Chalcedony Necklace
Chalcedony Necklace
Jewelry (joias) is a fascinating fashion accessory that has been popular from ancient times. It has played a variety of roles including political, religious and ornamental, and jewelry artefacts have helped modern historians shape pictures of the daily lives of ancient civilisations.
Jewelry in ancient Rome is no exception. There are literary accounts and pictorial depiction such as in the Regina tombstone, plus an abundance of other artefacts available that help us to understand the role jewelry played during this fascinating time.
Jewelry (joias) was worn by men and women though it was subject to conventions of the time; particularly with regards to the appearance of men. Male jewelry was typically practical in nature. Men usually wore a single ring. The ring would serve a functional purpose. Typically a signet ring, the male jewelry item was used to seal official documentation. The male signet ring was initially iron but was later produced in gold as it displayed status and wealth more clearly.
Other practical uses of the signet ring included the inlay being a type of key for a strong box. Literary evidence suggests that propriety regarding male jewelry (joias) was ignored by a minority of fashion fanatics, as with any other social group. Trends and attitudes also changed from the time of Emperor Augustus. The emperors were established with official state clothing during his reign which included jewelry as a display of status and power.
Jewelry also had a protective function in ancient Rome. Boys wore an item of jewelry known as a bullah. This was worn from being a baby. It was worn around the neck and was a form of chain with a pouch which contained an amulet. This was a jewelry item worn by most classes, but the rich upper class had bullahs made of gold. The amulet was often phallic in design, as boys were considered to be the stronger species and so needed protection. Another jewelry (joias) item worn by boys was a small gold ring which was again carved with a phallus for good luck
With regards to women, jewelry (joias) was first and foremost a display of wealth and status. Women had no obvious status distinction through their dress like Roman men. Therefore, hairstyles and jewelry were the only distinction possible. The importance of jewelry to the status of women is apparent through certain historical events. When the Oppian law was passed in 195BC curbing the use of jewelry and suggesting it be handed over for war materials, women demonstrated against this in the streets. During the campaigns of Marcus Curellius, women chose to donate their jewelry (joias) to get enough gold to send a huge gold vase as an offering to Delphi. Their behaviour was rewarded with speeches at funerals which had previously been only for men.
The type and amount of jewelry worn by women varied, but the richest women were the most flamboyant in terms of amount and style. Amber jewelry (joias) was only worn by lower class women and was thought vulgar by the wealthy who favoured gold jewelry. Other items used to make jewelry include pearls, coloured glass beads and polished stones. These would be inset in gold and would vary in size and style, depending upon status. It was possible to tell a lot about a woman in ancient rome by the jewelry she wore.
The types of jewelry worn include necklaces with adornments such as pendants, amulets. Fibula which are similar to safety pins were used as fasteners and so were often adorned to make them a piece of jewelry that was both function and beautiful. Earrings were popular and came in both hoop and drop styles. Rings were usually inset with stones or carvings.
Particularly popular jewelry (joias) items were engraved gems which were referred to as intaglio. These were gems such as carnelian, jasper and chalcedony that had a sunken or engraved image, created with the use of wheels and drills.
Tomb jewelry findings suggest that bracelets were usually worn in pairs with one on each arm. Some tombs have revealed up to 7 items of jewelry on each arm which shows how the conventions for men and women differed. Even gold thread hairnets have been discovered.
This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author's name and all the URLs (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.
About the Author:
This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the Article section of page www.polomercantil.com.br/joias.php
Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Jewelry in Ancient Rome
 Silpada Oxidized Sterling Silver Black Chalcedony necklace N1611  US $33.99
|
 Navy Blue Shell Pearl Triple Flower Bouquet Choker US $36.99
|
 150cts ELITE BLACK ONYX OVAL SILVER BEADS PENDANT ARTISAN NECKLACE 18 M9351 US $31.00
|
 Long Double White Red Flowers Mix Stone Rope Necklace US $43.99
|
 Blue Floral Lace Lapis and Pearl Crystal Wrap Necklace US $36.99
|
 Lapis and Black Pearl Floral Choker Necklace US $36.99
|
 Silpada multi stone Sterling Silver necklace and earrings US $59.50
|
 Silpada multi stone Brass and Sterling Silver stretch bracelet US $49.50
|
 Silpada multi stone Brass and Sterling Silver necklace US $86.00
|
 Offerings Sajen Aquamarine and Amethyst Ring size 7 US $39.00
|
 Vermeil Artigiano Aqua Chalcedony Earrings Necklace Set OAS US $79.95
|
 DESIGNER Gray Pearl Double Strand Chalcedony Tear Drop Pendant Necklace US $49.00
|
 Authentic Blue chalcedony necklase with silver pendant US $300.00
|
 BLUE LACE AGATE CHALCEDONY AMETHYST PERIDOT CRYSTAL QUARTZ SS NECKLACE US $64.99
|
 Blue Skies Handcrafted Sterling Silver Chalcedony Pendant Necklace Novica US $124.99
|
 Long Double Red Coral Flowers Nuggets Wax Rope Necklace US $43.99
|
 REDUCED RARE BRECCIATED MOOKAITE JASPER AKOYA PEARLS NECKLACE EARRINGS US $44.83
|
 Silpada Designs Chalcedony Microcrystalline Quartz necklace 925 sterling US $75.00
|
 Crochet Bubble Triple Strand Red Coral Necklace US $36.99
|
 Anne Sportun 18K Gold Multi Stone Necklace US $633.00
|
 Dreamy Blue TurquoiseChalcedony Stone Flower Necklace US $73.99
|
 Item 46 33 porcelain glass garnet lapis lazuli jasper chalcedony necklace US $44.99
|
 Hand Crafted Necklace Rose Quartz and Pink Chalcedony US $59.99
|
 Balinese Chalcedony and Sterling Silver Pendant Necklace Bali Black Cord Fine US $89.99
|
 Memory Wire Pink Pearl Floral Cluster Choker US $36.99
|
 Pearl Chalcedony Quartz Necklace Sweet Cascade Novica US $59.95
|
 Pretty Chalcedony and Turquoise Sterling Silver Necklace US $50.00
|
 Turquoise Gaspeite Coral Lapis Lazuli Chalcedony Tigers Eye Pendant 925 SSS US $69.00
|
 Nicky Butler Raj 164ct Green Chalcedony Sterling Silver 17 Drop Necklace US $249.00
|
 Nicky Butler Raj 2124ct Green Chalcedony Beautiful Limited Edition $419 US $269.00
|
 Victorian Blue Chalcedony Italian Sterling Filigree Bracelet Pendant Necklace US $500.00
|
 Wendy Mink Pendant Necklace Turquoise Lt Blue Chalcedony signed Necklace US $74.99
|
 Sterling Silver Gemstone 2 Strand Necklace Blue Topaz Chalcedony Peridot Pearl US $67.77
|
 Silpada Sterling Silver Chalcedony Pendant Necklace US $35.99
|
 Silpada Sterling Silver Hematite Pearl Chalcedony Necklace US $32.99
|
 Author inspired handmade necklace from Joanne Huspek value $500 US $93.00 |
 14kt yellow gold red and green carnelian 24” necklace US $199.00
|
02 of enero 2007
For fashion accessories designer Cindy Cellini, Santa Monica, California
Flower designs are very hot, such as semi precious pedant necklaces. Add a feminine touch to everything you wear pink flower and jewelry is very flattering. The black and white colors are very big now, it looks super cool and elegant to when matching these colors with silver chains, silver earrings and silver necklaces.
Another trend in fashion is big sunny colors like orange, yellow, green and blue, which Sun kissed hues are a great eye catching combinations, for example, imagine a string of adventures jade red (orange), red carnelian, adventure jade green and yellow gold topaz crystals - use these combinations of semi-precious stones will tell you much attention! Jewelry is very transparent fashion, mostly quartz jewelry, clear quartz, rose quartz and smoky quartz, are even more fashionable when compared with glass beads - it's sparkle and see through the celebration!
Blue is the color of the season, that much green, yellow and white, there are so many beautiful shades of blue in nature, and when combined with sparkling crystals Austrian becomes a perfect match! No doubt that is turquoise blue queen, I find it fascinating how the color of turquoise stone, is not strong, being the stand out from afar.
For example, imagine a necklace, where the slope is turquoise blue light, in addition to the sapphire crystal, agate stones of light, and white freshwater pearls - this match is the harmonious combination of colors such that it feels like the colors in the sky! It also feels very good and comfortable when you look with your eyes, like the blue sky, blue ocean and white clouds. For more information and photos go to:
jewelry Wholesale
About the Author:
Fashion accessories and jewelry designer Cindy Cellini, Santa Monica, California
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Spring 2007 Jewelry and Fashion Trends