Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Constantinato Cross with Turquoise – Virgin Mary

The Constantinato is a double-sided 18K gold cross pendant with a specific purpose and a specific history. One face carries the inscription ‘ICXC NIKA’ — a Byzantine Christogram meaning ‘Jesus Christ conquers’ — set with a round turquoise stone. The reverse depicts the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child. The two sides are not decorative variations; they are a complete iconographic program, worn close to the body.

The pendant is finished with a sandblasted surface, which gives the gold a fine matte texture without diminishing its weight or presence. Sandblasting is applied after the piece is shaped, softening the reflectivity of the metal while preserving the clarity of the engraved and cast details. The piece is cast in 18K gold. The turquoise is set flush, consistent with the restrained surface treatment throughout.

The Constantinato has traditionally been given to newborns as a protective charm — it sits within a longer Greek tradition of devotional jewelry that carries cultural meaning beyond ornament. Damaskos works from an atelier in Athens, producing each piece through processes unchanged in their essentials for centuries. This pendant is appropriate for daily wear and is also available in additional stone varieties; contact Brilliant Athens for current options.