A pair of Roman amethyst bead drop earrings, Roman Imperial Period, ca. 1st - 2nd century CE

This pair of light purple transluscent amethyst beads were hand-carved and polished by an ancient Roman artisan 2,000 years ago. They have been converted into a pair of drop earrings strung from gold link chains and attached to 14K gold clasps to create a stunning blend of modern and ancient! The name of this exquisite purple quartz crystal comes from the Greek word "amethystos" that literally translates as “remedy against drunkenness”.  

In antiquity, this stone was believed to keep the wearer sober no matter how much wine he might consume. All the great ancient civilizations valued the gem, it was particularly popular in Egypt for scarabs and in Greece and Rome for intaglio rings. Because of its wine-dark color and its use to prevent intoxication, many were carved with the head of the wine god Dionysus.

The oldest known stone in the Crown Jewels of England is an amethyst, first worn in the 11th century by Edward the Confessor. Even today, the rings of high-ranking ecclesiastics often have amethysts as their center stones. Many wonderful and therapeutic properties are ascribed to the gem: it can cure gout, it cleanses the body of impurities, it keeps the mind clear and alert and improves the memory, it gives the wearer pleasant dreams and keeps them immune from infection and contagious diseases. 

Medium: Amethyst

Dimensions: Bead length: 1/2 inch (1.27 cm). Earring drop length: 3/4 inch (1.9 cm)

Condition: The beads are overall intact and in very good condition, they are mounted as earrings using 14K gold ear posts and chain.

Provenance: Private NY collection, acquired from Sumer Gallery, NYC., in the 1980s.

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