Ancient Jewellery

Ancient jewellery is any piece that was created before 500 AD, including the Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman periods. The high level of craftsmanship used to create these pieces means the breathtaking designs from thousands of years ago are still able to be worn and enjoyed today.

Ancient jewellery featured a plethora of different pieces, from ancient engagement rings, necklaces and pendants to earrings and brooches. Many pieces, such as brooches, were a combination of both a practical and a decorative item, being used to fasten clothing as well as being an adornment. This was also the case for dress pins. Earrings were one of the most popular types of ancient jewellery, featuring intricate designs, gemstones and coloured glass beads, making their rare survival all the more impressive.

As a result of its malleability and value, gold was often a favoured material for ancient jewellery, throughout the Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras. The use of gold was often paired with coloured glass beads, gemstones and pearls, to create exceptionally intricate designs. For those unable to afford gold jewellery, silver and base metals were also used.

Ancient jewellery was made using techniques such as repoussé which involved hammering metals into shape and granulation, utilising more rudimentary tools than exist today. Indeed, this is what makes the quality and intricacy of these pieces so breathtaking.

We would advise that you have ancient jewellery professionally cleaned, as although they are wearable, they can be delicate. At Berganza, we offer a complimentary annual cleaning service for life, so you can make sure that your ancient jewellery remains in immaculate condition. If you do wish to clean your ancient jewellery at home we recommend using a soft, dry, microfibre cloth to remove any dust.