Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Constantinato Cross Pendant – Double-Sided with Rubies

The Constantinato is one of the oldest continuous jewelry traditions in Greece — a cross-pendant historically presented to infants as a protective emblem and cultural rite of passage. This double-sided pendant renders that tradition in 18K gold, with the inscription ICXC NIKA (Jesus Christ conquers) on the front face and an engraved image of the Virgin Mary with Christ on the reverse.

The front is set with a central cubic zirconia and four round rubies measuring 1.80mm each, framed within a hand-finished cross form. The reverse face is sandblasted to a uniform matte finish — a surface treatment that absorbs rather than reflects light, giving the piece a quiet, considered presence against the skin. Total gold weight is approximately 2.1 grams at 18K purity. Every stage of production takes place in the Damaskos atelier in Athens.

Damaskos has worked within Byzantine and Archaic goldsmithing traditions for decades, treating ancient technique as a living discipline rather than a reference point. The Constantinato sits at the intersection of devotional object and everyday jewelry — worn close to the body, passed between family members, and legible to those who know its history. Also available in all gold without stone setting.