Etymology of Jewel Cases

[columb]

Can anyone help with the etymology of the term Jewel Case for CDs. I've done a quick search using Google but I can't see the wood for the trees. Does anyone know a suitable web site?

Thanks

Columb Healy
Living with a seeker after the truth is infinitely preferable to living with one who thinks they've found it.

 

[KenCunningham]

Sorry can't help specifically, but possibly it's a reflection (pun intended) on the irridescent quality of a CD when light is shone on it?

 

[BillyRayPreachersSon]

Or possibly a reference to CDs being something "that is treasured or esteemed" (dictionary.com definition for jewel)...

Certainly given the high price of CDs when they first came out, most people who were lucky enough to own any usually looked after them with great care.

Dan

 

[Dimandja]

A CD "jewel case" is exactly that. That type of case (flat, square) is used to store jewelry.

Here is a jewel case:

http://www.bridestreasures.com/ShopSite/media/Jewel case.JPG

 

[RodKnowlton]

The cases used to hold cassette tapes are also called jewel cases. I think the reason they're more commonly associated with compact discs is that every cassette came with a case, and they didn't break as often as the thinner CD cases, so there was no need to know what to call the replacement case. Also, you couldn't walk into Wal-Mart and buy a spindle with 100 cassettes on it, with the cases being a separate purchase.

Rod Knowlton
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[mscallisto]

Back when CD's first arrived on the scene, I remember paying $30 for one CD...that was a jewell and certainly required a jewell case for protection.