The Greeks were known for a lot of incredible things, but little is known of their jewelry. The first true examples we have of Ancient Greek Jewelry is pieces that utilize beads shaped in the form of various animals and shells. Around--00 B.C. they started to utilize gemstones and gold into their various jewelry designs. By the time 300 B.C. had rolled around, they had ventured into the area of colored jewelry that utilized amethysts, pearls, and emeralds. They made cameos from a striped down pink and cream agate known as the Indian Sardonyx. As was the case with most cultures, Greek jewelry designs started off simply, but as time progressed, they grew increasingly more elaborate and complex.
Jewelry in Ancient Greece was not worn in the daily lives of the people. It was to be worn during special occasions or while on public appearances. It was a common gift, and women often used it to show off their beauty, social status, and degree of wealth. Jewelry was often deemed to have mystical powers. It was thought to provide the wearer with protection from the "Evil Eye" (i.e.: a look by another person that is thought to send injury or bad luck), or other supernatural powers. Most Greek jewelry of the time was made from gold and silver, with gemstones and ivory, clay and bronze utilized as well.
The Ancient Greeks developed two types of jewelry. These types were: (1) cast jewelry pieces and (2) those that were formulated by hammering out sheet metal. We have only a few examples of these cast jewelry pieces available today. They were made by casting the metal onto two moulds made out of either clay or stone. These two moulds were joined together with wax, and molten metal was poured into the center of the mould. This technique had been passed down since the Ancient Bronze Age. Jewelry made from hammering sheet metal was much more common. Sheet metal was hammered to the desired thickness, and then soldered together.
The Ancient Romans were known for a number of things, but their jewelry is not one of them. They were very fond of brooches, an item which they utilized to to hold their clothing together. As the Roman Empire was vast and huge at the time, they took full advantage of it, importing various materials from the far-flung reaches under their control. In the early years they made a lot of their jewelry out of glass beads and pearls, but in later years they incorporated bone, bronze, and gold. Imported sapphires from Sri Lanka were also popular. They also used Indian diamonds, emeralds, and amber, as well as Sri Lankan sapphires.
Like their neighbors the Greeks, one of the purposes of Roman jewelry was to ward off the "Evil Eye" given by one's enemies. Women wore jewelry all over their bodies, but for men, it was often only a ring on the finger. It was expected that Roman men would wear a ring on one finger, but some Roman men wore a ring on every finger, while others wore no jewelry at all.
Jewelry in Ancient Greece was not worn in the daily lives of the people. It was to be worn during special occasions or while on public appearances. It was a common gift, and women often used it to show off their beauty, social status, and degree of wealth. Jewelry was often deemed to have mystical powers. It was thought to provide the wearer with protection from the "Evil Eye" (i.e.: a look by another person that is thought to send injury or bad luck), or other supernatural powers. Most Greek jewelry of the time was made from gold and silver, with gemstones and ivory, clay and bronze utilized as well.
The Ancient Greeks developed two types of jewelry. These types were: (1) cast jewelry pieces and (2) those that were formulated by hammering out sheet metal. We have only a few examples of these cast jewelry pieces available today. They were made by casting the metal onto two moulds made out of either clay or stone. These two moulds were joined together with wax, and molten metal was poured into the center of the mould. This technique had been passed down since the Ancient Bronze Age. Jewelry made from hammering sheet metal was much more common. Sheet metal was hammered to the desired thickness, and then soldered together.
The Ancient Romans were known for a number of things, but their jewelry is not one of them. They were very fond of brooches, an item which they utilized to to hold their clothing together. As the Roman Empire was vast and huge at the time, they took full advantage of it, importing various materials from the far-flung reaches under their control. In the early years they made a lot of their jewelry out of glass beads and pearls, but in later years they incorporated bone, bronze, and gold. Imported sapphires from Sri Lanka were also popular. They also used Indian diamonds, emeralds, and amber, as well as Sri Lankan sapphires.
Like their neighbors the Greeks, one of the purposes of Roman jewelry was to ward off the "Evil Eye" given by one's enemies. Women wore jewelry all over their bodies, but for men, it was often only a ring on the finger. It was expected that Roman men would wear a ring on one finger, but some Roman men wore a ring on every finger, while others wore no jewelry at all.
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Learn more about Greek and Roman Jewelry. Stop by Betsy Johnson's site where you can find out all about beautiful heart jewelry and what it can do for you.
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