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Influence on Roman Jewelry Today

How Has Roman Jewelry Influenced The Jewelry Industry Today?

Brief History of Roman Jewelry

Jewelry has been a part of human history for thousands of years. The history of jewelry is a long one, with many different cultures and eras. The history of jewelry can be traced back to almost 2,000 BC in the Near East, where beads were made from shell and stone. It is likely jewelry has been around as long as humans have been on this planet, but it was the ancient Greeks, Egyptians, and Romans that brought jewelry to the level of beauty and artistry that we appreciate to this day. They each developed their own unique skills and  techniques that many goldsmiths still utilize in modern jewelry.

 

The Romans made a lasting impact on the art of jewelry and goldsmithing. Ancient Rome to the Renaissance, jewelry has been worn to signify wealth, status, and beauty. The ancient Romans were among the first civilizations to popularize jewelry, creating intricate pieces with a variety of materials including gold, silver, bronze, precious stones, rubies, and pearls. Throughout the centuries, the materials used to make jewelry have evolved, but the same appreciation for its craftsmanship has remained.

 

The Romans created jewelry for both practical and decorative purposes. They made pendants to hang from the neck or waist, bracelets, rings, and earrings with a variety of precious stones set into them. Jewelry was also made for purely aesthetic reasons, with decorative threads and ribbons woven into the pieces and small beads or pearls attached.

The Romans Impact on Modern Jewelry

Today, jewelry continues to be a popular accessory, a reminder of its long and illustrious history. Jewelry is a symbol of luxury and sophistication and is used to express individual style and personality. A wide range of materials are now used to create jewelry, from high end metals to semi-precious and precious gemstones. Jewelry is also a great way to commemorate special occasions and milestones, whether it’s a wedding, a birthday, or an anniversary.

Hammered Oval Bezel Ring with Blue Sapphire by J Briggs


Jewelry has come a long way since Ancient Rome. While the modern pieces may not be quite as intricate as those of the past, they still hold the same appreciation for craftsmanship and beauty. Jewelry is a timeless accessory and will no doubt continue to be a popular item for years to come.

 

Sources:

  1. “Jewellery in Ancient Rome.” The British Museum, www.britishmuseum.org/learn/educational_resources/art_and_design/jewellery_in_ancient_rome

 

  1. “Jewelry Through the Ages.” International Gem Society, www.gemsociety.org/article/jewelry-through-the-ages/

 

  1. “Jewelry of Ancient Rome.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, www.ancient.eu/article/904/jewelry-of-ancient-rome/

 

  1. “Jewelry Through the Ages.” National Jeweler, www.nationaljeweler.com/fashion/jewelry-styles/jewelry-through-the-ages

 

Gold Karats

What is the difference between Gold Karats?

Gold is one of the most popular metals in the world. It’s been used for thousands of years and is still popular today. Gold jewelry is a great way to add some extra bling to an outfit or to give as a gift. But what exactly makes gold jewelry so special? There are actually a few different types of gold, and each one has its own unique properties. This article will go over the different types of gold, how they’re made, and why they’re so popular.

Gold is a precious metal that has been used for centuries in jewelry, art, coins, and other forms of decoration. It’s a popular choice for wedding rings, engagement rings, and other fine jewelry. 

The answer lies in its properties. Gold is a soft metal that is very malleable and ductile. It also has a high level of corrosion resistance and doesn’t tarnish easily, making it a great choice for jewelry that will last a long time. 

There are several different types of gold used in jewelry making. The most common type is yellow gold, which is an alloy of gold and other metals. White gold is a popular choice as well, and is created by adding other metals to yellow gold to create a silvery-white hue. Rose gold is made by adding copper to the alloy, which gives it a pinkish hue.

Gold jewelry is popular for many reasons, but its durability and beauty are among the main reasons. Gold jewelry is timeless and can be passed down from generation to generation. It’s also an excellent choice for special occasions, such as weddings and anniversaries, as it can be a beautiful and meaningful gift.

Gold jewelry is an excellent choice for those looking to add some extra bling to their outfit or to give as a special gift. With its unique properties and timeless beauty, gold is a great choice for jewelry that will last for generations. So, if you’re looking for a special piece of jewelry, consider gold – it’s a classic for a reason!

All you need to know about each Karat

  • 10 karat gold is the lowest karat of gold available. It has the lowest gold content of 41.7%, which means it is mixed with other alloys to increase its strength and durability. As 10 karat gold is the least expensive of the gold karats, it is a popular choice for everyday jewelry and fashion accessories and sometimes paired with 14kt plating to give it better color.

 

  • 14 karat gold is the most popular choice for gold jewelry and is the gold karat that is used most often in the jewelry industry. It has a gold content of 58.3%, which means it contains less gold than 18 karat gold but is still considered high quality. 

 

  • 18 karat gold is a higher quality gold karat that is often used in luxury jewelry pieces. It has a gold content of 75% and is the most commonly used karat for high-end jewelry pieces. 18 karat gold is more expensive than 14 karat gold and is usually used in more expensive jewelry pieces such as diamond rings. This is typically associated with top of the line jewelry and has a great color and weight to it.  

 

  • 22 karat gold is the highest quality gold karat and is often used in high-end jewelry pieces. It has a gold content of 91.7%, which means it is even more gold than 18 karat gold. It is very expensive and often rare. Only used in luxurious pieces upon special request. A great Karat if money is no issue and you want the color of 24 karat without the lack of durability.

 

  • 24 karat gold is the purest form of gold and has a gold content of 99.9%. It is the most expensive of all the gold karats and very rare and used in high-end jewelry pieces that are typically for special occasions. However, it is not as durable as the lower karats and is not as often used in jewelry pieces.

 

In conclusion, there are many types of gold karats available ranging from 10 karat gold to 24 karat gold. 10 karat gold is the least expensive and is often used in everyday jewelry pieces, while 24 karat gold is the most expensive and is usually used in high-end jewelry pieces. The most popular karat for everyday jewelry pieces is 14 karat gold, while 18 karat gold is the most popular for luxury jewelry pieces.

All That Shines ~ More on Alloys

What do you think of when you hear the word GOLD? A vault of ingots at Fort Knox? Lost treasures from forgotten empires? Or maybe you have the same thing on your mind that I do … fabulous jewelry! I thought we could expand on our last blog about White Gold vs Platinum, and explore metal alloys a little deeper. Did you know that when it comes to gold jewelry, there are more options than the traditional yellow and white  gold familiar to most people?

Gold alloys come in a variety of stunning colors that can really make a piece of jewelry stand out from the crowd. In addition to yellow gold, most people have heard of white gold, but the options don’t stop there. Gold can also be rose, red, or pink, green, blue, purple, and even black.

What is the difference among these various hues? Let’s start with an explanation of “pure,” or 24K gold. Pure gold has no other metals mixed into it. Other gold classes, such as 10K (41.7% gold), 14k (58.5%) or 18K (75%) gold contain a smaller percentage of gold that is combined with other metals such as silver or copper. These types of gold are technically alloys because other metals are mixed into the pure gold. The higher the karat, the richer the gold tone. For people with sensitive skin, sometimes the other metals can cause skin irritation. Higher karat gold (18k & 22k) and Platinum (90-95%) are the most hypoallergenic metal for jewelry- but you already know all about Platinum from our last post!

 

So let’s start with our pure gold and mix in some different types of metal to make things more interesting.

 

White Gold: While some people prefer to have their gemstones set in platinum, white gold is a great alternative for those who prefer a silver hue to their gold jewelry. White gold can be mixed with manganese, nickel, or palladium to achieve its signature color. Standard white gold is a combination of 14K gold and a mix of copper, nickel, and zinc. White gold is often plated in rhodium to increase its shine. It is often necessary to re-plate after a year or two of wear to bring back the bright white color.

Green Gold: Also called electrum, green gold is a naturally-occurring alloy containing both gold and silver. Depending on the ratio of gold to silver, the hue can be subtle or deeper.

Red Golds: For gold to take on a pink, rose, or red hue, it is mixed with copper. The greater the amount of copper present in the alloy, the deeper the shade of red.

 

The following colors are less commonly seen than yellow, white, green, and red, but can still be used in jewelry.

Purple Gold: Purple gold is created by combining gold with aluminum. This alloy is too brittle to us in the traditional sense, but can be cut to look like a gemstone.

 

Blue Gold: A combination of gold and the metal indium or gallium gives gold a subtle, bluish tone. Indium or gallium is present in larger amounts than gold in this alloy.

 

Black Gold: Mixing gold with cobalt allows the surface to be oxidized resulting in black gold.

 

Purple, blue, and black golds can also be created using surface treatments to achieve the desired hue.

It’s important to note that not all gold alloys are appropriate for the same types of jewelry. Some are more malleable, some more brittle. Black, purple, and blue gold pose challenges while white, rose, green and yellow gold can certainly be crafted into traditional jewelry. It’s also worth mentioning that the color variations tend to be subtle.

Filigree Band Wide Band Rose Gold

Filigree Wide Band Green Golsd

 

 

 

 

 

Filligree Wide Band White GoldFiligree Wide Band Yellow Gold

 

 

 

 

 

Filigree Two Tone Wide Band

 

 

 

 

 

 

It can be fun to play around with the different colors of gold when designing a piece of jewelry. Using more than one type of gold within a piece can create a visually arresting alternative to standard yellow or white gold. At J. Briggs, we are happy to explore the different gold varieties with you to achieve exactly the effect you desire.

Gemstone of the Month: Emeralds

The long-standing fascination with emeralds may simply lie in their intense, radiant green color. Although rare in the gemology word, imperfections and inclusions are often tolerated in this beautiful stone, happily overlooked by many in exchange for the visual pleasure that this May birthstone brings. The bigger issue affecting the significant price and marketability of emeralds is the presence of a rich, dark green color.

Emeralds have a good hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and belong to the large gemstone family of the beryls. Pure beryl is colorless. The colors do not occur until traces of another element are added. In the case of the emerald, it is mainly chromium and vanadium, concentrated (unusually) in different parts of the Earth’s crust. The tension created during this process produces some minor flaws in the stone – and some major ones. Only seldom is a large emerald with good color and transparency found, which is the primary reason emeralds are so valuable.

Rubies, sapphires and emeralds form the “big three” of colored stones, generating more economic activity than all other colored stones combined. In the last several years, the value of emeralds imported into the U.S. exceeded the value of rubies and sapphires combined.

Today, many emeralds are enhanced with colorless oils or resins. Although a common industry practice, it is done so with the caution of consequence, as these green treasures react very sensitively. While the hardness of emeralds protect it from scratches, its many fissures can make cutting, setting and cleaning rather difficult. When cutting takes place, the substances used or applied seals the fine pores in the surface of the gem. Removing them gives the stone a “matte” appearance. Emerald rings should also always be taken off before the wearer puts his or her hands in water containing cleansing agent and they cannot be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath.

A hard, but not tough stone, perhaps the lure of the emerald can be summed up by Roman Philosopher Pliny the Elder’s writing that “green gladdened the eye without tiring it.” True enough, the love affair with emeralds continues to evoke emotions in jewelry lovers everywhere.

 

10 Most Popular Cuts of Diamonds

Adopted from the Greek work “adamas,” meaning invincible, diamonds come in a wide range of colors such as black, blue, green, pink, red, purple, orange and yellow.

If you have a hard time remembering what different cuts of diamonds look like or are called, here’s your perfect cheat sheet for the Top 10 Cuts for the birthstones of our April babies:

 

ROUND: The most popular shape — owning nearly 75% of all diamonds sold — round cuts are considered superior to ornate shapes. At the proper reflection of light, their maximum potential brightness outshines the competition.

ALYSSARG-FRONT1b

Diamond Eternity Engagement Ring

PRINCESS: The princess cut diamond is the most popular ornate diamond shape, especially for engagement rings. Like rounds, princess cuts are practical choices because of their flexibility in working in almost any style of ring.

PR-HALO

Cushion Halo Princess Cut Center Diamond           Engagement Ring

 

OVAL: The oval diamond has an elongated shape often creating the illusion of being a larger diamond.

ovalfinal-new

Three Stone Oval Diamond Ring with Trillion Sapphires

MARQUISE: This cut is football-shaped. Because the marquise diamond is long and narrow, it can also create the illusion of greater size. Carat for carat, the marquise diamond has one of the largest surface areas of any diamond shape.

FINAL

Marquise Halo Diamond Ring

PEAR-SHAPED: The pear-shaped diamond is a combination of a round and a marquise shape, with a tapered point on one end. In a perfect world, this type of diamond should have very good symmetry, with the point lining up with the apex of the rounded end, and the shoulders and wings (the upper and lower curves on the right and left side of the diamond) should be uniform.

Bezel Three Stone Diamond Halo Engagement Ring with Pear Side Stones

Bezel Three Stone Diamond Halo Engagement Ring with  Pear Side Stones

CUSHION: The cushion cut diamond combines a square cut with rounded corners, much like a pillow (its namesake!). This classic cut has been around for almost 200 years. Refinements have led to a resurgence in popularity for this lovely cut.

Three Stone Cushion Woven Diamond Engagement Ring & Wedding Band Set

Three Stone Cushion Woven Diamond                     Engagement Ring & Wedding Band Set

EMERALD CUT: The emerald cut is quite unique. Although not designed to sparkle, by interchanging light and dark planes during refinement, a “hall-of-mirrors” effect is achieved — a beautiful illusion that creates extraordinary broad flashes of white light to contrast the dark planes. This “step cut” process varies from the more traditional “brilliant cut” method, which provides more sparkle. Emerald cut diamonds will make inclusions or body color easier to see.

JPARRY-FINAL2_reimaged

Emerald Diamond Dome Ring

ASSCHER CUT: First produced in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland, an asscher cut diamond is similar to the emerald cut, but in a square shape with larger step facets, a higher crown, and a smaller table (the uppermost, flat surface of a diamond). This combination often produces more brilliance (sparkle!) than the emerald cut.

Asscher-PD2

Asscher Diamond Pave Pendant

RADIANT CUT: The radiant cut creates a vibrant and lively diamond with a modified square shape, a nice bridge between a cushion and a princess cut, making it look stunning when set with both rounded or square cornered diamonds.

Radiant Art Deco Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Radiant Art Deco Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

HEART SHAPED: There’s no mistaking a heart-shaped diamond. Popular in solitaire pendants as well as rings, heart-shaped cuts are best utilized with diamonds more .50 carats in size, since the heart shape is more difficult to recognize in smaller stones, once set in prongs.

Wavey Heart Diamond Wide Band

Wavey Heart Diamond Wide Band

Versatility

Fine jewelry can serve as an elegant compliment to your wardrobe…the “completion” factor of an outfit. And let’s face it, jewelry is an investment, so maximizing the wearability of your pieces is key.

Take your style from casual to chic and errands to evening with versatile creations that can be changed up in different ways.

By choosing pieces that will allow you to create multiple looks, you’ll ensure unworn jewels will be a thing of the past.

Opt for you a long necklace that can be wrapped shorter with a pendant to give a layered, tiered look. Studs worn to the office can be transformed into breathtaking showstoppers by affixing a diamond or pearl drop or earring “jacket” surrounding the stud. Or imagine a stunning three-hoop necklace that can be changed into a set of stackable rings.

Three ring versa (metals)

Versa 3-Ring-Necklace (Silver)

Three Ring Versa Set Ring & Versa Necklace: Three rings become a single ring, convert into a necklace & can be worn several different ways.