Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Pendant with Pearls

This Byzantine pendant centers on an oval ruby cabochon — 7x5mm — framed by pearls and set into 18K gold worked entirely by hand. The martillé finish gives the surface a velvety, hammered texture that absorbs and diffuses light differently from polished gold. It is that surface quality, combined with the scale of the piece, that makes it read as architectural rather than decorative.

The pendant is built using three distinct hand techniques: martillé hammering, which creates the characteristic soft-matte texture across the gold ground; granulation, the ancient process of fusing tiny gold spheres to a surface without solder; and twisted rope wire, coiled and applied by hand to define the borders and frame. These are not finishing touches — they are the structure of the piece. The gold is 18K. The ruby is a natural cabochon. Pearl and stone specifications vary by individual piece.

Damaskos is one of a small number of ateliers in Greece still working these techniques at this level of precision. The methods trace directly to Byzantine and Archaic goldsmithing traditions, practiced here without shortcuts or casting substitutes. This pendant is sized and finished for daily wear, but its construction — fully handworked, set with natural stone — places it in the category of pieces that are kept and passed on. Available with alternate stone types upon request; contact Brilliant Athens for options.