elegant and feminine.