Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Cross with Square Ruby & Diamonds

This Byzantine cross pendant is built around a single motif executed with restraint: a martillé-finished 18K gold body set with one natural square ruby and four brilliant-cut diamonds. The design avoids ornament for its own sake — the texture, the stone placement, and the granulation do the work.

The martillé finish is achieved by hand-hammering the gold surface with a small punch, creating a uniform dimpled texture that diffuses light softly rather than reflecting it sharply. Granulation — the application of tiny gold spheres fused to the surface — traces the cross arms and anchors the composition. The center stone is a natural ruby measuring 2.50×2.50mm. The four surrounding diamonds measure 1.80mm each, totaling 0.08ct. The cross is cast and finished in 18K gold. As with all Damaskos pieces, weight may vary slightly — approximately ±0.2g — because each piece is made entirely by hand.

Damaskos is an Athenian atelier whose work draws directly from Byzantine and ancient Greek goldsmithing traditions. The techniques used here — martillé, granulation, hand-setting — have remained largely unchanged for centuries. This cross is suited to daily wear or meaningful occasions, and is constructed to be passed on.