Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Cross with Square Ruby

This Byzantine cross pendant is defined by its surface work: hand-hammered for texture, then sandblasted to produce a controlled matte finish. A single square-cut ruby — 2.5 x 2.5 mm, totaling 0.11 carats — sits at the center, framed by granulation, the ancient technique of fusing tiny gold spheres to the surface without solder.

The cross is cast and finished in 18K gold. The hammered ground creates a subtle depth that catches light differently than a polished surface, while the granulation border follows a method traceable to Archaic Greek goldsmithing. Because each piece is shaped entirely by hand, weight varies slightly — approximately plus or minus 0.2 grams — a natural characteristic of handmade work, not a flaw. The ruby is natural stone, not treated or synthetic.

Damaskos is a Athens-based atelier with decades of continuous practice in Byzantine and ancient Greek goldsmithing techniques. This cross is scaled for everyday wear — compact enough to sit close to the collar, substantial enough to read as intentional. It works equally as a personal piece or as a considered gift for a significant occasion.