Jewelry history education

Searching for information about the history of jewelry. We have put together this site about some of the more interesting facts on jewelry. We have scoured the internet to find this information. Look around and have fun..

Italian Gold and Roman Coinage

Eight centuries BC the Italian Etruscans in the Tuscany region produced granulated textured gold work. They made large fibulae or clasps, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. They also made pendants that were hollow and could be filled with perfume. The Italians are still renowned for high quality stylish trend making gold work today.

In coinage the Romans used 18 and 24 carat gold. Being fairly easily available the coinage was the craftsman's raw material for decorative jewel work. 2000 years ago the Romans were using sapphires from Sri Lanka, cloudy emeralds, garnets, amber and Indian diamond crystals. When England was under Roman rule, fossilized wood called jet from the North of England was carved into interesting pieces.

During the Roman Empire Christians would pull the "ichthys" (fish) jewelry from underneath their garments to identify themselves to other Christians to gain entry into secret, forbidden worship activities.
The Jewish scholar of that same time would write passages from Jewish law on tiny slips of parchment and carefully insert the slips into a small, golden amulet that was worn around his neck. This of act
reverence and piety was meant to keep the law close to the heart.