Jewellery in Horizon-Zero Dawn

In the video-game,  Horizon Zero Dawn you play as Aloy, a hunter in a world overrun by machines, large robotic creatures that our human hunt for parts. It takes place many generations after a forgotten apocalypse where civilizations were reduced back to a kind of primitive state.

Her jewellery evolves throughout the game as she rises in rank and unlocks more resilient outfits.

Aloy at the start of the game as an outcast before she initiated into the tribe.

Her jewellery is made from found objects like machine parts, plastics, cords, wires and wood. It is also symbolically important as it represents a place in the tribe as hunter as well as reflecting their nomadic values and beliefs

 Aloy after she is initiated into the tribe and takes on her role as a Seeker.

The Nora( her tribe) worship nature as the 'All Mother' they are  very spiritual hunter-gatherers. in their tribe the higher your status or importance the more accessories they seem to have and they just get bigger and bolder.

The nature of excessive and bold jewellery is a common trait in nomadic tribes as it was a means of high status and portable wealth.

Khampa Woman, Tibet.

Rich nomadic Khampas favor precious metal and jewels as a store of wealth because they are easily transported.

Their culture is very conservative about the type of ornaments favored: for thousands of years jewelry made from amber, turquoise and coral have been worn because the stones are believed to hold spiritual power.

Gold and Silver are naturally found in Tibet and carry great social status, with the gold pieces commonly featuring Buddhist designs.

To the Khampa people these pieces have the utmost sentimental value and significance, because they are the physical remnants of generations of their ancestors hard work or success.