Roman Jewellery

Men - Rings were worn; generally, only one, but many ignored this rule and wore numerous rings, often on every finger. 

 

The ring held a specific purpose as it had the man’s seal on it. Documents were not signed in Roman times so the ring was used to seal the document, providing the authenticity of it. 

 

Rings for the wealthy were made of gold, for commoners (plebians) they were made of iron. 

 

Women - Many items of jewellery were worn including; 

 

 

These items were made of gold for wealthy women and included the use of precious and semiprecious stones including; sapphires, emeralds, turquoise, topaz, pearls, amethysts and garnets. 

 

The lower classes made their jewellery out of bronze, iron and bone and used glass beads as decoration. 

 

Children – An amulet or locket worn around the neck, given to them when they were very young to protect them and ward off evil spirits. 

 

Boys – A Bulla (Amulet) worn until they came of age at sixteen years old. 

 

Girls – A Lunula (Amulet) worn until the eve of their marriage.