Jewelry crafts

Roman jewelry

Jewelry in Rome was more than a beauty outfit, it marked the social standing of a woman and a family. Still today, Rome is remembered as one of the driving forces for the development of jewelry. As the Empire was spanning across vast territories, Romans managed to collect influences of many conquered and neighboring civilizations, adapting it to their use and the use of future generations who came after them.

With their ability to access wide range of raw materials from their extensive resources across the continent and the knowledge of all civilizations that lived near them (Egyptians, Greeks, Celts and other northern European territories that they've conquered and came into contact), jewelry made during the height of Roman Empire is today considered to be of very high grade - both in art form and manufacturing processes. However, even with the abundance of various decorative items produced by their neighbors, roman population preferred to dress simple, and only few pieces of jewelry (mostly greatly influenced by Greek artisans) became popular.

One of the most popular jewelry of Roman time was brooch which was used to secure clothing together, and rings which were considered as one of the only pieces of jewelry that was acceptable to be worn by men (one on the hand, one on every finger or none at all). It was this fashion of carrying rings that gave the birth of "signet rings", specially made rings with engraved gems which were used to impress sigil of wearer's rank or family crest to the wax. In addition, Romans also used amulets, talismans, bracelets, earrings which were used to protect wearer from evil spirits and curses (evil eyes). Designs imprinted into many of their jewelry showed animals and coiling snakes (symbolizing immortality), and decorated with emerald and peridot imported from Egypt, carnelian, jasper, lapis lazuli, and onyx from Persia. In addition to them, diamonds and pearls were also held in high regard.

On our pages of The Roman Shop you will find everything you and your students need to create your own Roman jewelry.

Egyptian jewellery

Jewelery chains, such as the Pharaoh

Maybe you want to create your own Egyptian jewelry in your history or arts class. Then you are exactly right here!

Create your own Egyptian jewellery

You can purchase all necessary parts in our category of Teaching Material on Egypt. You will find not only beads and other decorative elements, such as stones, in various forms and colours, you will also get the cords - templates and models - and anything else you need.

In ancient Egypt most women wore jewellery, but it was also fashionable for senior male officials and of course even the Pharaoh to proudly show jewelry around their neck, their arms, legs or even on the head. Jewellery was made from a wide range of materials: beads, bones, egg shells, ivory, animal teeth, shells, copper, gold, stone, silver, semi-precious stones, bronze, glass or ceramic. Women had often lavish collars, headbands, earrings and arm tires. Amulets, which were worn by women and men, also had magical and protective functions. Jewelry made of gold, originally only the King was allowed to wear because among Egyptians it was regarded as the "meat of the Sun" and symbolized immortality.

Not only wealthy Egyptians wore jewelry! No matter whether rich or poor, the Egyptians had a great love for the ornamental: bangles, earring, necklaces, rings or crowns have been artfully made of gold and silver and decorated with ceramic and semi-precious stones. In addition, Egyptians used fragrances in big quantities for decoration and presentation. Embellishing your body with essential oils helped to prevent the skin not to dry up. What we may find odd today: At festivals, servants attached cones of scented fat on the heads of the guests so that in the heat of the feast the fat slowly melted and ran down over the faces. Yet, this was refreshing for people, scented and was probably fun too. You will surely find this or many more anecdotes about the ancient Egyptians which will help to make history more accessible and lively for your students. Moreover, when the students wear their hand-made Egyptian jewellery, they will better remember the content of your lessons beyond the tests.