Interested in the jewelry people wore in the past? I mean way, way in the past? Then you won’t want to miss “Masterpieces of Ancient Jewelry: Exquisite Objects from the Cradle of Civilization,” an exhibit sponsored by The National Jewelry Institute.

This exhibit showcases 120 jewelry objects and accessories from ancient near Eastern cultures, including Mesopotamia, the Levant, Persia, Byzantium, and Islam. Some of the treasures you can see are a gold appliqué dating back to the 13th or 14th century BC; a Byzantine necklace glittering with gold, Oriental pearls, emerald, sapphire, garnet, spinel, amethyst, and colored glass; and 12th century gold earrings from Iran. Many of the pieces feature ancient techniques still practiced today, such as granulation, filigree, engraving, and fusion welding.

“Masterpieces of Ancient Jewelry” will be on display at the Forbes Galleries in New York City through December 31. Then the exhibit moves to The Field Museum in Chicago from February 13 to July 5, 2009.