History separates our president from his crown. I speak not of the power of office to slash and burn its citizenry. Instead it is the crown which represents the adornment of precious metals by leaders of the ancient world. Once, jewelry was the ornamental expression of power. Ancient Egyptians were experts at gold production and jewelry design often expressing some tenant of their belief system. The Pharaohs would bury themselves with gold in order to enter the next life wealthily. The Greeks adorned jewelry as an symbol of greatness insisting on massive pieces set with gemstones. Kings and Queens throughout the history Europe have worn crowns, perhaps the most recognizable symbol of power as produced by goldsmiths and jewelry makers.
Along the way the powers that be have traded in their crowns for suits and thrones for bullet proof limousines. Jewelry has been regulated to personal expression of style and not necessarily a symbol of power. Crowns can be seen at a school play or museum when they once required anyone close enough to sink to his/her knees and kiss the hand of the ever loving master. Other than military garb there are almost no symbols of jewelry as an...