Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Earrings with Emeralds

These Byzantine earrings from Damaskos are built around a recurring tension in ancient Greek goldsmithing — structure and ornament held in precise balance. Each earring features two square emeralds flanked by four diamonds, framed by granulation and twisted rope wire in a composition drawn directly from Byzantine decorative tradition.

The construction relies on techniques that predate industrial jewelry-making by centuries. Granulation — the process of fusing tiny spheres of gold to a surface without solder — requires exact heat control and is executed entirely by hand. The twisted rope wire border is formed by spinning and shaping gold wire manually, a technique found in archaeological pieces across the ancient Mediterranean. The surface is finished with a martillé treatment: hand-hammered to produce a velvety, non-reflective texture that gives the gold depth rather than shine. Each earring weighs 10 grams, crafted in 18K gold. The emeralds measure 2.50 x 2.50mm each; the four diamonds measure 1.80mm each.

Damaskos is one of a small number of Athenian ateliers that maintains full production of these hand-techniques in-house. No part of the process is outsourced or mechanized. These earrings pair naturally with other pieces from the Damaskos Byzantine collection — including coordinating rings, bracelets, and necklaces — and are suited to both formal occasions and daily wear.