{"product_id":"rj2606","title":"A rare Roman Emerald Bead pendant, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 3rd century CE","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare Roman emerald bead pendant formed from a natural hexagonal emerald crystal, lightly polished and drilled in antiquity for suspension. The semi-opaque stone displays characteristic inclusions and tonal variations ranging from pale to deep green, preserving much of its original crystalline structure. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEarly Roman authors consistently referred to emeralds as coming from ancient mines in Egypt, near Sikait, about halfway between Luxor on the Nile River and the Roman-era port city of Berenike on the Red Sea. These mines supplied the Roman world with gemstones, prized for their \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003erarity and vivid color, and subsequently traded throughout the Mediterranean, Near East, and India.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike the faceted emeralds familiar today, ancient examples were often worn in their natural crystal form with only minimal shaping or polishing. This lovely, semi-opaque example is especially appealing for preserving its original six-sided structure and for the clear evidence of ancient drilling and use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMedium:\u003c\/b\u003e Emerald, gold \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e Bead length: 10 mm (0.4 inch) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e This is a rough cut semi-opaque emerald with inclusions and color variations - it is not like the emeralds we know today, but still very cool! Overall, it is in very good condition, and has been restrung on an adjustable 18-inch chain of 18K yellow gold. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/b\u003e Stuart Giles (1951-1993) private collection acquired in London between 1978 and 1982, then by family descent.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Keith Elliot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57948004679983,"sku":"RJ2606","price":1981.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0234\/5339\/files\/3037637f2802c35e01d605d1b7f75711.jpg?v=1778871060","url":"https:\/\/sandsoftimedc.com\/en-de\/products\/rj2606","provider":"Sands of Time Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}