Ancient Roman Ring. Ribbed on outer face. Likely contains copper due to green patina. 

Diameter: 1 1/4 in. 

Ring Size: 12 1/2 (?)

#3962 . 

The first people to collect jewelry as we think of it today were the Ancient Romans. Although rulers of civilizations before them had hoarded gold and other precious stones to represent their power and shore up their resources, the advances in government, economics, and social delineations that the Romans achieved created a significant class of wealthy individuals, who began to accumulate items to demonstrate their wealth and significance to each other. Their Greek predecessors focused primarily on the production of high-quality metalwork by practiced artisans, but extensive control of Mediterranean territories provided an abundance of natural resources to utilize in jewelry making. Participation in trade allowed access to both semi-precious and precious stones that traveled down the Persian Silk Road from the East. Even people in lower classes were able to acquire some material wealth during this time, and variously styled pieces aimed at appealing to different genders first appeared as well. While much emphasis is placed on fine gold and silver pieces of antiquated jewelry, many pieces worn by lower social classes in Rome would have been made out of bronze or other less expensive metals. Unlike Ancient Greek jewelers, Roman manufacturers dealt primarily with mass-produced pieces created using molds and casting techniques, which also allowed more people to afford such accessories. Earrings and bracelets, though found in previous civilizations, first appeared in abundance, and took advantage of less heavy but equally beautiful materials like garnet, emeralds, jasper, and lapis that were imported from Egypt, while onyx, amber, and moonstone came to Rome from the Persian Gulf. Ostentatious and creative use of color was valued over fine metalwork, and massive advances in glassmaking made makers supposedly so skilled that they could fool the public into thinking that glass beads and ornaments were actually gemstones. When genuine gems were utilized, the stones preferred by Roman women were amethyst, emerald, and pearl. Many of the styles, concepts, and trends in jewelry that modern societies indulge in are directly descended from the precedents set by the Ancient Romans.