Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Cross with Ruby & Emerald

This double-sided cross is one of the most technically layered pieces in the Damaskos Byzantine collection. Each face presents a different gemstone — a natural ruby on one side, a natural emerald on the other — making it a piece that reads differently depending on how it is worn.

The cross is built in 18K gold using three distinct hand techniques: granulation, in which tiny spheres of gold are fused to the surface without solder to create texture and pattern; rope wire, in which strands of gold are twisted and applied as decorative border; and martillé, a hand-hammering method that leaves the gold with a faceted, velvety surface that catches light at every angle. The piece weighs 15.1 grams. The ruby and emerald are each set at 2.50 x 2.50 mm, and three natural pearls complete the composition. No two pieces are identical — the hand-forming process ensures each cross carries its own surface variation.

Damaskos is an Athenian atelier that has worked within the Byzantine goldsmithing tradition for decades, using techniques documented in pieces held by major archaeological museums. This cross is suited to both daily wear and special occasions — substantial enough to stand as a statement, restrained enough to layer with other pieces.