| The Ancient Greeks were aficionados of
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| | amethyst, cornelian, garnet, rock crystal
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| jewelry, wearing simple to complex
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| | and chalcedony during Hellenic rule.
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| jewelry often complemented with effigies
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| | Etruscan jewelry, highly influenced by
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| of the Greek Gods Eros, Nike, Artemis,
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| | Greek culture, produced a large amount of
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| Isis and Aphrodite. Mycenae, the ancient
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| | intricate and ornate jewelry styles that
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| Grecian city ruled by King Agamemnon, was
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| | further influenced the Romans. The
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| the center for jewelry production in the
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| | Etruscans developed granulation (where
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| 2nd millennium B.C. The Mycenaeans
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| | the surface of gold was soldered with
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| created jewelry of beads in the shape of
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| | tiny grains of gold to create a delicate
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| animals and shells, gold, amethyst,
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| | pattern) dated to the 7th century BC. By
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| emeralds, pearls, agate and other
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| | the end of the Etruscan Period, as they
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| semi-precious stones in the evolution of
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| | were absorbed by the Roman Empire in the
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| their jewelry production from 1,400 BC-
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| | 3rd century BC, the ornate designs were
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| 300 BC.
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| | replaced by more austere qualities and
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| The Greeks created the cameo, produced by
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| | filigree (fine wire work with silver or
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| using an agate stone striated with pink,
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| | gold) was utilized. The Phoenicians
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| cream or brown also called Indian
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| | contributed colorful beads, inlay and
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| Sardonyx. As jewelry design and
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| | enameling. Rings of this period included
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| techniques became more complex, they
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| | a scarab or single set gemstones in an
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| developed a laurel wreath to be worn as a
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| | oval formation set in an engraved bezel.
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| crown of honor by scholars and heroes,
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| | As the Romans came to power the
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| sacred laurel leaves represented Apollo,
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| | craftsmanship of jewelry included many
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| the god of prophecy and intellect.
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| | natural resources found in the vast
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| Pendant earrings bedecked with Nike, Eros
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| | regions of the Mediterranean and European
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| or dove figurines became popular fashion
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| | continents. Romans invented the brooch
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| of the times. Pendants in the shape of
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| | which was used primarily for holding
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| Amphorae (the classic two-handled vase
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| | robes together. Gold continued to figure
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| shape) ornamented with enamel or
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| | prominently and hemispheres constructed
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| gemstones, hung by a rosette and capped
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| | into bracelets, earrings and necklaces
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| with the crown of Isis. Spherical or wide
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| | came into fashion. Bronze, pearls, bone,
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| chains of gold were worn as necklaces
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| | emerald and glass beads were used,
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| with hanging calyxes or fruit and clasps
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| | complementing the gold settings. Although
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| of animal heads or dolphins. The Greeks
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| | early Roman jewelry style borrowed from
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| were fond of wearing gold wreaths as
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| | established Greek and Etruscan design,
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| ornamental headdresses, elaborately
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| | new motifs such as the Heracles knot (two
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| decorated with flowers, acorns, foliage
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| | loops intertwined) with an apotropaic
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| or images of Eros and Nike. Greek gold
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| | figurine for averting evil spirits or bad
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| rings were set with gemstones or
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| | luck was introduced. In 330BC, hoop
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| sealstones (containing an engraving used
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| | earrings became fashionable with finial
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| for seals).
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| | elements of animal heads, figure of Eros,
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| After the fall of Greece by Alexander the
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| | maenads and negroes. Cameo portraits on
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| Great's viscious conquest, the
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| | rings and pendants and coiled gold
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| Hellenistic age begins, dating 330-27BC.
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| | snake-shaped bracelets made an appearance
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| Jewelry of this time was influenced by
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| | at this time. Upper class women of Roman
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| the Far East and Egypt, initiating new
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| | times wore extensive amounts of jewelry
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| fashions, tastes and styles not only in
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| | and men were expected to adorn themselves
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| jewelry design but overall aesthetics of
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| | with a minimum of one ring, made of gold
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| life. Gold became the dominating metal
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| | or carved stone including a seal stone
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| accompanied by gemstones such as
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| | for wax-sealing important documents.
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