Gem Lore

Roman Emerald Traditions: Nero's Emerald Monocle

Roman Emerald Traditions: Nero's Emerald Monocle

Explore Roman emerald traditions — Nero's famous emerald monocle and its historical interpretation, Cleopatra's Mines as the primary Roman emerald source, the harsh conditions of Roman emerald mining, emerald's healing...

Roman Emerald Traditions: Nero's Emerald Monocle

Explore Roman emerald traditions — Nero's famous emerald monocle and its historical interpretation, Cleopatra's Mines as the primary Roman emerald source, the harsh conditions of Roman emerald mining, emerald's healing...

Pliny the Elder & Gemstones: Natural History Guide

Pliny the Elder & Gemstones: Natural History Guide

Explore Pliny the Elder and gemstones — his Natural History as the most comprehensive ancient gem encyclopedia, his methodology combining description with anecdote and commercial valuation, accounts of the diamond's...

Pliny the Elder & Gemstones: Natural History Guide

Explore Pliny the Elder and gemstones — his Natural History as the most comprehensive ancient gem encyclopedia, his methodology combining description with anecdote and commercial valuation, accounts of the diamond's...

Roman Signet Rings: Gemstone Seal Traditions

Roman Signet Rings: Gemstone Seal Traditions

Explore Roman signet rings — the evolution from iron to gold rings reflecting Roman social history, gemstone materials and their symbolic meanings, famous rings of Caesar and Augustus, the Roman...

Roman Signet Rings: Gemstone Seal Traditions

Explore Roman signet rings — the evolution from iron to gold rings reflecting Roman social history, gemstone materials and their symbolic meanings, famous rings of Caesar and Augustus, the Roman...

Roman Gemstone Engraving: Cameo & Intaglio Art

Roman Gemstone Engraving: Cameo & Intaglio Art

Explore Roman gemstone engraving — the great imperial cameos including the Gemma Augustea, intaglio seals as instruments of Roman legal life, materials of Roman gem engraving including nicolo and glass...

Roman Gemstone Engraving: Cameo & Intaglio Art

Explore Roman gemstone engraving — the great imperial cameos including the Gemma Augustea, intaglio seals as instruments of Roman legal life, materials of Roman gem engraving including nicolo and glass...

Roman Gemstone Trade: Empire-Wide Commerce

Roman Gemstone Trade: Empire-Wide Commerce

Explore Roman gemstone trade — Egypt as gem producer and conduit, the Roman maritime trade with India for diamonds rubies and sapphires, the Baltic amber route and Nero's amber expedition,...

Roman Gemstone Trade: Empire-Wide Commerce

Explore Roman gemstone trade — Egypt as gem producer and conduit, the Roman maritime trade with India for diamonds rubies and sapphires, the Baltic amber route and Nero's amber expedition,...

Roman Gemstone Symbolism: Power, Status & Gods

Roman Gemstone Symbolism: Power, Status & Gods

Explore Roman gemstone symbolism — Jupiter and the royal gems of imperial power, Mars and the warrior's red stones, Venus and emerald pearl beauty, Mercury and Minerva's wisdom stones, and...

Roman Gemstone Symbolism: Power, Status & Gods

Explore Roman gemstone symbolism — Jupiter and the royal gems of imperial power, Mars and the warrior's red stones, Venus and emerald pearl beauty, Mercury and Minerva's wisdom stones, and...