The earliest jewelry ever worn by humans was made from shells. Across time, people have gathered and worn objects from the natural world to express beauty, identity, and meaning. In ancient times as today, jewelry carries the unique story of the person who wears it while at the same time connecting us through the shared human tradition of adornment.
Beads are the earliest form of human adornment. These tiny, beautiful objects have been worn, treasured, and traded since the beginning of human history, traveling across continents and millennia. Crafted in almost infinite variations of shape and size, beads were incredibly important in the ancient world.
The lunar crescent is one of the oldest motifs in jewelry, appearing continuously for more than 4,000 years. Over time, the symbol evolved as ancient traditions adapted to different contexts—symbolizing renewal and offering protection to wearers across centuries.
In Ancient Adornments, I write about the historical foundations of my work, drawing on archaeological research and traditional goldsmithing techniques to explore the history, symbolism, and craftsmanship of jewelry in the ancient Mediterranean world.