Greek and Hellenistic Jewelry Reproductions

We have a large collection of ancient Greek and Hellenistic rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, cameos and coin jewelry. The Greeks started using gold and gems in jewelry in 1600 BC, although beads shaped as shells and animals were produced widely in earlier times. By 300 BC, in the Hellenistic Age making colored jewelry and using amethysts, pearl, and emeralds was widespread. Cameos appeared created them from Indian Sardonyx, a striped brown pink and cream agate stone. As time progressed, the designs grew in complexity and different materials were soon used. The largest production of jewelry in these times came from Northern Greece and Macedonia. Much of the jewelry in Greece was made of gold and silver with ivory and gemstones. They worked two styles of pieces: cast pieces and pieces hammered out of sheet metal. In cast pieces, the two halves were then joined together, and wax, followed by molten metal, was placed in the centre. This technique had been practiced since the late Bronze Age. The more common form of jewelry was the hammered sheet type. Different techniques, such as using a stamp or engraving, were then used to create motifs on the jewelry.