Damaskos Byzantine 18K Gold Pendant with Sapphire & Ruby

This Byzantine pendant is defined by its martillé finish — a hand-hammered surface technique that gives the gold a soft, velvety texture distinct from polished or satin alternatives. The composition is classical in structure: twisted wire borders and granulation detailing frame a central sapphire and ruby, referencing goldsmithing traditions that predate the Byzantine period itself.

The pendant is handcrafted in 18K gold and weighs 9.30 grams. The martillé finish is worked entirely by hand, with each hammer strike calibrated to produce an even, matte-luminous surface. Twisted wire — fine strands of gold wound and applied individually — outlines the pendant’s form, while granulation, the technique of fusing tiny gold spheres to a surface without solder, adds precise decorative detail. The two stones, a natural sapphire and a natural ruby, measure 2.70mm each and are set by hand within the composition.

Damaskos is an Athens-based atelier with decades of practice in ancient and Byzantine goldsmithing techniques. Each piece is made to order by a small team of specialist craftspeople working in a single workshop. Lightweight enough for daily wear yet detailed enough to read as occasion jewelry, this pendant functions as both a personal object and a long-term piece — the kind that is passed down with context attached.