Antique Jewelry - 1600BC to the Roman Empire

Since ancient times, gold has been following its bright golden color that many people believed in a spiritual or magical powers. 1600 in British Columbia on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the center of innovation in the work of gold and silver. Here, merchants from Turkey, Mesopotamia and Egypt meet. Jewels in the field of combined skills and techniques of different origin. But around 1500 BC Minoans dominated the Mediterranean trade, especially gold and silver. They have received gold from the Iberian peninsula (Spain) and sold in the Middle East. In addition, exports of gold jewelry worldwide. Goldsmith already in 2400 BC has been found in Minoan tombs. Mycenae on mainland Greece methods adopted Minoan gold, and finally conquered the Minoans.

Starting around 1000 BC, the Phoenicians spread of marine new styles throughout the ancient world. Their motives were obtained from the Egyptian model, but is interpreted differently and uses a lot of sand. About 800 BC Etruscans in Italy, is a powerful merchant marine power in the Mediterranean. As the Greeks knew a jeweler Phoenicians. The Etruscans lived in Iberia for the gold and became known for his work in filigree and granulation, in which they presented a scene of granulation together, rather than geometric patterns. The Etruscans introduced the coin at the beginning of the Romans, and gave them their religion. Finally, they were absorbed by Rome.

In the Hellenistic and Roman periods processing technology allows jewelers to use almost pure gold. Previously, it was used in its natural form, which contains up to 40% silver. Hellenistic and Roman gold rarely falls below 18 carats. Roman coins have been the source of almost pure gold, but were subsequently reduced.

In early Rome was the jewel in the luxury of official disapproval, but if Rome most of the Hellenistic world, accompanying former rigor disappeared quickly. The Romans were the first black, black sulfide, and began a new technology, the degradation of the samples with a chisel to create a lace pattern (opus interrasile). In 214BC the Romans conquered Iberia in search of gold. To do this means they have dug tunnels through the mountains until he broke down and diverts the rivers wash debris. Thus, they produce about 13,000 tonnes of metal per year. Nevertheless, they gave all their money on luxuries, and were from 300 AD to bankruptcy.