| Jewelry (joias) is a fascinating fashion | | | | display of wealth and status. Women had no |
| accessory that has been popular from ancient | | | | obvious status distinction through their |
| times. It has played a variety of roles | | | | dress like Roman men. Therefore, hairstyles |
| including political, religious and | | | | and jewelry were the only distinction |
| ornamental, and jewelry artifacts have helped | | | | possible. The importance of jewelry to the |
| modern historians shape pictures of the daily | | | | status of women is apparent through certain |
| lives of ancient civilizations. Jewelry in | | | | historical events. When the Oppian law was |
| ancient Rome is no exception. There are | | | | passed in 195BC curbing the use of jewelry |
| literary accounts and pictorial depiction | | | | and suggesting it be handed over for war |
| such as in the Regina tombstone, plus an | | | | materials, women demonstrated against this in |
| abundance of other artifacts available that | | | | the streets. During the campaigns of Marcus |
| help us to understand the role jewelry played | | | | Curellius, women chose to donate their |
| during this fascinating time. Jewelry (joias) | | | | jewelry (joias) to get enough gold to send a |
| was worn by men and women though it was | | | | huge gold vase as an offering to Delphi. |
| subject to conventions of the time; | | | | Their behavior was rewarded with speeches at |
| particularly with regards to the appearance | | | | funerals which had previously been only for |
| of men. Male jewelry was typically practical | | | | men. The type and amount of jewelry worn by |
| in nature. Men usually wore a single ring. | | | | women varied, but the richest women were the |
| The ring would serve a functional purpose. | | | | most flamboyant in terms of amount and style. |
| Typically a signet ring, the male jewelry | | | | Amber jewelry (joias) was only worn by lower |
| item was used to seal official documentation. | | | | class women and was thought vulgar by the |
| The male signet ring was initially iron but | | | | wealthy who favored gold jewelry. Other items |
| was later produced in gold as it displayed | | | | used to make jewelry include pearls, colored |
| status and wealth more clearly. Other | | | | glass beads and polished stones. These would |
| practical uses of the signet ring included | | | | be inset in gold and would vary in size and |
| the inlay being a type of key for a strong | | | | style, depending upon status. It was possible |
| box. Literary evidence suggests that | | | | to tell a lot about a woman in ancient Rome |
| propriety regarding male jewelry (joias) was | | | | by the jewelry she wore. The types of jewelry |
| ignored by a minority of fashion fanatics, as | | | | worn include necklaces with adornments such |
| with any other social group. Trends and | | | | as pendants, amulets. Fibula which are |
| attitudes also changed from the time of | | | | similar to safety pins were used as fasteners |
| Emperor Augustus. The emperors were | | | | and so were often adorned to make them a |
| established with official state clothing | | | | piece of jewelry that was both function and |
| during his reign which included jewelry as a | | | | beautiful. Earrings were popular and came in |
| display of status and power. Jewelry also had | | | | both hoop and drop styles. Rings were usually |
| a protective function in ancient Rome. Boys | | | | inset with stones or carvings. Particularly |
| wore an item of jewelry known as a bullah. | | | | popular jewelry (joias) items were engraved |
| This was worn from being a baby. It was worn | | | | gems which were referred to as intaglio. |
| around the neck and was a form of chain with | | | | These were gems such as carnelian, jasper and |
| a pouch which contained an amulet. This was a | | | | chalcedony that had a sunken or engraved |
| jewelry item worn by most classes, but the | | | | image, created with the use of wheels and |
| rich upper class had bullahs made of gold. | | | | drills. Tomb jewelry findings suggest that |
| The amulet was often phallic in design, as | | | | bracelets were usually worn in pairs with one |
| boys were considered to be the stronger | | | | on each arm. Some tombs have revealed up to 7 |
| species and so needed protection. Another | | | | items of jewelry on each arm which shows how |
| jewelry (joias) item worn by boys was a small | | | | the conventions for men and women differed. |
| gold ring which was again carved with a | | | | Even gold thread hairnets have been |
| phallus for good luck With regards to women, | | | | discovered. |
| jewelry (joias) was first and foremost a | | | | |